Getting ready in tropical summers is equivalent to mastering rocket science. Thus sarees take a back seat in our wardrobes...but hey!! how about those ethnic functions you have to attend. You surely don't want to turn up in jeans and tee....and what if you are a sareeholic like us...can you avoid the six yards just because its hot outside! Albeit not...Fabrics like cotton, linen and mul are your god send to save you from the heat. Thus here's a post on how to look cool and be comfortable in a Khadi cotton and not to melt away in a saree.

Wearing this red and white khadi cotton saree which has this beautiful stripe weaves all along. Am told by the seller that its called a "jharna" or waterfall weave saree. It has a contrast green anchal and blouse. The pom pom in the border and anchal adds a cute dimension to the saree. I designed the blouse to be a boat collared one with blue piping and show buttons at the back. It adds a stylish angle to the simple outfit.

Paired a wooden tribal neckpiece with the saree. As the saree was very light and simple, the heavy jewelry kept a nice balance. But if you want you can totally do without heavy jewelry to beat the heat. I did put a bright summery red lip color to bind the whole look together.

What I Wore

Saree: Dushtu Mishti Boutique , Sreerampur, Hooghly, India
Necklace: Bought at International Trade Fair 2018, Kolkata

I hope you enjoyed the look and found some inspirations. If you have liked this look and feel inspired, then please share this post right now with your friends on Instagram and  Facebook. If you want to read our last summer post click here. Leave us a comment or two below so that we know our effort was worth it.

Pohela Boishakh is almost upon us and celebrating this traditional festival to herald in the Bengali New Year has become an inherent part of our culture. It is the biggest festival for Bengalis- from both sides of the border (India and Bangladesh), regardless of religion.We dress up early in the morning and visit the various celebratory locations where cultural institutions  organise functions and colorful parades, alongside traditional fairs to welcome the first day of the Bengali calendar.

For fashionistas, it is another occasion to bring out their artistic side to explore and pair up the old with the new in terms of themes and color selection. Many of us choose to stick to the simple yet elegant red and white combination, while others incorporate elements from other cultures and bold colors to brighten up the festive mood. This year we bring you a simple and serene look you can easily pull off in this sultry weather. (Click here for last year's unconventional Boishakh Look). 

Outfit:

The hot and sultry weather calls for simple yet outstanding look to have a feel good start of the new year. W wanted to adhere to the white and red color pallet which we identify Poila or Pohela Boishakh with. So we chose to a hand woven Kasavu saree. It has gold zari checks woven all over with hand embroidered motifs of Krishna. Paired it with a sleeveless bright red blouse. It has gold zardousi embroidery done which makes it look party ready. Usually I pair this blouse with
the my silks for some added glamour but wearing it with this white cotton Kasavu balances the heavy look but brightens the outfit.

Accessories:

Poila or Pohela Boishakh  celebration usually is during early morning or day time, so the key is to accessorize the look rightly for comfort and style. Thus minimal gold jewelry  completed the simplicity of the look. The multi layered sahara or ear chain paired with the gold earring complimented the outfit and also was a striking feature itself. You can carry this look to your evening get together too with bright red lips and fresh jasmine in your hair.

Before ending this post, wishing all of you a very prosporous and a Happy New Year, শুভ নববর্ষ. May all your dreams come true this year. 

I hope you enjoyed the look and found some inspirations. If you have liked this look and feel inspired, then please share this post right now with your friends on Instagram and  Facebook. Leave us a comment or two below so that we know our effort was worth it.

Outfit Details:

Saree: Shyja Balakrishnan, from Kerala, India

Blouse : Adi Mohini Mohan Kanjilal

Jewelry: From N.P. Jewellery, Gariahat, Kolkata, India

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Summers are predominant season in the South East Asian region and can be unforgivably ruthless to our outings. So we have too choose our outfits diligently. As for this part of the world where I live now, summers although not as much cruel as in Indian subcontinent can be tricky time to choose comfortable yet stylish outfits.Remember every summer Ma used to take out her pastel colored sarees which were considered "too light" for the rest of the year. Even the biye bari or the other evening parties would be attended in pastel shaded lace or silk. We used to see considerate change in colors worn by our teachers in school (YES! we always used to be very attentive towards their wardrobe 😜😜😜). So gradually it became a norm for us to take out our lighter shades for summer time and darker and richer shades for winter time. But as times have changed so has the experimentation with different color pallets. Now we see a lot more of candy shades among summer collections which in the past were considered a big no for adult outfits 🙈🙈 because of their blinding effects 😂😂. So lets have a look on what are the best combinations we can try out for our hot and humid days.

• Indigo Blue and White

There are sarees that can instantly brighten up your days. The color and feel of it is exudes a stylish vibe on any day you chose to wear these sarees. Indigo blue and white combinations is one of them. They give a youthful charm to your look. Dress it with your silver jewelry for richer look.

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• Neon Green and Pink

The Neon Green and Pink is a bright combination that stands out. It gives you smart, younger and a comforting look for the summer day time.

• Yellow and pink

As its summer you can look out for cotton or chanderi sarees with light work on them. Yellow and pink or red combination looks very soothing and rich at the same time. Pull up your hair in a tight bun and accessorize lightly with a statement earring and some kohl in eyes...voila! your party look is done for a scorching day.

• Royal Blue and Black

Royal blue is the color that never goes out of fashion. Dull royal blue with black is a hot property right now and can be wore both at day and night time parties.

• Red, Black and White

Red and white has always been a hot favorite traditional combination but adding a hint of black in it gives it a gorgeous makeover. A cotton red black and white saree can be ideal for your afternoon "ghoroa" (cozy) parties.

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• Orange and Yellow

Orange is an outstanding color which gives an instant brightness to a look and also emulates the fiery summer sun. A orange and yellow Linen saree can give a classic citric look for any day.

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• 
  White and Gold

White sarees can never go out of fashion. White and Gold is considered to be the perfect blend of traditional yet contemporary. 

• Grey, Pink and Black

Grey has always been underrated as a formal color, but recently it has been used to create vivacious ethnic wear by combining it with pink and black. Pink gives that well needed pop of color and makes it perfect for summer wearing.

• Green and Black

Green and black sarees are always a big turn when worn rightly. It gives a extremely rich look and you can carry it from day to night.

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• Navy and Candy Pink and Orange

Navy with Candy pink and Orange is a hot favorite this season. This combination brightens up the atmosphere around you and can be carried both in day and night.

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Let us know if you have a favorite color combo for summers and we'll add it to our list :). Like and share the post if you love it and connect with us through our Facebook  and Instagram page

Getting ready in ethnic attires in the summer seems so tricky than getting ready for winter. The main Mantra of summer styling is staying cool, comfortable and yet stylish. Amidst the glitz and glamour of Saree glitterati such as Silk, Benarasi or Kanchipuram, the comfort that one is ever after will always remain hidden in the Linen. Especially during summer, when being light-weight is the mantra of the day, there would be no parallel of a Linen Saree as long as its accessorized right.

 Balancing the act of comfort and style is the key this season.

Linen Sarees have been a huge trend these days and with women of all ages accepting this style of sarees for work wear, fashion statements or a party wear has helped the trend to boom out way higher. The foremost advantage of wearing linen clothes in this scorching weather is the coolness they bestow. Thanks to the linen fiber and weave specifics, it allows more airflow .A linen saree retains high air permeability, which allows air to flow through the material easily and allows the body to breathe. This summer explore the world of linen and feel comfortable, confident and pretty. No need to hide from the sun anymore.

This beautiful midnight blue linen saree is from a dear friend's saree store Rongaboti's collection. Blouses have also been a huge part of styling these casual sarees for a different look. Sanchita has paired it with a stylish and unconventional  off-shoulder dual tone crop top.

                           

The oversized afghani danglers and the silver nose pin has added the extra style to the look. The dark smokey eyes and the bright hot pink lip color has made the look more perfect for any outing. A low hair bun is to keep up with the heat.

Keeping it simple is the key. The saree is simple sans zari work and thus perfect for any outing, day time parties or even for work. 

Outfit Details

Styling and photography: Moumita
Saree: Rongabati's Collection
Nose pin: Gahana by Sohini Datta
Earrings: Amazon.in
Croptop blouse: Forever 21

Its a evident that the festival season is still hovering over us as you can spot endless shopping , plethora of online deals, gift exchanges, meeting friends, and planning in advance on ”what to wear”. After Durga Puja/ Navratri, it’s time for Diwali/Kali Puja now. If you have forgotten, a quick reminder of Halloween next couple of weeks, and then Christmas is just a few more weeks away! Phew!

Kali Puja has been the most special festival for our family as we celebrate it with much grandeur in our house. During childhood days, as others used to suffer from post Durga Puja depression, we would be overly excited for the Kali Puja to come over. We would look forward meeting all our cousins, burning fire crackers, gun-caps, devouring on bhoger khicuri-labra and enjoying all the আদর (love) of the family members we used to seldom meet otherwise. The whole neighborhood and our school friends would be invited and we would show off our best outfits that were reserved from the puja shopping for this evening (quite early fashion addicts you see!!😁😁😁). But the only rule Ma imposed on us was to wear cotton, to be safe running around diyas and fire crackers. This year would be the 35th year of our family puja. Both of us unable to attend the celebrations of-course adds into our homesickness and nostalgia which we can only dilute with some good saree pics😒😒😒 

Thus for this Diwali look Sanchita wearing cotton hot pink Chanderi benarasi saree. Chanderi saree is a traditional saree made in Chanderi, Madhya Pradesh, India from as early as 2nd century. These sarees are produced in pure silk, chanderi cotton and silk cotton, one featured here is a cotton one. Traditional coin, Flora art, Peacocks and geometrics are woven into different chanderi patterns. The sarees are among the finest sarees in India and are known for their gold and silver zari and opulent embroidery.(Source )

The intense color of the saree stands out in the evening fanfare, brightens the ambience and is also perfect "সুতির " (cotton) saree as Ma would prefer. Paired it up with a black benarasi sleeveless blouse to add contrast and glamour. 

You can ace the look at a Diwali party or Kali Puja outings and also to any ethnic evening parties you want to attend. As if the brightness of the saree wasn't enough, we styled it with over-the-top Kundan necklace and earrings to make it all the more festive. Kept accessories on my hand minimal as to draw all the focus to the neckline. This gorgeous Kundan set was added to the jewellery box during the recent India haul.

So can you tweak this look...yes totally!! There are too many options to make this look your own. You can wear any contrast full sleeve benarasi blouse, big chandelier or chandbali earrings or bun up your hair with some fresh gajra....this outfit gives you room to experiment with your style. So drape your bright cotton sarees and amp it up with a gorgeous blouse and stunning accessories.

Happy Diwali and Kali Puja to everyone celebrating!

Outfit details:

Saree was a gift from cousin on his wedding, bought from Adi Mohini Mohan Kanjilal, Kolkata, India

Blouse material bought from Geeta's, Hogg's Market, Kolkata, India and designed by Sanchita

Necklace set from Gahana, Triangular Park, Kolkata, India