There is hardly another ensemble that is as versatile as the saree. And Rani Mukerji, our birthday girl today, has shown us how on a number of occasions. Wear it like it is traditionally worn, or introduce your own twist to it, the 9-yard never fails to wow – the one wearing it and the onlookers alike. With the only complaint with a saree being the cumbersome process of wearing it, even that has now been sorted with the slip-on sarees that you can glide on as easily as your pants, so that you can wear them without any nakhre. So much to say about sarees and how you can style it and make it look like a different ensemble altogether!
Par, without wasting time, let’s dive into 5 timeless classics adorned by Rani Mukerji on various events and learn to #BeALittleMore.
1. Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna Black Chiffon Saree
If you are not exactly a fan of black, grab a colour of your choice for your chiffon saree. Bring in just the right degree of shimmer that suits your personality. As for the blouse, the sky’s the limit to experimentation.
Rani had sported as many as 6 different chiffon saree looks for the song, Tumhi Dekho Na from Karan Johar’s movie, Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna. All of them were talked about with great gusto by her fans and fashionistas. However, it was the black shimmery chiffon saree that had made her break the dance floor, not with her moves but by what she wore! The backless sheer blouse grabbed eyeballs yet again. Her only accessory was a bracelet, thus, ensuring that the spotlight was entirely on her saree.
How You Can Get The Look
Nothing like a black saree when you want to kill the look on a fancy night out, right? If you are not exactly a fan of black, grab a colour of your choice for your chiffon saree. Bring in just the right degree of shimmer that suits your personality. As for the blouse, the sky’s the limit to experimentation. Set your eyes on a lacey blouse or a backless one, you will set the temperatures soaring with this number. Remember to keep the accessories as minimalistic as possible because you want to make the sultry ensemble to do all the talking. Accessories with a diamond stud or a matte gold-toned belt to finish the look. Here’s a guide on how to reuse old saree and transform your look completely.
Read 10 Saree Draping Styles You Need To Bookmark For The Wedding Season
2. White Saree With Red Border
Last but not the least, the Bengali look remains incomplete without a white saree with a red border. A second border of black and white instils a distinct look to this saree. Another of her classic Durga Puja looks, Rani adds a modern touch to it by not wearing it the traditional Bengali way. What’s more, she also chose to wear the sari with a simple, sleeveless black blouse rather than going full-on traditional. She gave neck accessories a miss, and styled the saree with a stack of golden bangles and gold ear hoops. She also steered clear of an intricate hairdo and instead let her hair loose.
How You Can Get The Look
Steal a white saree with a red border from one of your desi Bong friends and you are sorted. Wear it like you usually do or go all out and try it the Bengali way. As for the blouse, try a plain black or red colour to accentuate with the sari, or go for a complimentary-coloured printed blouse for a different look. Pair the saree with gold accessories (real or otherwise) of your choice and you’re all ready to strut out with your latkas, jhatkas, and matkas.
3. Rani As Designer Sabyasachi’s Muse
Rani has been spotted wearing a Sabyasachi a myriad of times. Yet the subtle pastel green traditional saree stands out for being a classic beauty. The uncommoness of the colour is further accentuated with silver zari floral work and a broad silver border. The blouse is equally traditionally styled and mirrors the colour and zari design of the saree. The blouse is covered till the neck, while the sleeves touch her elbows. The rims of the saree blouse have intricate silver detailing yet again. The finesse of the ensemble is complemented with a tiny white sling bag, matching green danglers, bracelet, rings of precious stones, smokey eyes, silver bindi, and neatly pulled-back bun.
How You Can Get The Look
A pastel saree spells class. Choose a pastel coloured saree that catches your fancy – one with silver or gold sari floral designs and borders that speaks about the sheer artistic craftsmanship of its maker. For the blouse, keep it traditional. Let it be an extension of the saree in terms of its colour and the flattering zari work. Balance the thread work of the saree with a simple blouse like that of Rani’s or a sleeveless one. For a more traditional occasion, explore the zamindari-styled full-sleeved blouse. For makeup, follow the smokey eyes and nude lips as Rani or minimalistic eye makeup along with a dark-toned lipstick shade.
Read 10 Must-Visit Shops For A Saree Shopping Spree In Kolkata
4. Masaba Sarees For Bunty Aur Babli 2 Film Promotion
Get your hands on a quirky-printed saree like that of Rani’s, selecting the identical print for your full-sleeved blouse.
Look 1: The first look unveiled during the promotions of Rani’s comeback movie was a dark green saree with red and black floral prints. The colours of the florals played dramatically with that of the dark base. Rani wore the saree with a scooped-necked, full-sleeved blouse of the same colour and motifs as the saree. She chose a stack of red bangles, a pair of earrings, a statement ring, and a silver nose stud as her accessories.
Look 2: The second look for the film’s promotion saw her in a jhatak yellow saree with quirky gai prints all over and a full-sleeved blouse of the same print to match. Her stack of right blue bangles and a bindi of the same shade acted as a colour block for her hatke ensemble. No other accessories, except a nose stud, completed her look.
Look 3: For the third saree, the beige-ish colour of the base was well complemented with white and black floral prints, worn yet again with a full-sleeved blouse of the same print. A black stack of bangles cut the monotony of the same-designed outfit. This time, the nose studs gave way to a sleek nose ring and no other accessories.
What was common among all the three looks was the stack of monochrome glass bangles and nose accessories. Not just that, the Rani-esque heavily kohled and bold mascara look, and nude lips imparted the perfect understated makeup that the quirky outfits demanded.
How You Can Get The Look
Get your hands on a quirky-printed saree like that of Rani’s, selecting the identical print for your full-sleeved blouse. Since the prints are the same for the saree and the blouse, experiment with the way you drape the saree. Wear it the Gujarati style or the Bengali style to introduce a further touch of uniqueness.
Explore different cuts and styles for the neck of the blouse and the sleeves. Try boat neck or off-shoulders for breaking the monotony of the identical prints, or opt for a lacey or netted sleeve to add a touch of your own. If you feel that would be way too much experimentation for you, stick to the full sleeves like Rani. Or, do away with the sleeves altogether and go for a spaghetti blouse. Keep the makeup and accessories minimalist to balance out the look.
5. Flaming Red Sari With Purple And Gold Border For Durga Puja
To start with, steal a bright Banarasi (or Benaroshi as Bongs would like to call it) saree from your mother’s wardrobe, if you don’t have any of your own. Take care to choose one that has a hatke-coloured border. Match the border with your blouse.
Red saree with a purple and gold border – Rani nailed the look right there with this unique combination. Small golden thread work grace the saree evenly all over the body and the aanchal. The colour of the blouse reflects the purple border of her outfit and is devoid of traditional motifs. Note the long multi-layered pearl necklace with a heavy antique locket, with danglers to match. The list of accessories does not end here because it is Durga Puja afterall. The broad gold bangle accentuates perfectly with the sakha and pola, worn by married Bengali women. Taking the chatak red colour of the saree, the actress has deliberately kept her eye makeup subdued and complemented it with bright red lips.
How To Get The Look
To start with, steal a bright Banarasi (or Benaroshi as Bongs would like to call it) saree from your mother’s wardrobe, if you don’t have any of your own. Take care to choose one that has a hatke-coloured border. Match the border with your blouse. Go plain with the blouse to avoid going overboard with the colours and motifs. Pair the outfit with pearl or gold jewellery to stand out. Lastly, go for minimalistic eye makeup with red lipstick and you are good to make heads turn.
Tell us which are your favourite saree looks from Rani’s wardrobe and share which ones you would like to try out in the comment section below.
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