Saree is a power suit for me. I feel more myself wearing a saree than any other outfit. And I believe I am not alone, most Indian women has a special spot for sarees in their wardrobe, and Lehenga is no different. Imagine turning your saree look into a lehenga style for a change! Does that turn heads? Yes, you will certainly love yourself more in this saree turned into a lehenga that transforms your looks and adds a stylish touch. The icing on the cake is that you don't need to buy a separate lehenga for this but just drape any of your saree into one. All you need is a saree, a choli and a full size dupatta. The fusion of two traditional dress forms does promise to enhance your looks. 

After an elegant Saptami and a dramatic Ashtami I styled this va va voom look for Navami night because officially, it’s the last day and your one last opportunity to sport the best attire in the most festive mood because Bijaya Dashami brings out the ‘sombre’ for some when it’s time to bid adieu to the Godddess until next year. Also a lot of us loves to shake some legs on the Garba tunes on Navratri thus whats better than a lehenga. So, here you go...

Drape Story:

It was a very interesting drape that is all over the internet these days and I so wanted to try it out! What a better opportunity than Navratri. I chose a little longer choli rather than a blouse which had a very sensuous blouse. I pleated the whole Kanjeevaram saree over a underskirt and draped the Kantha dupatta from the waist to over the shoulder like you do in a lehenga. Voila!!

You can easily wear this to Garba night and also go for pandel hopping and addas. 

Styling

I kept the styling simple, traditional and more comfy for a night out in the festive fair. Tied the hair in a bun to avoid messy sweaty hair situation and covered with some faux gajra. A small bindi, hand cuff bracelet, a potli bag and a waist chain...and there you are ready for the evening.

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What I wore:

Saree: Adi Dhakeshwari Bastralaya, Gariahat, Kolkata, India
Blouse: From a different set, bought local store in Gauhati

Dupatta: Amar Kuthi, Sriniketan, Bolpur, India

Earring: Gariahat market, Kolkata, India
Bangle: Sam n Moon, Houston, USA

Potli bag: Gift from Hyderabad

Styling  and Makeup yours truely Moumita
Photography: Rabindra Kr. Kundu

After a chic Saptami style plan which we told you here, lets make sure that you can make onlookers astounded with your grand Ashtami avatar. Durga Ashtami as always is the most special day of the Navratri or 9 days of Durga Puja. Like most years our Ashtami mornings starts with the Sanskrit hymns of pushpanjali to the Devi, then as the day passes the divine sounds of uludhwani, shankh creates a divine ambience for the commencement of the Kumari Puja or the worship of little girls as the mother goddess .To wrap it up the Ashtami ends with the very special Sandhi Puja. So its obvious that the fun and fervor gets more intense during the Ashtami and this post today is all about this stunning Ashtami look.

The Bong Mania Overloaded's festive fashion tone started with a graceful traditional Baluchari for Saptami. But for Ashtami, the attire and the attitude will indeed get more dramatic yet traditional. A red and white saree is quintessential to the puja for a Bong, but didnt want to take the most conventional route. So for this special day, I have put on a gold and red  kanjeevaram silk saree with a rich red pallu.. This saree came with a matching red blouse. But I decided to play with the festive mood and thus, paired it with this black and green angrakha that rounded out this look so well.

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With my hair in a large bun adorned and accessorized with bride orange faux marigold, I finished out the look with a batua, a pair of statement earrings and a pearl nathni. The nathni accentuated the drama in the attire and gave the perfect glamor. Briht red lips and hint o green in the eyes and bindi was just what was needed for putting the whole look together.

This puja forget the conventional and style your sarees in ways unknown and discover your own style statement. 

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What I Wore:

Saree: Adi Dhakeshwari Bastralaya, Kolkata

Angrakha Kurti: Biba 

Inner green top: Forever 21

Potli bag: a gift, bought from Hyderabad

Earrings: Source Unknown

So, it’s that time of the year, when we Bengalis have an actual reason for going crazy! Durga Puja or Navratri when we worship The Great Goddess in us. It is a time to celebrate womanhood, in all ways possible which includes eating till we get into a food coma, shopping till we go broke, preening and pruning. It’s also the time when we see the glitterati step out in all their grandeur cooing to each other, dressed prim and proper in their finest, come hail or storm. It’s the time to look our best.

This series dedicated to the Durga Puja Lookbook will tell you in great details which avatar you should put on yourself this puja.  These three looks that I have conceptualized, styled and donned will inspire you how to style yourself starting from Shaptami, then Ashtami and finally on the Navami. So make sure you are subscribing to this blog so as not to miss the Durga Puja Lookbook blogposts which will be published in sequence, one after another all throughout this month.

The first look for Saptami depicts the romance of the tradition. The timeless elegance of Baluchari. Its one of a kind weave that you can buy one and hands down for generations! The Baluchari I am wearing is of a shot color between pink and blue. Thus it has a unique iridescent color. The silk is caressing me like second skin. The Meenakari weave on the border and pallu is mostly in deep blue Resham threads and a bit of a silver as well. The threads are woven to create beautiful, large motifs of bride, groom, musicians and paisleys including a beautifully dressed woman woven as buttis all over.

I wanted the look to be an amalgamation of modern and traditional. Paired it with a very westernized lace blouse instead of the matching one. The lace gave the heavy saree a breezy vibe.

The accessories were kept minimal keeping in mind the well needed comfort we aspire while endless pandal hopping and adda sessions. The styling was kept subtle so the focus be on the combination of the intricately woven saree and lace blouse. So opted out bindi or any statement neckpiece but just a polki earring,and some Fuschia red Sindoor. The sindoor was an interesting buy from Nyka . Would strongly recommend to use long lasting lighter makeup during the festive season. I kept my base light with prolong wear foundation, added fuschia lips and hint of some glitter on eyes. 

I hope you found some inspiration on how to drape your timeless traditional weaves and be the starlet of the Puja. Your purchase may provide bread and butter for the extraordinary weavers who create such art with fabric. SO this season go traditional and empower our own classic sarees.

If you like the post please do like, comment and share it. Your words of encouragement keeps us going. Please do follow us on  Facebook and Instagram for latest updates on the blog.

What I wore:

Saree: Adi DHakeshwari Bastralaya, Gariahat, Kolkata, India
Blouse: Macy's 
Earring: Gehna
Bangle: Gift, Source Unknown
Fuschia Red Sindoor: Nykaa
Styling  and Makeup yours truely Moumita
Photography: Rabindra Kr. Kundu

Given India’s beautiful cultural diversity, there are way too many varieties of sarees that are available and more so, different types of drape style. Be it the young or the old a saree fits in perfectly for any occasion and any person. This festive season Bong Mania Overloaded bring to you the must-have sarees that every girl must have in order to stand out in crowd

1) Red and Whites

Most of us want to soak in the festive flavor and love to wear the most classic combo of red and white. Here;s a way you can flaunt the traditional colors in an unconventional way.

2) Floral Print Chiffon

They look bright and breezy. Drape your florals with kohl eyes and statement jewelry pieces.

3) Regal Kanjeevaram

Kanjeevarams are never out of fashion. Pair them with minimal makeup and traditional heirloom jewelries.

4) Metallic Plain Saree

Gold metallic solid color sarees are a statement themselves. Drape them traditionally or in an experimental way.

5) Printed Linen

Comfort and Style goes hand in hand with linens. Try out different prints and patterns and be the diva this season.

6) The Ever So Classy Benarasi

Who said benarasi is only for a bride or a wedding party. wear your exquisite black, peach or white benarasi to the festive party. Match with a quirky blouse to make it more interesting.

I hope you enjoyed the post and found some inspirations. If you have liked this, 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.