Heritage Handloom – New Cotton Saree for Jadhavgadh Trip
My recent trip to one of the Historical places near Pune, Fort Jadhavgadh has been a real memorable one! As you could already see on my Instagram Stories. The heritage place has its own charismatic charm. And, while deciding on what to wear at this masterpiece of history, I could only think of another historic paragon in Ethnic Clothing, the Handloom Saree! A handloom Bengal Cotton Saree was a perfect pick for the Heritage Fort hotel. The Khadi or Bengali Saree (made of Bengal Cotton) is a hand-woven linen saree in checks or plaid. I had bought a new cotton saree a year ago in pink and blue, and never had the chance to stitch a Blouse for it. Leave alone wearing the new Bengal cotton saree, my saree hadn’t even seen the light of Day.
What to wear to Heritage site
So when for an impromptu trip to Jadhavgadh Fort, a heritage hotel near Pune; I decided I would wear my new cotton saree. The first question that came to my mind was how to wear a cotton saree while on a day trip? Cotton sarees are notoriously known for not staying in place and difficult to drape. So with a three year old kid tagging along, how to drape a cotton saree in a restaurant washroom? (Fashion Bloggers smiling inwardly, we do that all the time right?) However I did not want to miss a chance of flaunting a Handloom Saree at a Heritage Place! So here is what I did.
Handloom Saree Trend
How to wear Cotton Saree?
How to wear a Cotton Saree
I wore my cotton saree at home before hand, in the drape I thought would complement the historic place, and ironed the pleats while I was inside the saree. You may ask how? An easy way to have perfect pleats for cotton saree is to use a hair straightener rod. I heated the hair straightener and then switched the power off. Then taking the pleats together in my hand, I first pinned them with a small safety pin and one by one straightened the pleats with the rod. Easy Peasy! This sorted my question of How to wear a cotton saree in a jiffy?
Bengal Cotton Saree Drape
Perfect pleats for Cotton Saree
Next thing was to fold it for travel. So I pinned both the Pallu pleats and the front pleats with a safety pin and then folded the saree taking care the pleats stuck together. Now all I had to do while draping the cotton saree in washroom was to open it and tuck it in the petticoat. If I got a dry washroom that is (luckily I did! yay!)
The Cotton Saree Drape – Maharani Drape
Maharani drape for Cotton Saree – Back look
How to drape cotton Saree
For all those wondering this is a front pallu drape inspired by Bengali Saree drape. Its also called the Maharani style drape or the modern take on Gujarati Saree. Here unlike the Gujarati drape the pallu is not tucked on your left but rather left open in pleats and also a longer than normal version of pallu is taken. This drape gives a sense of Royalty, especially in a crisply pleated cotton saree, hence the name.
How to wear cotton saree in front pallu style
Bengal cotton Saree
Modern Cotton Saree Blouse
Now the Saree drape in place, The next question that popped was what to wear with cotton saree as blouse. Since I had not stitched the blouse yet. I decided I would pair my plain turquoise Blue Crop top to pair with this cute pink and blue handloom saree and I really liked how this Indo-western remix of Crop top with Saree turned out to be!
Cotton Saree Blouse – Crop Top
A modern way to wear your Cotton Saree would be to replace your cotton saree blouse with something funkier like a crop top, a bell sleeves saree blouse or a knotted plaid shirt! This gives an edge to the traditional attire and a boho feel to your outfit. I always like outfits that are traditional yet contemporary and this Crop Top with Cotton Saree look served both the purpose successfully.
Simple cotton saree blouse design – Crop Top
How to wear cotton saree with crop top?
Cotton Saree Restyle with Crop Top Blouse
Ethnic Bohemian Accessories – Banjara Purse and Juti
Royal look Accessories
Keeping in the regalia of the look, I accessorized with some boho ethnic jewellery (my navratri stash), an oxidized Silver peacock pendent neck-piece with matching oxidized earrings and few shiny silver bangles. A Banjara style Kutcchi Embroidery purse from Rajasthan and embroidered Rajasthani juti complete my look. Oh and those Blue beach sunglasses for the dabang style! (Also because I had an Eye infection :P) My makeup consists only of a pink blush and Raspberry colour lipstick.
Ethnic Boho Accessories
Traditional Banjara Purse and Jooti
On a Royal Pursuit
If you guys love how I styled my cotton handloom saree for this heritage fort visit of Jadhavgadh, do share your views in the comments below. Also find below the outfit details in case you would like to buy this exact same saree, I bought it online from amazon a year ago (Not Sponsored!)
Royal Maharani Saree look
Cotton Saree with Crop Top
Handloom Saree for Jadhavgadh fort visit
Outfit Details –
Blue Crop Top – StalkBuyLove Blue Crop Top (Preloved and posted about in 2015)
Pink Blue Cotton Saree – DIEGO Women’s Linen Cotton Saree
Banjara Clutch Purse – Ethnic Shop, Baroda
Rajasthani Jooti – Wassup Flea Market, Pune.
