Timeless Elegance - Dhakai Sarees

Style it up with Jamdani Dhakai

So friends we are back again, this time to talk on a beautiful piece of cloth, called Dhakai.

A Dhakai is a type of sari (traditional cloth for women of South Asia) made with cotton and is the most intensive form of handloom weaving. The name comes from the Dhaka city, capital of Bangladesh, where this type of sari is usually made.

The unique hand technique of weaving was called Jamdani in the old days, while the weave was called Dhakai. Dhakai sari hit rock bottom during the 19^th century due to decline of Mughal dynasty and export of  low quality yarn from Europe.

Gradually this piece of craft is reviving its past glory and number of Bollywood celebrities were spotted in this traditional Bangladeshi Dhakai Jamdani

This year, Vidya walked the ramp for Vikram Padnis  at the Lakme fashion week  wearing a gorgeous black Jamdani Dhakai with multi colored thread pattern work. As usual she looked elegant and splendid.

Priyanka Chopra wore an orange Dhakai with a contrast green blouse in her forthcoming movie, Gunday and we felt she looked simple yet ravishing.

Rani Mukherjee looked impressive wearing a beautiful pink Dhakai with intricate work on it .

Shobha De was seen wearing a radiant red Dhakai at an event, and she totally stole the show.

 Shailee tips to get that perfect look :

1.    Team a white/black Dhakai (without any golden embroidery work) with a dark red raw silk blouse (preferably sleeveless/three fourth sleeves), a red bindi and a long golden chain. If you are wearing a sleeveless blouse then leave your hair open with some soft curls. You can also add a red flower on one side of the open hair, (very similar to the look that Priyanka chopra is carrying in the pic.)

2.    Team a white/black Dhakai (with golden embroidery work on it) with a golden blouse, with a chunky golden neckpiece or a chunky golden jhumka (try either one of them), hair  could open or  tied in a low knit bun. If you are going for a wedding or  being part of a festival, you can glorify this look by adding a gajra around the bun. Carry a nice golden potli with it to complete the look.

  

3. If your Dhakai has golden embroidery on it, then Shailee suggests that you accessorize it only with gold/golden jewellery. 

4.    If your Dhakai has more of white embroidery on it, then Shaillee recommends that you wear pearl jewellery with it to get that classy look.

5.    If you are thinking which color Dhakai you should pick then let us tell you that black, red and white Dhakais are the must haves and they will never go out of fashion. A red Dhakai is becoming a must have in every bride’s trousseau.  

6.  You can also try contrast colored blouses with the Dhakais. Go for brocade or raw silk material for your blouses. They are the latest fad and don’t forget to put a contrast round bindi matching with your blouse.

7.  Try out the latest, “kuchi print Jamdani”, it is a white Jamdani Dhakai with colored borders, pallu and pleats and it has white thread pattern work all over. It comes in various colors but the popular ones are red and white, yellow and white and black and white.

8.   Also try out the half silk Jamdanis with multi colored thread pattern work and golden embroidery work all over.