There’s not a day that goes by when I don’t wake up to an ‘X is getting married to Z’ post on Facebook. It’s like the flood gates of a reservoir holding all sorts of eligible unmarried people have been opened and the stories of their union are inundating our social media since.
Now, I realize I may come across as an extra-single person spewing hate at the institution of marriage when, in fact, I am all in favor of holy matrimony. My objection, though, is with the unwarranted use of ceremonial vermillion in Indian weddings.
Perhaps this explains my healthy (okay, maybe not) obsession with Priyanka Chopra’s dove grey Tarun Tahiliani sari – yes, six-yards of Chantilly lace with Swarovski and pearl embellishments - which she’d worn to 2019’s ‘It’ wedding – the Akash Ambani – Shloka Mehta nuptials.
Don’t get me wrong. There was a bevy of celebrities whose pastel outfits would have warranted some much-needed edits to your wedding wardrobes. But, the fact that Priyanka wore the steel grey sari with such gusto and still managed to eschew looking like a wallflower version of Wednesday Addams made her extra special.
There were no extraneous distractions. The hair wasn’t tousled but the curls certainly didn’t look like they were a result of countless man-hours. The jewelry was minimal, too. And let’s not forget the matching blouse with cap sleeves and sheer neck, which, despite being a couture marvel in itself, let the saree shine.
If you’re inspired by me waxing poetic about this Tarun Tahiliani number, I have concocted a rad mix of handpicked saris which more or less check all the boxes for becoming a wedding wardrobe mainstay.
First on our list is this Tarun Tahiliani sari from his latest collection, Nile, which draws heavily from Egyptian history, and whose influence can be seen in the flowy silhouettes and intricate embroidery. Although not lace, this pre-draped sari is a mish-mash of soft jersey and stretch tulle and comes with crystal mesh and pearl embroidery and is perfect for a sangeet function or your wedding reception party.
Buy this piece here
Riddhi Mehra’s glamorous and millennial-worthy take on the age-old sari giving us all sorts of inspiration to drape one. Although the sari itself is pretty plain, the blouse, with a plunging V-neck and all of its cascading crystals doubling as the sleeve, is an interesting adaptation.
Buy the sari here.
When it comes to new-age saris for contemporary millennial women, we always look to Amit Aggarwal for options. The hyper-constructed sari with a metallic pallu may be devoid of any embroidery but has strips laid out in a chevron pattern that almost looks like zardozi from the future.
This statement sari is guaranteed to grab some eyeballs.
This ethereal sari by Rahul Mishra is perhaps one of the best garments produced in the designer’s atelier. There is unrestrained zardozi work in floral and leaf motifs on the pallu and the border which gives the sari its regal impression. Although the mandarin collar is a nice addition to the whole look, if you are someone who belongs to the ‘less-is-more’ camp, you can go for a simple boat neck, or my personal favourite (and perfect for harsh Indin summer), sleeveless.
Click here to buy.
This lightweight Varun Bahl asbestos-hued saree with neo-mint border and embroidered floral motifs with sequins is perfect for an evening occasion. The Grecian blouse offsets the heavy embroidery making it the textbook choice for women who have a balanced sense of aesthetics.
Click here to buy.
We’ve presented a bevy of options, if, however, you have your heart set on Priyanka’s Chantilly lace saree only, then we suggest you pay close attention to this grey Komal Sood sari that comes with intricate threadwork and Swarovski embellishments. Like Priyanka, you can wear a blouse that’s matching the sari material or ride high on the corseted blouse trend.
We suggest a kundan or polki choker set and lightly tousled waves.
Buy this sari here.
