In her new collection of bridal wears, fashion designer Kushboo Dangol of Kusbhoo’s collection at Mangal Bazar in Lalitpur has included ready-to-wear saris. “It’s the current demand,” says the 24 year old designer about this particular breed and adds, “Ready-to-wear saris are much easier to sport and less time consuming to wear.”
Embellished with heavy embroideries and intricately sequined borders, ready-to-wear saris are have been modified to meet the demands of the changing trend — from pockets being added to them to petticoats being replaced by trousers.
”Indian soap-operas heavily influence the sari trend,” informs Raj Shrestha of Belleza Klothes at Durbar Marg.
Two major details in the revolution of this six yard long piece of cloth are the pleats that go in the front and the pallus, the loose end of the sari that hang from the shoulder till the waistline.“Pleats and pallus are the most annoying part of saris,” says a 23 year old Bhintuna Jyapoo. The risk of pleats and pallus falling off during a party can be quite daunting, especially for young girls who have little experience wearing and walking in a heavy sari. Therefore, readymade saris are quite helpful for beginners.
Anyone unacquainted with the basics of draping a sari, in a manner which suits her body, can ask a boutique nearby to get the details stitched together and prevent major wardrobe malfunctions. “Saris with pre-stitched details are becoming the favorites of the mass,” says Kushboo. “Simple stitched saris with brocade blouses have gained much attraction as well.”
According to Raj, ready-to-wear saris, which are imported from India, have sold out at Belleza Klothes with the wrapping up of the wedding season. “Women, mainly of the younger lot, who want to save themselves from the hassle of making pleats and figuring out the length of pallus, are shifting their attentions to pre-stitched saris,” says Raj.
There are two versions of such saris available in the local market—while one requires draping the other does not. Both of the designs have pre-stitched pleats and pallus but what differentiates them from each other is the length.
The ones which do not require draping are like long skirts with pleats in the front and the wearer just needs to adjust the zippers which are usually fixed at the back or on the side, as per one’s wishes. Nonetheless, both types are worn over petticoats like regular saris.
“These saris are especially helpful for new brides, who have to wear saris regularly to different functions of a marriage ceremony, and are not in the habit of fixing one on their own,” says Kushboo.
These ready-to-wear versions of saris have also gained quite a space in the closets of foreigners. Anjana Maharjan of Grace says that the demand for such saris is more from the foreigners’ side. “We advise them to get readymade saris because most of them are unaware about the basics of draping it,” shares Anjana.
sumina@myrepublica.com