We’ve compiled a list of 8 absolute must have sarees what we consider easiest to drape, maintain and wont pinch your newfound saree love. At Baragaon Weaves we have been happy to be the choice of many first time saree buyers. Young girls sporting sarees always encourage us on. Cotton is definitely the evergreen choice as formal Indian
attire and needless to say one is spoilt for choices with the specialities of cotton sarees from across the various regions of the country. So here we have compiled a list of 8 absolute must have cotton sarees for the wardrobe that’s just beginning to add sarees. These are what we consider the easiest to drape, maintain and won’t pinch as an investment into your newfound saree love.
1. BENGAL TAANT
Bengal is spilling with choices in cotton thanks to the hot and humid weather of course. From the softest mulmuls to the heavier Dhoniakhali Taants, there’s something for every kind of taste. The MulMul or Muslin of Bengal are known to be among the softest of the worlds cotton and have recently seen good design transformation in the Phuliya region. The Taant sarees of Bengal call for a entire post to themselves, with each cluster being known for its very own feel of the fabric (primarily thickness of the fabrics) and ornamentation used. Easier on the wallet (starting at INR 700) but needing regular maintenance (in case you are aiming to be draped in the picture perfect way) these sarees are first in the must haves list.
2. THE GAMCHA SAREE
Inspired by a number of designers and brands, the conventional Gamcha stands stylised into the most quirky and fashionable drapes. Hunting through craft melas as well as social media can lead you to a number of master artisans and craftpreneurs selling these humble checks in a myriad of colours. Costing anything between INR 1500 to 3000, these make a lovely summer wear when teamed for the ultimate social conscious look.
3. THE CHETTINAD CHECKS
The perfect thin lined checks, the bold colour palette and the summer ready cotton are a gem to add to the beginner’s wardrobe. A bright coloured mustard saree or a deep navy blue, these sarees is iconic to the cotton lover’s look.
4. KALA COTTON
As the GMV seeds wreak a havoc on our cotton farmers land and while there is hybrids of everything being sold across markets, there is a growing cult of activism in favour of desi cotton (local/ native to Indian soils), organically grown with indigenous practices. NGOs that promote these can be abundantly spotted in all major crafts fairs and contacted on the internet. For a clean conscience to a better environment, these contemporary designs are an excellent add to the wardrobe. The only flipside is the roughish texture and coarser feel.
5. MUNDU FROM KERALA
The Humble saree from Kerala is the Mundu, in off white with golden zari border (Yes you probably did wear it to your last convocation ceremony). They make a perfect cool summer wear. The two piece saree also lets you try on a number of draping and styling options. For the ones not open to such experimentations, a regular 6 meter version is also readily spotted. Teamed with a breezy crop top, colourful Kalamkari or Gujrati choli one can give it a highly personalised look.
6. BLOCK PRINTS
You can pick an earthy colour of Dabu Printing or the intricate Mughal motifs of Sanganer, or play it safe with the ever- elegant indigos. The hand block prints of Rajasthan whether the mud resists of Bagru or the colourful ones of Sanganer are a must have. From cambric cotton to kota doria cottons there are a number of fabric textures to chose from, in budgets that a designed to please the smaller pockets (anywhere between INR 500 to 3500) . And while you are feeling experimental you can always hunt for the more quirky prints (ranging from cars and scooters to dance mudras)
7. THE BAGH & BATIK
For the flower lover in you are the intricate jaals and floral patterns from the block printers of Bagh, Madhya Pradesh. Put together with wax resist (batik techniques) these sarees are available in pure cotton as well as cotton silks (from Maheshwar).
8. MANGALGIRI COTTONS
In solid colours with simply patterned zari borders these are the easiest sarees where one just can’t go wrong. Also fascinating is the dual colour or shot-colour technique of weaving with a differently coloured warp and weft, coming together to create a dramatic saree in royal shades. This technique is also called the Dhoop Chaon.
Happy Shopping! Happy Summers!
