The Saree or Sari is one of the world’s oldest unstitched garments and an important part of the Indian woman’s wardrobe. Five to nine yards in length, this traditional attire is elegantly wrapped around the body and makes for a stunning style statement for wedding and festive occasions, parties and even as everyday wear. 

Buying a saree though can be a complex affair, with the variety of fabrics, weaves from various states and the designs and styles to choose from. But no worries there, as we’ve put together a brief and handy guide for you to pick up your favourite saree from PeeliKothi.com.

Are you ready? Let’s do this then!

What are the occasions and time?

Wedding and Festive Occasions

These are the times to celebrate the happiest moments in elegant style. Without a doubt, you should be looking at your traditional best. Choose a rich silk saree with intricate work like the Banarasi, Kanjeevaram, Patola or the heavy Tussar for these special events. For a wedding reception though, chiffon, georgette or linen with beautiful embroidery and bling can make quite a statement.

Work, Day Events & Parties

Every day is an opportunity to take on the world. Complement your free spirit and unique personality with an enchanting saree. Choose a Dhakai for its subtle elegance, the Kalamkari for its art and simplicity, an eye-catching Chanderi, or the Kantha for its thread-work. For casual events and all day long comfort, there’s nothing quite like the tie & dye beauty of the Bandhani and Lahariya, or simply step out in a bright and cool Lucknowi Chikankari saree. 

Colour Tip: Day Light & Dark Night

The Saree is meant to flatter your physique and make you look gorgeous, be it a day time event or an evening party. Though keep in mind that light colours work best during the day and darker shades are perfect for the night.

Know Your Peeli Kothi Saree

Banarasi 

The Banarasi is a timeless silk saree that was originally woven for royalty with real gold and silver threads. Their metallic zari or rich brocade work, fine silk fabric, decorative motifs and intricate detailing have made them the preferred bridal sarees in North India. 

Kanjeevaram

The majestic Kanjeevaram silk saree from Tamil Nadu in South India is renowned for its amazing weaves, contrasting colours and soft finish. Distinguished by its wide contrast borders, Kanjeevram sarees are woven with heavy silk and gold yarns, with many patterns inspired from temples, palaces, and paintings.

Tussar

Made in the Eastern states of India, sarees of Tussar silk, also known as Wild Silk, are famous for their rich texture and natural gold sheen. The most breathable of all silks, Tussars are considered to be all-weather drapes and are known for their beautiful motifs and embroidery work.

Kosa

Kosa is a version of Tussar silk and is famous for its soft texture and purity. Originating from Chattisgarh, Kosa silk sarees have a dull golden brownish appearance, which adds to their appeal. This shiny and lustrous saree is also available naturally in shades of honey, tawny, beige and cream, which makes it perfect for that traditional look.

Patola

The Patola silk saree is made in Patan, Gujarat and is a woven, double ikat drape. Patola- weaving is a closely guarded tradition practised by only three families in India. These highly prized sarees involve a very intricate and complex tie-dye process before weaving, and their designs have remained unchanged for centuries

Chanderi

The lightweight and elegant Chanderi from Madhya Pradesh is created by weaving silk and golden zari together in the cotton yarn. Among the finest sarees in India, the Chanderi comes in a wide variety of patterns, including traditional coin, floral art, peacocks and geometric designs.  

Dhakai

Originated in Dhaka, Bangladesh, the Dhakai is considered to be one of the finest varieties of hand-woven muslin. It is also known as Dhakai Jamdani after the beautiful and intricate floral patterns found in Dhakai art. These breathable sarees are generally devoid of metallic work and exude subtle elegance. 

Kantha

Kantha is one of the oldest forms of Indian embroidery from West Bengal. The unique Kantha saree is woven on a cotton or Tussar silk and has running stitches creating striking motifs of animals, flowers, birds and geometrical shapes. This form of stitching lends a wrinkled and wavy effect to the saree.  

Kalamkari

Deriving its name from the Persian word Kalam (Pen) and Kari (Craftsmanship), the Kalamkari saree has beautiful hand paintings drawn on cotton as well as silk, using natural dyes. Involving 23 tedious steps, Kalamkari sarees are also made by a block printing process with motifs ranging from flowers and peacocks to divine characters of Hindu epics. 

Bandhani

Bandhani, is a tie and dye method practised mainly in Rajasthan, Gujarat and parts of Uttar Pradesh. The Bandhani saree is truly a piece of art where the fabric is tied tightly with a thread at several points and is then dyed to produce a variety of patterns, including dots, waves, stripes and squares.

Lahariya

Ajrakh Modal

Crafted by the Khatri community in Ajrakhpur and Kutch Gujarat, the Ajrakh Modal saree is block-printed and resist-dyed using natural dyes, like indigo and madder (red dye). The super soft and lightweight Modal fabric is printed with complex floral and geometric patterns on both sides to create one of the most gorgeous sarees of India.    

Kashida

Kashida embroidery is part of Kashmiri culture and portrays the nature of Kashmir in its intricate work like birds, flowers, creepers, Chinar leaves and trees. The enchanting Kashida saree has these traditional motifs woven into the fabric with threads of gold, silver and other metallic colours.

Chikankari

The Chikankari saree originates from Lucknow in Uttar Pradesh and involves delicate and artistic hand embroidery on a variety of fabrics like muslin, cotton, silk, chiffon and organza. Each and every stitch of the saree is done to perfection in white thread and also in an array of colours to give a detailed richness to the drape. 

Bhujodi

Bhujodi Sarees get their name from the Bhujodi village of weavers in Kutch, Gujarat. Made using cotton and silk fabrics the Bhujodi saree patterns are reimagined designs of the shawls that these artisans used to weave for generations. Each saree is a stylish creation with some having mirror work and tassels on the pallus.

Kota Cotton

The Kota or Kota Doria saree from Kota, Rajasthan is a unique blend of silk and cotton fabrics – cotton adds strength to the saree while silk adorns it with a classy shine. The distinguishing feature of the Kota sarees is its remarkable weave that gives it a checkered pattern known as Khat. 

South Cotton

Cotton sarees from South India are a must-have as they drape easily and are cool and comfortable to wear. Adorned with striking patterns in vibrant hues, these sarees are known to be very strong, durable and weather-proof because of the tight weaving technique the weavers use.