Once I have started posting these Saree bulletins is when I realised that I don’t take pictures consistently !! Some days I forget taking a pic and some days I don’t check to see if the picture I have taken is clear :):).
The weather in Delhi NCR is perfect for wearing Silk sarees. I have a soft corner for Kanchi silk sarees and absolutely love the way these sarees feel. Its pure cotton or pure silk that works for me. The trend of mixing in polyester threads with pure silk threads started in the late 90’s. Or rather I started noticing it then. Just can’t stand the stuff !!!
The Poly-Silk is hugely popular because the cost of the saree reduces significantly. These sarees last forever because plastic does last forever 🙄. I’d rather buy a chiffon or crepe, even the inexpensive, non-handloom ones rather than the Poly-Silk. With the weather conditions in India, especially South India, wearing anything except the natural fabric is a huge no-no. The fabric has to be breathable and should absorb sweat !
In fact I am increasingly not enjoying the Silk-Cotton mix either. The Silk-Cotton sarees look nice for a few wears and then just lose their sheen. Also most of the Silk-Cotton sarees come with “tested” or faux zari borders and those are just terrible. I have a few Silk-Cotton sarees without the faux zari and they are great. Also look out for mercerised cotton being used … they again make the saree waxy and sticky.
All these three sarees are a huge favourite of mine. The pink was bought from Nalli, the Maroon and black from Kumaran Stores, many many years back. The Pink and black are handwoven for sure, am uncertain about the maroon.
The pink that am wearing above is from Gopinath. The black and khaki saree is from RmKV Bangalore and the Mango yellow is from Nalli, South Extn, Delhi.
This week’s Highlighted Saree
This saree is an absolute favorite. It is multi coloured with vertical stripes and with a variation of the temple border. Bought this at Kumaran Stores, Chennai. Its pure silk and handwoven for sure, even though I didn’t know that when I bought it in 2015. I have worn this saree multiple times. Read more about this one – My concert saris – 1 🙂.
Note – for buying pure Kanchi Silk sarees please contact Gopinath at +919894665297. The best ever silk and pure zari should you want that.
#ILoveHandloom #SareeAddict
Beautiful–All of them. However, the contrast with my lifestyle is amusing, since I spend my daylight hours outside, in the yard, often on my hands and knees, digging in the dirt, and trying to watch for predators after my chickens. My “yard clothes” are repurposed and multiply repaired hospital scrubs (mostly tight weave cotton) and, in winter, layers of old sweats, sweaters, socks, and hand and neck warmers.
However, I’ve had lots of experience with different fabrics and materials, including cotton and polyester blends, because I knit and sew. As you say, blends don’t wear well, don’t breathe well, and don’t dye right.
Polyester and acrylics are petroleum-based products and have the same limitations of all plastics in their usefulness. For instance, acrylic sweaters may look good, at first, but they are not as warm as wool, and they quickly lose their shape. I don’t even bother to knit with acrylic–waste of time and effort–but I’ve darned my hand-made wool socks numerous times.
I know from your previous blogs that we share some feelings about plastics, and we agree on plastic clothing, too.
Thanks Katharine. Some of the handwoven cotton in India works over a lifetime ! So have totally shifted to Handlooms and pure cotton or pure silk. I have a silk saree of my mother’s that’s nearly 55 years old but still going strong !! And Yes plastic in any form is a no-no. 😊
My readings show that textiles represent some of the earliest evidence of civilization, in India, China, Egypt, North and South America– basically on every continent. Linen, silk, cotton, sheep, llama, alpaca, rabbit wool, to name a few.
There is nothing to compare with natural fibers.
It saddens me that so much of the world is following the US’s bad example of wastefulness.