Style your saree like India’s favourite actresses

From Alia’s vibrant outfits to Deepika’s glamourous ensembles, handloom sarees are becoming expressions of personal style among Indian cinema’s leading ladies. Here’s how you can recreate these celebrity looks

Image: Wikimedia/Bollywood Hungama 

Deepika Padukone’s dramatic drapes :

For the perfect party look, take notes from Deepika Padukone. The actress is known for her bold, offbeat style and isn’t afraid to make a statement on the red carpet. Deepika glams up her sequined sarees with strappy blouses; the hairdos are either textured buns or slicked back styles and the makeup highlights her eyes with heavy eyeliner and colourful eyeshadow.

Image: Wikimedia/Bollywood Hungama

Alia Bhatt’s vibrant weaves :

Alia Bhatt’s saree choices reflect her vivacious personality. Candy pink Banarasi silk sarees, coral Chanderi sarees and turquoise silk sarees are teamed with wavy hairstyles, barely-there makeup and dangler earrings. Of course, she always wears them with oodles of charm and a smile.

Image: Wikimedia/Bollywood Hungama

Rekha’s Kanchipuram silk sarees :

Rekha wears handloom Kanchipuram silk sarees with inimitable glamour and grace. The actress is partial to heritage weaves filled with pure gold zari and broad borders. She adds to the traditional weave with stunning temple jewellery and, of course, red lipstick. To recreate her saree style, try the cat eye look with plenty of eyeliner and a chignon hairdo layered with a strand of jasmine flowers.

Image: Wikimedia/Bollywood Hungama 

Nayanthara’s monotone styles :
The actress has created a signature by teaming sarees and blouses of the same colour to craft a monotone look. Nayanthara’s lacy red wedding saree was no different. The hair and makeup are always simple yet sophisticated. To recreate Nayanthara’s style for the office, try a handloom linen saree in an earthy tone with a statement necklace or earrings.

Image: Wikimedia/Bollywood Hungama

Anushka Sharma’s statement blouses :

From long-sleeved blouses with nautical stripes to sequinned halter neck tops, Anushka Sharma’s blouse styles always steal the spotlight. Anushka draws attention to the blouse by paring down her jewellery. She picks either dangling earrings or statement studs and sweeps her hair up in a casual bun or high ponytail. In typical Anushka Sharma style, it’s stunning without being over the top. 

Image: Wikimedia/Bollywood Hungama

Sonam Kapoor’s fusion silhouettes :

Sonam Kapoor’s penchant for European couture spills over into her sarees as well. Sonam’s experimental looks for the Cannes Film Festival include sculptural pieces and sarees with sequinned jackets; for industry events, she’s often seen in capes, off-shoulder blouses and statement sleeves. If you’re taking a cue from the actress, style your hair in soft waves or an easy chignon and keep the accessories simple so that the focus remains on your showstopper of a saree! 

Image: Wikimedia/Bollywood Hungama

Vidya Balan’s vintage glamour :
If you’re a fan of sarees, Vidya Balan’s outfits will pop up on your radar often. Vidya wears sarees with aplomb and is an expert at matching prints and accessorising. Her sequinned sarees, chiffons with floral prints, and velvet sarees with embroidery win hearts, buoyed by the actress’ larger-than-life attitude. She keeps the look simple with elegant jewellery, kohl-rimmed eyes and subtle lipstick, creating outfits that are great for casual get-togethers and elegant evenings. 

Apart from being worn to special occasions such as celebrity weddings, sarees are also lending themselves to airport fashion and business attire. Handloom sarees are taking centre stage again, and we can’t wait to see how celebrities reinvent them!