What should I do with my sari? - YouLookFab Forum

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What should I do with my sari?

Ornella

(website)

Veteran

Yes, that's right, I own one. A beautiful green silk sari with golden embroidery (if it's called like that) that was made just for me. It was a gift from a dear friend.

First of all, I am not even sure I can appreciate it properly. Does the color symbolise something? The golden thread decoration(s) - what are they called? I am embarrassed for not knowing all this. But, to make up for it, the was a time when I could put it on - properly - in a matter of minutes. I am still proud of that

Even if I ever have the opportunity to wear a sari to a function, and I'd jump at a chance to, I would not chose the color I have. So, my sari is now just sitting in the box, tucked away in the cupboard, where it could safely stay for the next 10, 20 years.

What should I do with it??

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16 replies

Latest reply was from catgirl

Elly

Veteran

If you never plan on wearing it, have you considered using it in the house, or are you worried about destroying it over time and would rather keep it in a box?

Saris make beautiful wall hangings, especially in bedrooms draped above a bed on a wall or ceiling.

Do you have a daughter or a special niece? Perhaps you could save it for her (or even a son's future SO, especially if it truly a beautiful heirloom quality piece, as many saris are)? Sometimes the next generation looks better in or likes green better than the first.

Ornella

(website)

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I haven't considered giving it away for a simple reason, and I should have probably said this before, that sari is an exotic clothing in my part of the world. So, dear nieces are not an option.

I'll photograph it when I have a chance, but one of the main issue is that it is green - the color I personally don't enjoy, neither in clothing nor furnishings. I love plants though.

The fact is that I am purging a lot of things from home and it's time to tackle the shelf with such odd pieces that hold positive sentimental values (an odd wedding gift is still there, unused - pretty good clue it's time to release them), but my main concern with this sari is that it will keep sitting in a box, where it is safe, but I have absolutely no use of it.

I would be the happiest if I just give it some life as it was meant to be - used (somehow), although I don't mind holding on to it for a few more years, but I've been wondering for a while now what to do with it and thought of asking the forum

Sona

Veteran

how about making it into a tunic or using part of the sari as an overlay for tunic arms and neck and hemline border? you could also make a boho skirt and wear with a plain tank top/shirt. They can also be made into bedspreads but this is usually a costly endeavour.

Vani

Veteran

Ornella, I saw this in a movie and have been hooked on to the idea of having a dress made out of a sari. I couldn't find any good quality pictures so here are some stills from a video. I will post more pictures if I manage to find any.

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Elly

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As far as the meaning goes ( I am not Indian, so this is no doubt second hand info) I think it depends on whether the sari is a Hindu or Islamic sari.

Generally, the gold symbolizes wealth. Green saris are a traditional color for islamic weddings (often with red embroidery, as are red) and in Islamic culture green represents fertility and prosperity (much like western culture).

There is always the option of keeping it for a costume (especially if that doesn't offend your sensibilities regarding the nature of the gift) or as a gown-alternative for more formal affairs. It certainly takes up less space than most gowns and I am sure you look statuesque in it.

Also, there is the option of passing it on to someone else who would enjoy it (a friend or family member who lives in a different area maybe), or for the sake of passing on the blessings and well wishes associated with it.

Perhaps you could purchase a choli in a color that incorporates the green but you prefer to wear more.

crazyone

Veteran

Elly, I don't think one can easily distinguish between Hindu and Muslim sarees in that way. Nowadays many Muslim brides don't wear sarees at all, instead choosing to wear lehenga cholis (skirt and blouse sets). And green is the traditional bridal color for Maharashtrian Hindu brides. In general, it's hard to pin down colors to any region as people from all communities and all religions wear all sorts of colors, though it may be more traditional for the bride *herself* to wear a particular color.

Ornella: that's quite cool that you can wear a saree properly yourself! I am not capable of that, I always need help. The golden thread doesn't symbolize anything in particular except that it's an expensive sari with so-called "zari" work (zari = gold thread embroidery). I wonder if you have a Kanchipuram saree like the one shown here: http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QicW.....na_big.jpg

These are famously made in a temple town in Southern India with high quality silk and gold thread borders and embroidery.

It sounds like you've worn it a few times, and if you don't like the color, I don't see why you should force yourself to wear it again, especially if you're not in the habit of being invited to events at which you'd be expected to wear Indian garb. Since you're in Britain, which has a large South Asian community, would you consider donating it to some sort of community group which collects clothing for poor South Asian women? I'm sure they exist. Also, ebay UK etc. would probably work too, if you don't feel bad about selling it.

Kim

Veteran

If it's silk you could possibly dye it a different color and then repurpose it. I think you'd need to dye it since it's the color that's not appealing to you. Any repurposing would be waste of time otherwise since you don't like the color for yourself or your home decor.

crazyone

Veteran

Kim, I think redying it would be incredibly difficult as I'm guessing it has a few different colors on it and also you wouldn't want the embroidery to get dyed over.

Ornella

(website)

Veteran

Thanks everyone.

@Sona (what is the meaning of your name, btw? I am wondering if I am correct about what I think it is), the idea about tunic is good, boho skirts are not really my thing. Although, actually... now that you had mentioned it, I do remember one fab skirt Suz posted a while ago and the discussion then followed about making skirts out of saris! Thanks for the lead

@Vani, I love this idea. One issue though... will I always be the size the dress would be made in Big ask.

@Elly, I was thinking of keeping it as a costume actually, but even I can see this is too nice for 'just costume'. Everything is hand stitched. Even the matching choli
...

I've just taken it out of the box. It is 'less' green than I probably made it sound, more like sea green, definitely not St.Patrick's green. Just touching the fabric and hearing it rustling between my fingers makes me want to wear it. The elaborate border is really, really wide - does that mean something (I am so ashamed, I feel so ignorant!)?

Btw, I think I need to take a photo with this next to my face in daylight to really asses things keeping-wise. It's just such a shame it's hidden and unused.

I'm attaching a few photos, the last blurry one is photo of a photo of me wearing it 10 years ago...

ETA: Adding a photo of the box it came in...

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Ornella

(website)

Veteran

I was obviously typing at the same time as crazyone and Kim...

crazyone

Veteran

Ornella: it looks really nice on you, color-wise! But that wouldn't be my favorite color either.

The amount of embroidery on the pallu (the part that falls over your shoulder), people tend to use "border" to refer to the border on the bottom of the saree just means that it was a fairly expensive saree meant to be worn to nice events.

Since it has paisley motifs rather than geometric ones, I think it may actually be a Banarasi saree or a saree made in that style.

Sona

Veteran

Ornella: my name means gold or golden girl.

I love th saree btw and think it is a banarsi style.

ironkurtin

Veteran

That is so beautiful! If it doesn't take up a lot of room, I would just hang onto it and wait for the right occasion. I suppose if worst comes to worst, it would make a beautiful scarf?

Lynne

Veteran

Ornella, I think it's beautiful. Liz Hurley sometimes wears sari inspired dresses and looks amazing in them. It does worry me that you're not in love with the colour, but I wouldn't give it away just yet, as it seems quite special, and it's not taking up actual hanger space in your working closet.

Ornella

(website)

Veteran

Keeping it as it is then... OK, for some time definitely. I did miss my one opportunity to go to the Indian wedding (in India!), but one never knows when this might be handy I guess... In the meantime it's been lovingly packed away to take up very little room in my spare bedroom.

crazyone, thank you for taking time and explaining all this, I'll do some more research now

Sona, I thought it means golden girl Lovely.

catgirl

Veteran

Ornella, I'm late here and you've gotten some great suggestions already. I have seen people repurpose saris as curtains or window trim - very little work needed, just a curtain rod or something to hang it on. It is lovely and definitely wedding guest wear!