Styling Your Paithani Saree for Different Occasions

It can be said quite literally that India is a treasure trove of fashion. One of the earlier examples of this is the Paithani sarees, which were originally woven with pure gold wire, interspersed with cotton and silk. Along with the Kanjeevaram saree, it was the Paithani that was called the ‘garment of the Gods’. 

While the Paithani sarees were mostly worn by royalty due to their grandeur and expense, it has become more accessible over the years while still holding the same regality. 

The modern Paithani sarees do not employ the use of cotton thread at all. They consist only of silk and zari. Needless to say, their beauty and elegance make them a coveted choice for various occasions of importance. 

In the following article, let us take a look at the different ways in which a Paithani saree can be worn, to fit the scale of the celebration and the event.

Traditional Ceremonies And Weddings

Nothing brings tradition and heritage to an Indian wedding as a decadent Paithani saree accentuated by beautiful jewels. 

The tonal gradation of the fabric is best complemented by traditional temple jewellery. That look is a blend of Maharashtrian elegance and South Indian grandeur, one that people will never forget for years to come. 

Another way to style the Paithani sarees is with gemstone studded ornaments in complementary colours. Emeralds look beautiful with pink and red tones while diamonds are a classic that look especially radiant on lighter colours. 

Rubies and sapphires are slightly more tricky. They must either be worn with sarees of a similar colour or create a complete contrast with much lighter shades. 

Draping Styles to keep in mind

1.Dhoti Style Draping

The Paithani sarees are Maharashtra’s pride and they are a vision in elegance when draped in the intended dhoti style with the pallu falling off the back. 

2.Peshwai Nauvari Style Draping

This is when the dhoti style draping is highlighted with multiple pleats rising horizontally on the saree. This was popular amongst the nobility and while it is more time-taking than the traditional dhoti style, it is preferred for more auspicious occasions. 

3.Contemporary Draping

This is the most commonly seen saree drape with the pallu cascading down the shoulders and the pleats contained around the waist. This is a classic drape and allows the wearer to leave the pallu open or pin it up after pleating, as per comfort and preference. 

4.Gujarati style of Draping

This is a style that best highlights the beauty of the Paithani sarees’ pallu, with their intricate zari work and the detailed motifs. 

Festivals And Religious Events

The rules of styling a Paithani saree for festivals and religious events are similar to that of a wedding or other traditional ceremonies.

However, it helps to keep in mind that some colours are considered auspicious for certain festivals. Green and yellow are loved during Ugadi or Lohri while bright blue or emerald tones may seem more apt for Janmashtami. 

There are also some other things one must keep in mind to enjoy the festivals while making an effective statement with the Paithani saree. 

• Wear comfortable footwear. You may need to help around the house or socialise with other guests and that needs you to stay on your feet for a few hours. Do not wear shoes that will tire you out. 
• If you are wearing heels,  make sure that they are not visible from under your saree. 
• Be very careful with your choice of jewellery. Any sharp edges can get caught in the threads of your saree, potentially damaging it. 
• When choosing your makeup, consider whether you will be indoors in an air-conditioned environment or outdoors, in a garden, for the event. The heat can affect your makeup, in which case, it is better to go with a light base held in place with ample setting spray. 
• Coming to handbags, a potli will look excellent with the traditional composition of your attire. You may also opt for an artfully bedazzled clutch to go with your saree. 

Casual And Everyday Wear

It is hard to restrict oneself from wearing the beautiful Paithani sarees everyday. While the garment does paint the picture of royalty every time it is donned, there are ways to adapt its beauty to a more casual look for daily wear. 

• Choose lighter colours that won’t dominate the room with their presence. 
• In case your Paithani saree is of a darker shade, minimal jewellery and a simple hair do can make it more easy on the eyes. 
• A sleek ponytail, open hair or in some cases, a messy bun, are the perfect everyday hairstyles to accompany a Paithani sarees. 
• For jewellery, choose a simple gold band around your hands or a thin chain for your neck, to keep the look casual. When it comes to earrings, simple studs or drops are preferable. 

Evening Parties And Social Gatherings

When it comes to evening parties and social gatherings, a Paithani sarees needs to be accessorised a little more than your casual wear but a lot less than for weddings or auspicious celebrations. 

• Layering a few simple neckpieces is one of the current trending styles that takes the look from simple to occasion-worthy, while still keeping it subtle. 
• The key for such occasions is to balance the jewellery. If your earrings are the statement piece, go easy with the hand and neck jewellery. Similarly, if you are wearing a heavy necklace, don’t crowd your look with equally heavy earrings. 
• When you want your saree to be the highlight of your look, the rest of  your jewellery needs to complement it, not take the attention away from it. 
• An important style tip is to remove one accessory from your look before you leave the house. It makes sure one is not overdressed and strikes a good balance with the different elements of the look. 

Mixing Traditional And Contemporary Styles

One of the best things about Indian fashion is the plethora of styling opportunities it offers. We have discussed jewellery, draping styles, makeup and footwear at length in the above sections. But below are some more tips and tricks from Brand Mandir’s styling diaries that help you bring the best of traditional and contemporary styling to your Paithani wardrobe-

1.Nail Colours- Choose a nail colour that is in line with your saree’s colours and the jewellery you choose to wear. If your look is composed of bright colours, choosing a nude nail colour is a good option. However, an ombre look may allow you more freedom of choice with the colours. 

Similarly, an element of gold or silver on your nails can give them a festive look. 

2.Hair Accessories– When it comes to constructing a look, we often forget how important a role hair accessories can play in adding that one special element that brings it all together. 

Try using a simple maang tika instead of heavy earring or neckpieces. 

Similarly, a heavy matha patti without additional jewellery is a masterstroke of styling that people will want to recreate for a long time to come. 

3.Flowers– Taking notes from the recent wedding of Radhika Merchant and Anant Ambani, flowers can be the highlight of your look. While they are traditionally used in hair styling, adding them to your clothes for weddings brings a lot of beauty and grace to the overall outfit. 

Conclusion

Wearing a Paithani sarees is no less than owning a piece of Indian heritage,  the kind that has often made the world stop and stare at its beauty. The saree goes beautifully well with traditional Indian styling but is versatile enough to be worn in more contemporary ways. Take your time choosing and styling a Paithani sarees because each time you wear it, the saree presents itself with a different kind of beauty. 

FAQs

1.What are traditional draping styles for a Paithani sarees?

The Paithani sarees can be worn in a contemporary drape or in a dhoti style Maharashtrian drape. A Gujarati drape with the pallu in front will highlight the most beautiful part of the saree. 

2.How can I style a Paithani sarees for a wedding?

If you are a wedding guest, the saree would look best with some traditional jewellery and simple makeup.

If you are a bride, then the Paithani sarees would be accompanied by heavy ornaments and depending upon your preference, some flowers or a matha patti in your hair. If you choose a darker shade of lipstick, it is better to keep the rest of the makeup mellow. In case you choose a natural lip shade, smoky eyes would be an excellent addition to your look.