For the lore is old and with reduced plinth areas, people are also opting to go minimal and sustainable with their closet sizes and what to put inside their closet. People are also becoming wiser for their personality types and augmenting their original selves in a more individualistic fashion. Sarees have begun to be seen as one such sustainable choice for the modern woman. She is using the lighter fabrics for an airy office attire, but the heavier fabrics for the colder seasons. Let us understand a little about the modern women, their modern closet and how Banarasi Saree is a sustainable choice for the modern closet.
Sustainable and Handlooms
People do not understand the meaning of sustainable. In terms of fashion, sustainability is not just about having pieces in wardrobe that can be styled in various ways, but it also stands for eco-friendly fabrics and the way it supports the weavers and artisans. Considering this as the definition, sustainability in the fashion industry, especially with respect to the Indian Banarasi heritage, JDS Banaras has been voicing in its favor for long. According to us, it is the artisan and not weavers (check here why they are artisans {insert link to history of banarasi saree blog}) who weave and draw dreams and visions into these fabrics, hence they deserve all our respects. However when it comes to the eco-friendly part, unlike most factory made artificial fabrics, these handloom fabrics are a wonderful choice for the global weather conditions.
Sustainable for Skin and Organic Compositions
The skin remains rash-free and since silk and cottons are hypoallergenic, one does not need to fear any other skin issues. Banarasis are made mostly of silk, thus making these heritage heirlooms which you can happily pass to the next generation if you have yourself not worn it out. What is more beneficiary is that you can easily convert these handloom silk banarasis into multiple attires and household décor or utility pieces too.
Let us help you understand this.
The meenakari rangkat banarasi silk saree you see here makes a very sustainable choice. You can wear this to your own wedding and multiple weddings and social occasions for years to come. Once you feel you are willing to let it go to the next generation, as a cultural handover of the traditions, this saree finds a new owner who can wear it as such with a multitude of blouse ideas. Or, the new owner can happily turn it into a lehenga skirt and get a sassy collared blouse from the pallu and an entirely new attire to make for many more versatile combinations as the skirt and the blouse can individually have many pairings of their own.
A handloom banarasi silk dupatta such as the one shown here, makes for a wonderful accessory to sober and yet add panache to any monochrome outfit. This can also be worn as a scarf, or when done by a fashion expert, see this transform even into a top for the oomph factor.
Banarasi Saree: Eco-friendly
Handloom banarasi sarees are authentic silks. The sericulture industry gets a huge boom from each patron opting for a silk. But that is not all, the dyes used are non-chemical dyes in most cases, hence the water pollution angle is checked. The other factor is these sarees and fabrics do not occupy a place in the landfill as these degrade over the period, the easiest proof is that silks need extra wash care as these are easy to attract pests that love to devour.
Handloom Silk Sarees even for your boys
In the bid for sustainable fashion, another fun twist has begun to emerge. Men are slowly embracing the idea of dhotis. Banarasi sarees make for a wonderful statement in this direction. If you do not have a daughter, maybe your fashion forward son can find an excellent use from your saree and drape it as a dhoti to the next social event. He needs a plain kurta, preferably in contrast, and the eyes will cling for inspirations, but the best part is your saree is reused without the intervention of a scissor or needle. And even if they make a bold choice to get an organza kurta ready from your handloom banarasi organza saree, why not support them!
Modernly Sustainable for Slow Fashion
You can buy a gorgeous golden-hued banarasi saree in modern prints for your daughter’s next birthday. Why not! When the Spanish celebrate quinceanera, make it an Indian tradition of your own to hand over your traditions to the next generation. A bright and bold color in modern stripe work makes a good choice. She can use it for double drapes, pant sarees, and more when she has to attend various occasions. Maybe, who knows, inspired she buys herself a saree when she celebrates her own first salary!
Final Address:
Why are we promoting Handloom Banarasi sarees and fabrics as a sustainable choice for the modern closet? Because we have been believers in respecting our heritage, our artisans, our trade and economy, and our eco values for more than a century now. These sarees and fabrics open a plethora of fashion options and why purchase many, when one good option makes your wardrobe worth inspiration.
Sacred Weaves:
Born as the online division of JDS Banaras, Sacred Weaves has been upholding the values of slow fashion and sustainability since its inception. Housing collections that can be draped and paired in multiple ways, the boutique collection has something for every age group. This also includes a gift section which makes, gifting easy for men and women alike. Check the collections on www.sacredweaves.com and you shall know our promise!