11 contemporary saris for when your want to give your Benarasi collection a break

By Yashna Chopra6 September 2019

From pre-draped saris to those that are worn with dhotis or jackets, these modern takes on the sari are nothing like you already own

From watching our mothers drape their saris when we were children, to finally wearing your own for your high school farewell, saris hold an irreplaceable spot in most Indian women’s memories. But come adulthood, some of us find tying the six yard drape too troublesome, and reserve our sari collection for OTT festive occasions. What if we told you that you could enjoy the elegance of a sari without spending the entire day managing your pleats? Contemporary saris serve as the ideal solution—these often come pre-draped, thus allowing you to bring your favourite ethnic silhouette out from the back of your wardrobe without too much effort.

Whether you are looking for something for your best friend’s cocktail or just need something for an upcoming Diwali party, there is a variety of pre-draped iterations on offer—choose between dhoti-style saris, sari dresses, sari gowns and more. Ahead, we list out our favourites to help you make a choice.

The best contemporary saris to invest in this festive season

If you want to make a statement at a friend’s wedding ceremony, go with Amit Aggarwal’s silver sari gown, or Tarun Tahiliani’s head-to-toe red number. You can also look towards Ridhi Mehra’s beige sari if your sartorial sensibilities lean more towards minimalism. Prefer something more out-of-the-box? Rimzim Dadu’s black sari comes with a futuristic molten steel-wire sculpted pallu in purple, Gaurav Gupta’s navy blue drape is paired with an unusual netted blouse, and both Masaba’s bright pink sari and Nikasha’s floral number feature dhoti-style bottoms. Scroll ahead for our curated list of the best contemporary saris to invest in right now.

Sari, Rimzim Dadu