Kasavu saree is one of Kerala’s most iconic traditional dresses, known for its elegant off-white or cream fabric and distinctive golden border. The saree is widely worn for festivals, weddings and cultural events and has an old-school, yet contemporary taste of modern fashion.
Recently, fashion lovers have discovered a new way to style the classic Kasavu saree without sacrificing the cultural significance of the traditional dress.
Kasavu saree can never be lost in a modern day look and feel of fashion. Making a Kasavu saree a modern one does not mean throwing it away. Small shifts in the blouse, draping style, jewellery, hairstyle and accessories can change the outfit. You can do everything if you’re getting ready for Onam, a wedding, a family festival or a special evening.
Pick a Contemporary Blouse
The blouse is probably the best way to add a modern feature to one of the classic Kasavu saree. Although, a simple matching blouse remains a timeless choice, experimentation with colour can give you a different look. Emerald green, royal blue, wine, maroon and deep purple can be used as an eye-catching contrast to the cream and gold saree.
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For those looking for more fashion-forward, modern blouse silhouettes can also make a difference. Puff sleeves, statement sleeves, high necklines, square necks, structured cuts and contemporary back designs can add personality to the outfit. A blouse with subtle embroidery, textured fabric or delicate embellishments can also elevate the saree for evening occasions.
Experiment With the Drape
The Kasavu drape is graceful, but changing the pallu can give the outfit a new look. Keeping the pleats crisp and the pallu well-arranged brings a polished look and a softer drape can be more relaxed and effortless.
A slim belt around the waist is another popular way to modernise a saree. A simple metallic or fabric belt can define the silhouette and keep the pallu in place. But the belt should complement instead of overpower the saree.
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Mix Traditional and Modern Jewellery
Gold jewellery is a natural companion to the Kasavu saree, but don’t necessarily need a heavy traditional jewellery set. The modern interpretation might be to combine classic pieces with minimal designs.
Statement earrings can be paired with a simple chain, and layered necklaces can be a modern festive look. Traditional Kerala-style jhumkas, bangles and necklaces are great choices if you want to highlight the saree’s cultural roots.
For a more understated look, choose one statement jewellery piece and keep the rest minimal. This allows the saree and blouse to remain the main focus.
Give Your Hairstyle a Fresh Update
Hair styling can change a Kasavu saree’s entire look in a very short time. A traditional low bun with jasmine flowers remains an elegant one for festivals and weddings. Modern hairstyles, however, create a completely different mood.
Soft waves, sleek low ponytail, a polished bun or contemporary braid can add a fashionable touch. You can also integrate old and new elements by adding a small string of jasmine flowers to a sleek bun or braid.
Choose Makeup That Complements the Look
Makeup can be kept traditional or updated depending on the situation. A classic combination of defined eyes, glowing skin and a red or berry lip goes great with the Kasavu saree.
I’d suggest natural-looking makeup for a modern day look with softly defined eyes, subtle blush and a nude or peach lip. For evening celebrations a bold lip or softly smoky eyes can add glamour without taking away from the elegance of the saree.
Complete the Look With Modern Footwear
The right shoes can add a finishing touch to a modern Kasavu saree outfit. Sandals and embellished flats are great for day to day celebrations and metallic heels or elegant block heels are good for evening.
Comfort is also important, especially during festivals and long celebrations. A stylish pair of flats can look just as stylish as heels when paired with the right blouse and accessories.
Add a Contemporary Handbag
A small handbag can give a saree that old a modern look instantly. Metallic clutches, structured mini bags and sleek potlis are great to wear at festive events. If your blouse is heavily embellished, opt for a simpler bag to keep things in balance.
A neutral or metallic accessory can complement the gold border of the Kasavu saree without creating too much visual contrast.
Style It for Different Occasions
The Kasavu saree is versatile. For Onam celebration you can wear it with a colourful blouse, gold jewellery and jasmine flowers for a fun family look. For a wedding a richly embroidered blouse and statement jewellery can make it a more glamorous outfit.
For the modern evening, wear a structured blouse, sleek hairstyle, minimal jewellery and metallic heels. This way the traditional saree is the heart of the outfit and modern fashion elements are introduced.
Keep the Look Balanced
As the saree is an all-new classic Kasavu saree and has a unique and elegant design, it shouldn’t be overloaded with accessories as it is in the conventional saree. Choose a few statement elements and give them the space to complement the unstructured look of the saree.
A modern blouse with traditional jewellery and a classic blouse with contemporary accessories can create an effortlessly stylish combination. The aim is to enhance the saree rather than disguise its traditional identity.
With a few subtle touches on its styling, Kerala’s cream and gold saree can look elegant and youthful while still being a part of the culture that makes it special. The Kasavu saree is an ideal dress for you and you have many ways of wearing it that are very effective.
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