The saree is one of the most ethereal garments which finds a permanent place in an Indian woman’s wardrobe. It is one of the rare outfits that every woman can gracefully carry off, regardless of body type. A well-draped saree enhances the beauty of a woman. Although there is a saree for every body type, picking a saree in the wrong fabric can turn into a fashion disaster. Before purchasing a gorgeous Indian saree, it is important to identify your body shape.
In general, there are 4 types of body shapes – apple shaped, pear shaped, hourglass and athletic. Here’s a simple guide on how to choose an Indian saree that will flatter your body type and make you look like a million dollars!
- Apple Shaped Body – People with an apple-shaped body tend to have a heavier bust and midriff and slim lower legs and arms. Hips and shoulders have the same width, providing a top-heavy appearance. People with this body shape tend to gain weight around their stomach and waist. The trick behind dressing an apple-shaped body is to remove attention from the problem areas, that is, the bust and the stomach. Silk is the perfect fabric for this body shape. A silk saree with dainty, small thread work enhances and complements this body shape. Fabrics like chiffon and georgette also flatter apple-shaped body types very well. On the other hand, net sarees, which tend to puff up are a big NO for this body shape, as they draw attention to the problem areas and give a bulkier appearance. Channel your inner diva by wearing a lightly embroidered silk saree with a long blouse in a contrasting color. Check out this classy silk saree which is the perfect pick for women with an apple-shaped body:
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- Pear Shaped Body – The pear-shaped body is characterized with hips wider than the shoulders and a heavier lower portion. People with this body shape tend to gain weight around their hips and thighs. The waistline is well-defined with narrower shoulders and bust as compared to the lower part of the body. For women with this body shape, the focus should be on accentuating the shoulder and bust areas. Fabrics like chiffon and georgette are the perfect choice for the pear-shaped body as these materials drape well around the body, bringing attention to the toned shoulders, bust and waistline. Bold colours, stunning borders and exquisite embroidery work are classic choices for the pear-shaped body. On the other hand, mermaid cuts which emphasize the lower portion of the body are a strict NO! Women with this body shape can also experiment with interesting blouse designs to drive attention away from the problem areas, that is the hips. A chiffon saree in a bright, bold color with dainty embroidery, draped in the “seedha pallu” style and paired with a halter neck blouse is the perfect ensemble for a woman with a pear-shaped body. This bright, chiffon saree is a must-have for every woman who has a pear-shaped body:
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- Athletic Body – People with an athletic body shape have a straight and equal shoulder to hip ratio, with a well-defined ribcage. The stomach and middle areas are flat and toned. Women with this body shape should stick to fabrics which gives their body a fuller, curvier appearance. Net, organza, silk and cotton are complimentary fabrics for this body shape as they give a full appearance to an otherwise slim body. Sarees with heavy borders, light colours and gorgeous embroidery are a perfect choice for women looking for sarees for athletic body shape. However, fabrics like chiffon and georgette should be avoided as these materials tend to stick to the body and make slim women look thinner than they are. Women with this body shape can experiment with a wide range of blouses, owing to their slender figure. Team a light pastel organza saree with a sleeveless, backless blouse and wow everyone at the next party you attend! This delicate organza saree is our favourite:
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- Hourglass Body – The hourglass-shaped body is characterized with a wide bust, narrow waist and wide hips, providing an overall curvy appearance. Women with this body shape can carry off almost all fabrics and saree styles with ease. Fabrics like chiffon, georgette, crepe, net all go divinely with an hourglass body shape. These fabrics drape across the body and accentuate the curves. Sarees with simple, dainty embroidery work or beadwork work wonders for women with this body shape. Women with this body shape can experiment with blouse designs like sweetheart necklines, plunging necklines and backless blouses to up the oomph factor. Check out this exquisite georgette saree:
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Now that you know the perfect saree that will make you look like a goddess, take some inspiration from our Bollywood divas on wowing everyone with some exquisite saree looks!