Silken Gifts that Bewitch and Bedazzle with their Beauty

Shopping for that perfect silk saree, which will highlight your assets to maximum effect, is not easy. After all, the occasion is special, and you would like your personality to appear gracefully traditional, as well as elegantly modern! Fortunately, silk sarees are timeless garments, which have sustained over the years, and will sustain over the future too. You might like to check out the most popular varieties in India, and see which suits you best.

1. Bhagalpuri Silk

When Tussar silk yarn is tied-and-dyed through a unique technique, Bhagalpuri silk is born. The talented weavers of Jharkhand are responsible for producing this type of saree, which is suitable for both, casual and formal wear.

2. Chanderi Silk

Madhya Pradesh weavers create sarees with a luxurious texture and lightweight smoothness from silk cotton and Chanderi cotton. Therefore, you may purchase Chanderi cotton, Chanderi silk cotton or Chanderi pure silk sarees in alignment with the occasion. This could be a simple date, a semi-formal event or a formal affair.

3. Coimbatore Silk

The natives of Tamil Nadu refer to this saree as Kovai Cora cotton saree. Traditional silk yarn and high-quality cotton yarn come into play here. The body of the saree is prepared first, using a variety of coloured threads. The border is added later. Such a saree is excellent for attending religious affairs and ethnic events.

4. Crepe Silk

You will enjoy the light-as-a-feather feel of a crisp saree, for it keeps you comfortable for a long duration. Created from synthetic, silk or woollen fibres, a crepe saree proves great for both, casual outings and formal parties/lunches. You do not even need too many accessories to highlight its charm.

5. Dharmavaram Silk

A town by the same name in Andhra Pradesh produces this hand-woven saree. Since brides love to wear this combination of mulberry silk and zari threads during the wedding, the traditional colours remain maroon and yellow, which display heavy embroidery patterns beautifully! Other hues come into play for other occasions. The borders are gold plated, with artwork imprints on them. The patterns and motifs may be gold-plated too, exhibiting religious symbols highlighted in temples and diverse places of worship.

6. Kanjeevaram/Kanchipuram Silk

The brides of Tamil Nadu, from where this saree originates, and from other South Indian states, love to don this very expensive garment on their special day! Considering, that, the fabric itself is thick and pure gold zari threads come into play, the saree is quite heavy in wear. Contrasting patterns on the pallu and the body of the saree suffice to grant the wearer a bewitchingly elegant and aristocratic look. Further highlights are the intricate motifs, displaying figures of various flora and fauna, as well as inanimate things. 

In contemporary times, lightweight zari threads created from metal and copper have also entered the picture. Similarly, contrast colours may show up in the body and the pallu.

7. Kerala Silk

It is easily recognisable by its cream colour and golden border. During the Buddhist era, this saree was renowned as Mundum Neryathum. Today, we call it Kerala Kasavu saree. The border retained its golden appearance on white or off-white sarees, all the way to the 1970s, since the saree was meant for weddings or formal occasions in Kerala. Today, diverse types of zari threads are replacing the gold borders, such that you may wear the saree at parties and get-togethers too. 

8. Matka Silk

The wastes of Mulberry silk (Bombyx Mori silk moth) from the states of Kashmir and Karnataka are converted into Matka silk. Weavers in the Murshidabad and Malda districts in West Bengal, spin the yarn. The thickness of this silk varies in alignment with the quantity of yarn brought into play. Apart from the fact that the pricing is quite economical, women prefer this silk for its unique combination of lightness in weight, strength in fibres and texture that is akin to tweed fabric.  

9. Mysore Silk

Oh, this silk is aristocracy personified! It is light in weight, wonderfully easy to drape around the body, lustrous in looks and soft to the touch! Noble women of earlier days were terribly fond of the rich texture and zari embellishments adorning plain backgrounds displaying solid colours. However, in contemporary times, checks, small borders and pallus in contrasting colours have made an entry too. This enables you to use the saree for luncheon parties, office events, traditional outings, etc. 

10. Pochampally Silk

The weavers of Bhoodan Pochampally, Telangana, create the lightweight Pochampally saree.
It exhibits the traditional style of geometric patterns even today, with the ikat style of dyeing coming into play. If you desire to wear it for a celebration, you might go in for a heavier variety, matching it with gold jewellery.

11. Soft Silk

In this case, cost-effective, synthetic fabrics are utilised for designing lightweight garments. Even the zari threads are not pure silver or pure gold. Regardless, you will love the feel and charm of this silk saree, for it is a perfect duplicate of an original silk saree. You may use it for a grand wedding, or for mere travel!

12. South Cotton Silk

As the name suggests, it is highly popular in South India. Both cotton and silk are used for creating the saree. Therefore, you are welcome to use it for daily wear, casual affairs or formal events. In fact, it is perfect for humid weather!

13. Tussar Silk

The silk is not very durable, thanks to the fibres, which are shorter than the ones you find in Mulberry silk. However, the texture is better in comparison. The gold colour of this silk is wonderfully natural, making it perfect for wedding wear. However, you will have to clean, maintain and store this delicate material very carefully. If stored in a muslin cloth, you may use it for other celebratory events too.

Summary

The choice of silk sarees for diverse occasions is overwhelming indeed! Each variety has its own charm and uniqueness. Maybe, it would be best to begin a collection of these silk sarees!