Designer sarees come in a wide range of fabrics, each offering a distinct look and feel. Common fabrics used include:
Silk: A classic choice for bridal and festive wear. Includes varieties like banarasi, tussar, and chanderi silk.
Georgette: Known for its light and flowing texture, perfect for casual wear or evening events.
Chiffon: Lightweight and elegant, often used for a contemporary look.
Satin: Adds a shiny, smooth finish, suitable for glamorous events.
Velvet: Rich and luxurious, often used for winter weddings and special occasions.
Cotton: A lighter, breathable fabric ideal for daytime wear and summer events.
Organza: A crisp, sheer fabric offering a sophisticated and ethereal appeal.
Designer sarees often incorporate unique elements that set them apart from standard sarees:
Embroidery: Intricate handwork like zardosi, mirror work, chikankari, or thread embroidery adds depth and texture.
Beading & Sequins: Adding a touch of glamour, beads and sequins are often used in evening or party sarees.
Prints: Designer sarees may feature hand-painted motifs, digital prints, or block prints for a modern twist.
Lace & Borders: Lace, velvet, or metallic borders are used to create a contemporary feel.
Traditional Draping: The classic style involves pleating the saree and wrapping it around the waist, with the pallu draped over the shoulder.
Contemporary Draping: Modern draping techniques may include the lehenga style (where the saree is draped to resemble a skirt), or the pant-style drape (where the saree is paired with pants).
Pre-stitched Sarees: For ease of wearing, some designer sarees come pre-stitched, requiring less draping time.
Custom Blouses: Designer sarees often come with unique, custom-designed blouses that reflect the overall theme of the saree. These can range from traditional cholis to modern crop-top style blouses.
Sleeve Variations: Blouses can feature various sleeve lengths, from sleeveless to full sleeves, often with intricate embroidery or embellishments.
Back Necklines: Deep back necklines or intricate cut-out backs are popular choices for a fashionable look.
Designer sarees are perfect for specific occasions like:
Weddings: Bridal sarees or sarees worn by close family members often feature heavy embroidery, rich fabrics, and bold colors.
Festivals: Sarees for festivals such as Diwali or Navratri might be more colorful, lighter, and come in festive prints or embroidery.
Cocktail Parties/Evening Events: Glamorous and embellished sarees, often with sheer fabrics, sequins, or metallic tones.
Corporate & Formal Events: Lighter sarees, often in silk or chiffon, with minimal embroidery for a professional yet stylish look.
Casual Wear: For day-to-day wear, cotton or linen sarees with lighter designs are popular.
Designer sarees often follow the latest trends in color, with designers experimenting with:
Bold Colors: Reds, deep blues, emerald greens, and royal purples are often seen in bridal sarees.
Pastels: Soft shades like mint green, lavender, peach, and powder pink are trendy for lighter, elegant occasions.
Metallics: Gold, silver, and other metallic hues are perfect for party wear.
Neutrals: White, beige, and ivory are timeless choices that work well for daytime and formal events.
Many designers offer customization for sarees. This could mean:
Tailored Blouses: The blouse is designed specifically for the wearer’s measurements and preferences.
Embroidery or Artwork: Unique designs, motifs, or embroidery can be added according to personal tastes.
Matching Accessories: The saree may be paired with matching accessories like dupattas, shawls, or belts.
Designer sarees, especially those with delicate fabrics or intricate embellishments, require special care:
Storage: Store them in cloth bags to avoid damage from dust, and hang them on padded hangers if possible.
Washing: Dry cleaning is often recommended, especially for heavy or embellished sarees.
Avoid Direct Sunlight: To prevent fading of delicate fabrics like chiffon or georgette.
Designer sarees tend to be more expensive due to the quality of fabric, intricacy of design, and craftsmanship. Prices can range:
Entry-Level Designer Sarees: Around INR 15,000 to INR 40,000.
Mid-Range Designer Sarees: Between INR 40,000 to INR 1,00,000, typically for those with intricate embroidery or high-end fabrics.
High-End or Bridal Designer Sarees: Prices can go upwards of INR 1,00,000, especially for wedding sarees with heavy work and premium fabrics.
In-Store: You can visit exclusive designer boutiques or high-end stores to find designer sarees.
Online: Many fashion platforms, as well as designer labels, offer sarees for purchase online.
Customization: Designers often provide bespoke services, allowing customers to choose their fabric, color, design, and even the draping style.
Celebrity appearances in designer sarees often set trends. A saree worn by a famous personality at a red-carpet event or wedding can spark an instant demand for similar styles, colors, and designs.