Turn of the Century Sarees

It's not every day that I make historical posts, but here's one today.

The saree has been around for many millennia, but it's been quite hard to track the change it has gone through. It's believed that the saree has only undergone ornamental changes as its six yards (or nine) of fabric is so versatile and can be worn in many ways, instrumental changes were not necessary. After looking at these turn of the century pictures from India and Sri Lanka I think I have to agree. In the past 100 years, at least, changes to the saree have only been 'skin deep'. Even traditional hair ornaments, necklaces and anklets have not changed dramatically. It's only in recent years that the saree has gone through any kind of major makeover or face lift.

Attitude!

Whatever the century, this woman demonstrates that it's your attitude, carriage and confidence that will get you noticed more than anything else! She's rocking that saree and check out the 'odiyanam'!

Back in Fashion

That saree looks like it could be worn today and no one would even guess that it was a hundred years old. Was this hairstyle in fashion back then?

Ornamental Beauty

A silk saree worn with a long sleeved blouse. Traditional ornaments haven't changed much, in fact I think these ornaments look better than some we have now. Check out the anklet/toe ring combo, that's definitely one design I'd love to see reemerge!

Simple Saree

I think this is a good example of how enduring saree styles can be. This traditional style of saree draping has survived to this day.

Plantation Saree

This is the kind of regular-wear many women wore at the turn of the century. Here's a coffee picker going about her business clad in a blouseless saree.

Saree Shawl

This way of wearing a saree doesn't look very practical, but I'm not really sure what the context behind this pictures was so it's hard to say for certain.

Nautch Sarees

These nautch dancers are wearing hair ornaments and other jewelry that would be familiar to modern day Bharathanatya dancers!

High Style

That saree looks costly, especially compared to the ones in the other photos. She's also wearing the anklet/toe ring combo that I've started to really like.

Golden Beauty

Hair shod with flowers, embroidered sarees and gold jewelry never seems to go out of fashion in South Asia! Some of the jewelry designs she's wearing are still popular in South India and Sri Lanka today.

Tea Time

This style of saree draping is still in today!

Rich in Jewelry

She's either very rich or she's royalty! Look at how many necklaces she's wearing and the size of her rings.

Modern Recreation

Here's a modern recreation of this look. It doesn't look quite right!

Child Saree

Sarees for little girls seemed to be common at the turn of the century and they're coming back now.

All Grown Up

Here's the modern version. I'm not a fan of sarees for little girls, it just makes them look too grown up.