The sari top, or choli, is a fitted top worn under a sari, a traditional Indian garment made of silk or cotton. The sari blouse dates back over 5,000 years and is a work of art with intricate designs and patterns. Modern variations include stretchier materials and longer lengths for practicality. The sari blouse is also worn with other traditional Indian garments and is now being incorporated into Western fashion.
A sari top, or choli, is a short, fitted top worn under a sari. The sari, which includes a sari blouse, is the traditional fashion of India and dates back several thousand years. Even the sacred texts of India refer to the yards of material, draped to enhance the beauty of flowing silk. The sari is believed to be the oldest “fashionable” women’s clothing in the world, surpassing all other Far Eastern styles.
The first recorded reference to sarees was over 5,000 years ago in the Mahabharata. In the famous epic, the wife of one of the grieving families was the prize in a gambling game. Her victors tried to humiliate her by grabbing the edge of her sari and untangling her yards of silk. Her attempt to undo it petered out in defeat and frustration. This was symbolic of the forces of chaos and destruction, trying to unravel the infinite.
The Indian sari is a work of art. Materials are traditionally natural fabrics, mainly silk or cotton with an elaborate brocade border. The details of the design and pattern are very intricate. Shisha (or mirror) designs are also very popular. The six yards (5.48 meters) of material will often have extra length at the end to form a matching sari top. However, modern preferences for comfort are introducing stretchier knitted materials for the sari blouse.
The sari blouse was originally open at the back and only covered the front. Variations in fashion have come into play for practicality. The modern sari top drapes the back and remains cropped to the stomach, exposing the navel. It has short sleeves and a low neckline.
In addition to the sari, a choli or sari blouse can be worn with a gypsy style lehnga or skirt. Like the sari, the lehnga is made of sheer, thin fabric with intricate patterns. Women also rely on the sari blouse as an undergarment, much like a camisole, and it is worn under a kameez, which is a traditional semi-transparent shirt worn by both men and women.
Office and military dress codes generally prohibit the pot-bellied saree top. As a result, a design has become popular for professional women that includes an elbow length sleeve and a longer length so that the saree blouse can be tucked in. Practical materials are chosen for these fashions.
Western women now include the sari blouse in their designer outfits, using a wide variety of natural and synthetic materials. Some of the most established designers are now incorporating the sari blouse into their exclusive fashions.
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