Summer is a season that brings with it vibrant days and blooming nature, extending an invitation to embrace lighter and breezier fashion choices. One of the most elegant and versatile wardrobe staples perfect for this season is the saree. With its timeless appeal and adaptability, the saree remains a favourite across generations and geographies. This summer, let’s explore the best saree trends that not only keep you cool but also elevate your style quotient. Here’s a detailed guide covering various aspects, from fabric choices to styling tips.
Breathable Fabrics
The foundation of any comfortable summer saree lies in its fabric. With rising temperatures, it’s crucial to select materials that allow your skin to breathe and keep you feeling fresh. Cotton sarees are a perennial favourite due to their lightweight and airy nature. Khadi, a handwoven fabric, offers a similar comfort level and carries a rustic charm, perfect for casual outings. Linen sarees, with their smooth texture and durability, are another excellent option, providing both comfort and elegance.
Moreover, sheer fabrics like chiffon and georgette offer a delicate and lightweight feel, ideal for summer events and gatherings. These fabrics drape beautifully, enhancing the saree’s fluidity while keeping you cool through the day. Organza sarees, with their ethereal transparency, bring a touch of sophistication and are perfect for more formal occasions.
Floral Prints
Summer is synonymous with blooming flowers, making floral prints a quintessential trend for this season. Floral sarees celebrate the vibrancy and beauty of nature, infusing a sense of freshness into your wardrobe. Opt for sarees that feature delicate and intricate floral patterns in pastel shades for a soft, feminine look. Alternatively, bold and bright floral prints can make a striking statement, adding zest to your summer ensemble.
Hand-painted floral sarees are another exquisite choice, offering a blend of traditional and contemporary aesthetics. These sarees often feature meticulously designed patterns, making each piece unique and artistic. Combined with breathable fabrics, floral prints can transform your summer wardrobe into a blooming garden.
Pastel Colors
While bold colors have their own charm, summer is the perfect season to embrace soothing pastel shades. These soft hues not only reflect the overall lightness of the season but also help in keeping you cool. Shades like mint green, blush pink, lavender, baby blue, and peach are ideal choices for summer sarees. They exude an understated elegance and are versatile enough to be worn for both casual outings and formal gatherings.
Pastel sarees can be paired with delicate embroidery or lace borders to enhance their elegance. The subtlety of these colors ensures that they complement a variety of accessories, allowing you to experiment with different looks. Pastel shades also have the advantage of flattering a wide range of skin tones, ensuring that you look radiant and graceful in your saree for summer season.
Minimalist Designs
Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication, and minimalist designs embody this principle perfectly. Minimalist sarees focus on clean lines and unembellished elegance, providing a chic and contemporary look. These designs often feature solid colors or subtle prints, with little to no embellishments. The emphasis is on the fabric’s quality and the saree’s drape, highlighting its natural beauty.
For summer, minimalist sarees in lightweight fabrics like cotton, linen, and chiffon ensure you stay comfortable while looking effortlessly stylish. Pairing these sarees with understated accessories and simple blouses can create a look that is both timeless and modern. Minimalist designs are ideal for those who appreciate the beauty of simplicity and wish to make a subtle yet sophisticated statement.
Indo-Western Fusion
The fusion of traditional Indian elements with modern Western influences has given rise to a unique trend known as Indo-Western fusion. This style allows for creative experimentation, blending the rich heritage of sarees with contemporary fashion sensibilities. Indo-Western sarees often feature modern prints, unconventional draping styles, and innovative blouse designs.
One popular trend within this fusion style is the pre-stitched or ready-to-wear sarees, which simplify the draping process and offer convenience without compromising on elegance. You can also experiment with crop tops, off-shoulder blouses, or asymmetrical hemlines, adding a touch of modernity to your saree ensemble. This trend is perfect for the fashion-forward individual who wants to stay cool and stylish while embracing the versatility of the saree.
Sustainable and Ethical Choices
In recent years, the fashion industry has seen a growing emphasis on sustainability and ethical practices. This trend is particularly relevant for summer sarees, as it encourages the use of eco-friendly fabrics and supports artisans who create handwoven and handcrafted sarees. Organic cotton and bamboo silk are popular choices for sustainable sarees, offering comfort and breathability while minimizing environmental impact.
Supporting local weavers and artisans not only ensures that traditional techniques are preserved but also empowers communities through fair trade practices. By choosing sustainably produced sarees, you contribute to a more ethical and conscious fashion landscape. This summer, embrace sarees that are as kind to the planet as they are to your skin, promoting a sense of harmony with nature.
Lightweight Embroidery
Embroidery adds a touch of elegance and sophistication to any saree, but heavy embellishments can feel uncomfortable in the summer heat. This season, opt for sarees with lightweight embroidery that balances style and comfort. Delicate thread work, especially on soft fabrics like cotton or linen, can create intricate designs without adding bulk.
Chikankari, a traditional embroidery style from Lucknow, is a perfect example of lightweight and intricate embroidery that is ideal for summer. Its subtle elegance and airy fabric make it a sought-after choice for warm weather. Similarly, minimal zari work or hand-embroidered motifs can enhance the beauty of your saree while ensuring you stay cool and comfortable.
Versatile Styling
Versatility is key when it comes to summer sarees. Experimenting with different draping styles and blouse designs can refresh your look and add variety to your wardrobe. The classic Nivi drape remains popular, but you can also explore regional styles like the Bengali drape, Kerala-style drape, or the modern pleated pallu style.
Blouses offer another opportunity for creative expression. Sleeveless blouses, halter necks, and backless designs provide a contemporary twist and are perfect for staying cool. Additionally, pairing your saree with statement jewelry, such as chunky necklaces or bold earrings, can add a touch of glamour and personalize your ensemble.
Accessorizing your saree with stylish footwear like comfortable sandals or juttis ensures you are ready for any summer event. Handbags, clutches, and potlis in complementary colors or designs can complete your look, adding a practical yet fashionable touch.
In conclusion, summer saree trends are all about embracing comfort, style, and versatility. Breathable fabrics, floral prints, pastel colors, minimalist designs, Indo-Western fusion styles, sustainable choices, lightweight embroidery, and versatile styling are all integral aspects of this season’s saree fashion. By incorporating these elements into your wardrobe, you can stay cool while exuding elegance and charm throughout the summer. So, go ahead and explore these trends, create your own unique looks, and celebrate the timeless beauty of the saree in the best possible way.