Indian Accessories

The Indian saris in Cotton are the most popular and favored for all sections and classes of women. Cotton sari is light-weight and very cool to wear, especially during hot summer. These saris could be worn on festival days and also as daily wear.

You can see office-going women, school and college teachers, lady doctors and home makers wearing cotton saris in various designs and vibrant colors. These saris are ideal for every day purposes and can be easily washed and pressed.
In India cotton grows abundantly. The art of weaving and dying of cotton started in India several years back, about 5000 years ago. Each of the Indian state has its own traditional way of weaving cotton and own special features in cotton fabric. Also each state differs in weaves, texture, printing methods or techniques, embellishments and colors. All the cotton saris are available in different attractive prints, various colors and charming designs. Saris made of pure cotton have a separate wide market during summer seasons.
Some of the popular cotton saris are as follows:
Jamdani cotton saris with traditional patterns come from West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh. Sambalpuri, Bomkai and Vichitrapuri, saris of Orissa, are available in various colors and traditional adornments. Madhya Pradesh produces the fine cotton Chanderi Saris that have a silk warp and cotton weft. Maheswari saris, also from Madhya Pradesh, come in pure cotton or cotton/silk blend with exquisite check patterns. The famous Hyderabadi Venkatagiri fine cotton saris mostly in off-white color are adorned with dull golden motifs. Nander, another Andhra Pradesh cotton sari has extensive golden thread work and silk border. Pochampalli saris, also weaved in Andhra Pradesh, come in Ikat patterns, i.e. the yarn is dyed based on pattern before weaving.
In Tamil Nadu, the centers like Kanjeevaram, Salem, Pudukottai and Madurai produce fine cotton saris with motifs and check patterns and the border and the pallu are decorated with thread or zari work. Besides, Kerala special karalkudi saris, tie and dye saris from Rajasthan and Gujarat, Ikat saris of Karnataka and the Narayanpet saris of Andhra Pradesh are also famous for their quality and workmanship. Then there are handloom khadi cotton saris woven by hand with handspun yarn. Cotton sari collection includes printed cotton saris, saris with embroidery and zari work, traditional and contemporary saris for middle and old-aged women and trendy saris for the young.
Cotton saris are usually very affordable; the variation in the prices depends upon the quality of the cotton materials used and the decorative works done on them. A lady looks elegant, sophisticated, graceful and feminine in cotton saris.

Recent years have seen certain changes in the traditional concept of Indian wedding jewelry. Still there is no Indian wedding without any jewelry. Women are very passionate about their jewelry, especially at her wedding time.

With the passage of time and the changes in the social and economical status the Indian woman has made definite changes in the choice of her jewelry, the changes in the type of material used or design. Today’s ornaments have more diamonds or other precious gemstones and the modern woman prefers jewelry to be worn as fashion statements every day. Indian women have more exposure as more and more are taking up a career today and they enjoy economical freedom. Moreover intercaste marriages are becoming very common. All these factors might have contributed to the shift in the concept of wedding jewelry.
These days in addition to the tali traditional wedding jewelry package includes six pieces of bangles, two rings and a diamond earring. Gold continues to be the most in demand despite its spiraling prices. At the same time many people have a choice with the white gold too. It is possible now to make a wedding package using around 15-20 grams of 22 carat gold. The modern bride finds fancy with the sparkling bracelets with decorative gemstones in the place of traditional bangles. As far as Tali is concerned most women prefer it to be in the traditional type
According to jewelry designers as long as people can afford they will go only for gold. At present people are too much fascinated by the different hues of gold, such as white gold, pink gold and no need to mention the familiar yellow gold. Today’s fashion conscious women like to go with the latest trends. So they have no hesitation in experimenting with new trends like combination jewelry consisting of two different shades of gold having gemstones studded in them. Such fashion statements become instant hit with the modern ladies. This enables the wearer to mix and match it with various kinds of dresses. The popularity of the gem diamond is also on the ascent and white gold bangles adorned with diamonds have become every one’s favorite. You can discern rising popularity even in the costly platinum jewelry.
But when it comes to designs majority of the people prefer the traditional designs, no matter if it is antique, temple or Kerala, with slight modifications here and there. Especially for Indians residing in other countries this offers them an opportunity to preserve and present their cultural heritage. Any how Indian bride’s option for her wedding jewelry makes definite deviations from the traditional jewelry. The latest trend indicates that the women go for contemporary designs that have an international appeal rather than buying heavy and chunky jewelry that will lie in the locker safely most of the time. Instead they want their jewelry to be more accessorized with their wardrobe.

Gone are the days of glittering elegant wedding saris. It is the lehenga that a city bride prefers today and the bolder it is the better. A lehenga is an integral part of a bride’s trousseau.

While the traditional flowing ghaghras continue to hold sway with the blushing bride, the ever-adventurous city girl is favoring bold designs and slim fits teemed with corsets and even bikini tops. The modern designers have experimented with the slimmer fits, even the known retail shops are offering exquisite pieces of bridal lehenga to the bride get her dream look. These eye-catching lehengas are rich in every aspect, including the price. It is very interesting to have a look at some of the gorgeous latest wedding lehengas preferred by the city girl.

Bridal lehengas, with a traditional touch and mostly in conventional cut, could be customized in fish cuts too for a slimmer fit. The color range is diverse from the usual red and fuchsia to orange, green and lilac. Customization can also be done for a higher price range. Multi-colored lehengas having striped border and art work with sequins, stones and gota patti are also available. Prices start from $1250 and can go up to a $2500 and above.

A shimmering and shining bridal lehenga, available in net, georgette, silk and satin is embellished with stones of various colors, like pink, orange, white etc. The cost ranges between $250 and $5000.

A bit traditional lehenga with Swarovski, crystal embellishments, numerous layers of lush satin lining, Benarasi brocade borders and anarkalis with delicate lace arms can make just an ordinary bride elegant and attractive. A bride wearing a lehenga in gold lame with shades of red and white Swarovski with antique gold works will look exceptionally enchanting. The dupatta is in net and the red velvet choli/jacket has Swarovski pearls, beads and crystals. The price is very high starting at $7500.

The modern bride can get adventurous with lehengas in various appealing colors ranging from light pista green to interesting shades like champagne. A saffron-colored georgette lehenga with a halter-neck top in silk or georgette having cut stones in white and red is an ideal choice for a new-age bride. Price starts at $500 and goes up to $6250

Another latest bridal lehenga, a mixture of tradition and glamour, is available in a range of colors from warm hues to ice tones. The gold woven fabrics are textured by way of dobby and jacquard techniques in a unique fashion. Shimmering satins are distinctly embroidered with materials like gold zari and crystals. A bride looks exceptionally charming in a red or orange chiffon layered lehenga with embellished belt and border. The price is around $2125.

The modern designers are prepared to satisfy the ever-changing tastes and trends of today’s bride by bringing out new varieties of bridal lehengas to make the bride-s most special day, a memorable one.

It is only natural for a girl to dream of a fairytale wedding, perhaps the most memorable and the happiest moment in her life. The wedding day, especially in India, marks the beginning of a new life for the girl.

And so she expects that moment to be perfect and grand. In India when a girl child is born her father works hard to earn enough to afford the very best for her wedding and her mother gathers jewelry, vessels and other household articles one by one to gift their daughter. Thus the parents start planning for the auspicious occasion of the girl’s marriage well in advance.

Traditional Jewelry has a very significant place in an Indian girl’s wedding. Wealthy people give very rich attractive ornaments to their daughters as gift while ordinary people give what they can afford to. Moreover the bride will be, from head to toe, adorned with various types of traditional beautiful jewelry. Jewelers, realizing the Indian family’s requirements, employ the most efficient and skilled craftsmen to produce wedding jewelry pieces and sets.

Traditional Indian wedding jewelry is made of first class quality metals. People are mostly inclined to go for gold jewelry since it has a rich and opulent appearance though very costly. However, according to latest trends, silver wedding jewelry as well as copper and white gold ornaments are becoming more and more popular among Indians due to their comparatively lower prices, especially gold-plated silver jewelry, cheaper but having the same looks and attraction of pure gold jewelry, is preferred by a lot of families. Wedding jewelry is often selected only after deciding the wedding dress, so that the jewelry can match and compliment the outfit.
Wedding jewelry embellished with Kundan work is one of the most popular traditional decorative jewelry styles. Ornaments, embedded with beautiful and radiant gemstones, are also loved deeply. Silver as well as gold and copper gemstone wedding jewelry, studded with semi-precious and precious stones are available in various colors and so they are purchased to match and highlight the colors in the wedding outfit. Ornaments, adorned with pearls and jewels having exquisite polki, meenakari work, are some other well-preferred options in wedding jewelry. The diversity in Indian jewelry is well-reflected in India’s wedding jewelry sets and individual ornaments as well.
Wedding jewelry like necklaces, pendants, earrings, bangles, bracelets, anklets, amulets, various rings for finger, nose and toe, hairpins, forehead tikka, girdles and other ornaments are often light weight and not flamboyant. Thin, delicate, light jewelry, in simpler designs and subdued colors are favored by a large section of Indians.

As the wedding season approaches the textile shops in India compete with each other in the introduction of dazzling wedding saris. These saris are expensive coming in the traditional colors like red, orange, maroon etc with matching blouses and petticoats. These contain no synthetic materials. Here are a few latest arrivals in bridal sari collections.

This bridal wear elegant brocade sari is in beautiful and rare combination and has intricately woven borders. The full body contains designs made up of small motifs. Pallu’s unique design appears like a meenakari style woven in the background with similar borders on its two sides. Price is $ 259.00

A pure georgette bridal sari, in marvelous jacquard maroon, has golden color floral designs, bold eye catching border and a pallu having a bright floral galeecha design. The sari has a rich majestic look. Sari along with matching blouse is priced at $ 215.00.

A bride looks stunning in a very beautiful and rich looking brocade sari that has a golden color pallu having broad borders on both sides with delicate motifs all along. The delicately and intricately woven pallu is enchanting and the blue and golden color combination enhances the look of the bridal sari. The sari with fancy blouse costs $191

Fine crepe brocade sari in dark green makes a bride exquisitely beautiful. The sari has pretty designs all over the body and scalloped borders with intricate designs. Richly created pallu has huge borders with delicate designs and between the borders highly dense floral sequence are arranged. The price of this sari with matching blouse and petticoat is around $278.50.

Yet another latest release is an elegant brocade sari that has thick border on each side with intricate design all along and dots on the background having scalloped type motifs. This sari, in two rare contrasting combinations with a golden touch, has a pallu divided into three sections having bold designs in them and red tassels are attached on it. Sari with blouse is available at $250.

Again here is a superb brocade sari with a brilliant combination of copper and golden colors. The sari has on its each side well- embellished bold borders. Pallu is designed in a unique style called galeecha in which golden dots and golden motifs are arranged alternately allover. Sari together with matching blouse and petticoat costs $270.50

Simplicity is visible in this elegant wedding sari with a green, pinkish maroon and cream combination, the colors being arranged in a very rare manner. Sari has its extreme border on green base with fabulous meenakari work followed by pinkish maroon borders decorated with small motifs and the remaining part of the body is in cream color without any motifs. In the pallu also the green and pinkish maroon combination is done with exquisite motifs. Red tassels on it make it more attractive. Price of sari with blouse and petticoat is $175.
These are only a very few samples from hundreds of dazzling Indian Bridal Saris.

The 5-meter long sari and Indian woman cannot be separated from each other. Every region in India has saris of its own texture and designs and an Indian woman collects most of them to wear on very special occasions like religious festivals, weddings etc. Here is an account of some of the best saris in India.
Banaras Saris: Banaras, a holy town in Uttar Pradesh State is very famous for its wedding silk saris that decorate an Indian bride’s trousseau. These saris have a characteristic embroidery work that shows similarity with Mughal designs like intricate intertwining floral and foliate motifs, algae and bel. Another special feature is Jhallr, a string of upright leaves on the outer edge of the border. And also Banaras saris are well-known for their heavy gold and silver works. The skilled weavers can change the style of these saris to suit each regional market and also the fast changing trends. The other Banarasi saris such as e Jamvar, Navrangi (nine colors), and Jamdani are also popular.
Chanderi Saris originated in Madhya Pradesh state are light silk or fine cotton saris, very suitable to summer. They often borrow patterns from the Chanderi temples for their embroidery work. These are distinguished with soft colors and the perfect matching of the body and border of the sari. On certain occasions you can these saris in contrasting colors depicting the figures of animal or human on them.

Kanjeewaram Silk Sari: Kanjeevaram, a town in Tamil Nadu State in South India produces the world famous bridal saris that have a tradition of 150 years untouched by any fashion trends. This beautiful silk fabric is made more attractive by weaving gold dipped silver thread into it. Kanjeevaram saris are very expensive since the silk used to weave these are heavy, but are durable. Peacock and parrot are the usual motifs decorating the saris.

Maheswari Saris are available in cotton or silk and the common colors are green and purple. The specialty of this sari is its elaborate patterns and border embellished with exotic motifs done in zari inspired by nature.
Patola Silk Saris are famous for its zari work and elaborate pallus and borders dazzlingly adorned with motifs in warm colors. A handful of master weavers from Patan and Surat make these silks, also famous for its architectural designs, Heer Bharat. The zari has a gentle patina since it is woven in a twill weave. These saris might be decorated with embroidery work using mirrors and beads. Patola saris without zari could be worn on informal occasions.

Some other best Indian saris are Pashmina silk, Kota silk, Mysore crepe, Pochampallis, Puttapakshi, Baluchari, Konrad, and gadwall saris.

Nose ring is a very popular piece of jewelry worn by a hole pierced in the nose. It has been originated in the countries of the Middle East several centuries back. India started the practice of wearing nose rings during the 16th century. Nose rings are mainly connected with the Hindu religion although Muslim ladies and children wear nose rings called ‘nathunis.’
Nose rings began to get popularity in India during the Mughal rule. At that time it was just like a small ornamental pattern depicting a very small flower having a slender stem inserted into the left nostril and a screw inside held it firmly. Usually gold or diamond nose rings are made in the form of a tiny ball or a small flat disc. Sometimes instead of the ball a small stone like a diamond, ruby or any other tiny gem is used. The nose rings come in various styles and colors to match with the clothes. Nose rings and pins not only add grace and charm but also accentuate the nose of the woman.
The type of nose ring is determined by the part of the nose to be worn. Stud rings are ideal to decorate the nostril. A circular barbell is very suitable for the region of septum whereas a straight barbell can decorate the bridge of the nose between the eyes. The nostril rings are sometimes heavy due to the presence of pearl and precious or semi-precious stones. Then the rings are supported by fine chains that are attached to the hair above the ear. The `Bulak` in Madhya Pradesh, is a fine example of this type of nostril ring.
Metals like stainless steel, 14/18 carat gold, nickel, titanium or niobium are normally used to make nose rings. Be careful, nickel rings might cause allergic reactions to some people in and around the area of the ring. If gems are used to decorate the rings see that they are fitted to the rings firmly.
According to the Indian traditional custom Hindu married women should wear a stud or a nose ring by piercing their nose on one or on both sides. There are also nose rings that can be clipped onto the side of the nostrils. Even magnetic jewelry is there to simulate a stud piercing.
Nose rings are available in several shapes, sizes and designs, from very small jewel studs to thick barbells and plugs. These rings started to gain popularity in America and other industrialized Western countries by the end of the 20th century, particularly in punk and youth culture. Though there is a ban for this jewelry in schools and businesses in the United States nose rings are steadily becoming more acceptable, especially in urban areas.