8 Strikingly Irresistible Blouse Designs That Will Undeniably Spruce Your Sarees

By Anusha Lall

Weddings in India are no less than a red-carpet event, and every function calls for everyone in attendance to look their best. Whatever the occasion, elegant traditional attire never goes out of style — and what better way to flaunt that grace than a saree?

Sarees make for perfect traditional glamour, but the drape is not all you need — the ideal look is the sum of its parts, and the essence of a saree stays incomplete without the perfect blouse binding the whole ensemble together. We all know how much time goes into finding the perfect saree, yet we seldom notice the time it takes to decide the ideal blouse for those lovingly chosen drapes. From colour to bling, cut to design, a blouse can make or break the appeal of your saree. Women are no longer bound to the cloth piece that comes with the saree; with experimentation has come boldness, and blouses are now as much a fashion statement as sarees. If you’re still choosing the drape itself, our edit of handloom sarees from Odisha is a lovely place to start.

Here are eight blouse designs that make the perfect Romeos to the Juliets that are your sarees.

1. The off-shoulder blouse

Let’s start with a blouse that doesn’t compromise your ethnic look and gives you an impressive edge. The off-shoulder blouse is guaranteed to make you stand apart — perfect for summer weddings and fashionable in any season, it gives your outfit the oomph it needs. You can customise the sleeves however you like (full, short, bell or none at all), and it’s the perfect canvas to pull off some heavy jewellery that accentuates your look.

2. The full-sleeved blouse

The very symbol of royalty, you cannot go wrong with long-sleeved saree blouses. From heavy embroidery to plain and simple, or a middle ground with Swarovski, there are endless ways to style them. You can also customise the neck and back designs — there are no wrong options. Complete the ensemble with head jewellery and heavy traditional earrings, and your inner diva will be in full swing.

3. The cold-shoulder blouse

The cold-shoulder blouse combines the bold with the radiant and pairs with your saree like a charm. From fully embroidered fabric to fringes or tassels, this blouse is made for you to flaunt your fashionista side.

4. The wrap-around blouse

With a V-neckline to die for, the wrap-around blouse — especially with elbow-length or full-length sleeves — lets you be alluring and dazzling. It gives you plenty of room to accessorise, and your traditional outfit gets a whole new meaning with this blouse that brings mystery and flair to the table.

5. The waist-length blouse

If you’re looking for something unique and challenging, the waist-length blouse is for you. Elegant and sophisticated, this striking, unconventional style can hide a little bulge at the midriff while giving you an authentic wedding outfit to slay in. Play with sleeve length and design, and just take care of the blouse length so you can tie your saree without hindrance — your flawless outfit will be the talk of the town.

6. The boat-neck blouse

Simple elegance with solid colours, minimalist design and accessories can be mastered with the boat-neck saree blouse — and the dynamic, all-glitz party look isn’t hard to pull off with it either. The boat neck gives your neck a slender look, complements your saree and completes your wedding ensemble. Change the sleeve length as you wish; no answer is the wrong answer with a boat-neck blouse.

7. The tie-back blouse

Old is gold. While many blouse designs have come to the forefront, the tie-back blouse — with its open back and ties finished in tassels and beads — still adds extra oomph. The right latkan is as essential as the right saree, and women scour markets for the perfect one. Nothing says party as loud as a tie-back blouse with elaborately decorated tie threads; from heavy jhumkas to an embroidered pallu, it completes the pizazz one tie at a time.

8. The sheer-sleeved blouse

Looking for a way to flaunt those arms? The sheer-sleeved blouse is there for you — vary the sleeve length and the detail you want. A festive look that calls out for celebration, it can be extended further: the sheer back goes excellently with sheer sleeves when paired with georgette sarees and similar fabrics. It may be too revealing for some, but you can easily pull off this wedding look with confidence and a passion for fashion.

While these are some of the most popular choices, big fat Indian weddings are bound to have more in store. Feel free to experiment with your outfit, and always choose what brings out the best in you.