Cinderella dreams

It is the tale of a woman wrapped in six yards of mystery. With great care she folds the fabric in neat pleats, and looks at her reflection in the mirror, with pride, once they have been arranged into submission. 

Her body has been adorned with mystical folds of the dreamy fabric, she notices, and a sigh of contentment escapes from her. It became her, she realised, as the folds of the chiffon sari hugged her feminine curves ever so slightly, its pale rose shade complementing the natural flush of her rosy cheeks.  She then delicately clasps on the single strand of pearls awaiting her at the vanity around her swan-like neck, and glides out to greet her eager guests.     

Such is the magic of chiffon. It elevates an everyday ritual into an extraordinary one, to be cherished, adored and remembered. Its allure is incomparable to any other fabric, rendering its wearer onto the rank of a celestial creature. 

Glamorous and enchanting, chiffon saris are stuff dreams are made of. It is of little wonder then that esteemed Bollywood director Yash Chopra always decked out his heroines in pastel chiffon saris. The delicate folds enhance a woman's femininity like no other fabric, which imbues in them an aura of mystery. The actors then became his muse, a foil for his cinematic genius and brilliance. 

Chopra's leading ladies draped in chiffon being serenaded in the Swiss Alps has become one of the most enduring images in celluloid, giving countless women the confidence and the audacity to channel their inner silver-screen goddess by choosing chiffon saris as their drape of choice. It is also the choicest fabric of the Maharanis of Rajasthan, who revel in its timeless elegance and ease with which it keeps them cool and collected in the scorching desert heat.     

Chiffons in pastel shades are eternal and classically beautiful. And the colour spectrum is incredibly varied. From pretty pinks, fun yellows to soothing pistachios and blues - the options are endless. These days bright, neon shades are trending equally in chiffons. 

A fluorescent pink one will look vibrant and youthful, as will a bright lime green. Also exciting are deep colours such as red, cerulean, emerald and orange. Printed chiffons are very stylish, and there is a wide range of designs to choose from. 

Floral prints are an eternal favourite; especially beautiful are the ones in a contrasting colour palette. Other prints such as abstract, geometric and digital look chic and sophisticated. Ombré chiffons are particularly hot this year. A blouse in a similar colour palette will be elegant enough; but if you really want to take things to the next level, choose a contrasting colour or an embroidered one. Small rhinestones on the blouse add a hint of sparkle. 

There are a few tips to keep in mind when wearing chiffon saris. Make sure the petticoat matches the colour of the sari. This may be a painstaking job but the sheer nature of the fabric demands it. One ought to be mindful when wearing such a delicate fabric as it snags, stains and rips at the slightest provocation! 

This is a temperamental material so store it in a cotton sari cover as colour from other fabrics often transfer onto it. Be careful when pinning it; a wrong placement of the safety pin will prick and snag it. Putting a fall on it is essential, or else the sari will rip and tear at the bottom. 

With these tips and tricks in mind, there is nothing that will stop you from emulating your inner silver screen diva and flaunt a chiffon sari with élan and sophistication!    

By Sabrina N Bhuiyan
Photo: Sazzad Ibne Sayed
Model: Mashiat 
Make-up: Farzana Shakil
Blouses: Jahin Khan
Styling: Isha Yeasmin
Jewellery: Kolors of Kathmandu