Half Sarees

Adorn Beautiful Half Sarees from Mirraw

When it comes to authentic Indian wear, there is no match for the six yards of elegance of saree. While we love the beautiful look of the sarees, we don’t quite love the fussiness of it. In this fast-paced life, sarees are often difficult to drape and maintain. This certainly does not mean you have to let off the garment all-together. Enters the laid-back yet lavish-looking half-sarees. A type of attire traditionally worn by adolescent girls, the half saree is a garment consisting of three parts, namely a skirt, a blouse and a cloth to be draped over the upper body. Nowadays, it is popular with women of any age due to its sheer comfort and tons of half saree designs. Here at Mirraw too, there is a wide variety of half sarees in a wide variety of colors, fabrics, border style, and work on them. So, on that note, let's get into the stylish world of half sarees.

Half Sarees from South India

Half sarees always hold a special place in Indian culture for the young generation. As mentioned before, the half-saree comprises a langa or paavadai, a skirt which is tied around the waist using string, A voni, oni, or daavani, equivalent to a dupatta is a cloth usually 2 to 2.5 metres in length. This voni is draped diagonally over a choli (a tight-fitting blouse, the same as that worn with a saree). Usually, the half-saree is woven with cotton or silk. In Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, they are called Langa Voni. In Tamil Nadu, they are known as Pattu Pavadai Dhavani or Pavadai Dhavani, and in Karnataka, they are referred to as Langa Davani.

A typical half saree can be paired with a matching or contrasting blouse, and a draped voni. Skirts or Pavadai are made with zari work, embroidery design, prints, and geometrical design for a dazzling look. For an air of grace, skirts with traditional motifs such as flowers and geometric prints are perfect.

In recent years, langa voni is gaining trending among girls and young women as occasional wear due to its popularity in fashion and media circles. The half saree designs were known for its simplicity but they can now be seen with opulent embroidery, mirror or zari work. They are also available in unconventional colors like black and gray which were once considered inauspicious. Initially made in the usual silk or cotton, we can now see a great range of fabrics such as chiffon, georgette, crepe and nylon. Full sarees are sometimes woven in a way so that the fabric, when worn, changes color or pattern at the hip. This gives the full saree the visual effect of a langa voni.

In Kerala, half sarees are known as Kerala Saree or Settu Mundu. They are made from pure cotton or silk fabrics. These designs feature simple yet exquisite patterns, often featuring golden or silver zari borders. Karnataka's Langa Davani draws inspiration from traditional Mysore silk sarees. The intricate designs, exquisite temple borders, and heavy zari work on the pallu give it a royal appearance.

Jewelry and Hairstyle Tips for Half Sarees

The fabric, necklines and richness of the half saree set plays a huge part in selecting necklace and earrings. For example, in Kanchipuram silk, the skirt and the heavy border of the dupatta look luxurious. Balance the look by opting for a long heavy gold necklace and stud earrings. In case of closed necklines such as boat neck, select big gold or multi-stone jhumkas to keep the entire look simple and classy.

From delicate kadas with auspicious symbols to heavy Suryanar Temple designs, and white-gold bangles, there are many options in flaunt-worthy bangles. You can pair delicate kadas with lighter fabrics such as chiffon or cotton half sarees. For heavy silk half sarees, white gold kadas or temple design will give you a royal look. Many women love wearing glass ethnic lac bangles with precious gold kadas.

Kamarbandh are the waist belts that are worn to keep the half saree in place as well as accentuate the waist. You can wear a temple jewelry belt with kasavu half sarees for a coordinated look. The belts with dangling charms and strings of pearls can be worn with silk sarees for an opulent look. Simple waist chains can be worn with linen or chiffon sarees for a minimal look. If you want a break from traditional styles, you can go for multi-layered, crystal, gemstone or silver kamarbandh. You can opt for crystal and gemstone one for lightweight fabrics to amp up the saree and keep the rest of the look minimal.

The hairdo depends on the occasion and comfort. The popular ones are the half ponytail and braids, which are traditionally worn by South Indian girls. They are perfect when you want to keep hair away from your face. These styles are perfect when your saree is lightweight and you are playing with hair jewelry like maangtikka or mathapatti. For the ones who want a fuss-free hairstyle, an updo style such as a chignon bun or a beehive style. You can select either of these styles to highlight the statement earrings. You can also skip the necklace and go for a big flowered or bejeweled bun. The updo hairstyles look great when you wear a silk or a georgette saree for a poised look.

Buy Half Sarees on Mirraw

So, now that you are equipped with styling and jewelry tips for half sarees, it is time to buy the best half saree for yourself as well. Mirraw's extensive catalog of half sarees will leave you enchanted. Mirraw offers all types of half sarees in various hues, embroidery, and fabrics. Fast shipping is available in the USA, Canada, Australia, UK and internationally. Free shipping is available in India.