Half Sarees

The Charming and Ingenious Half Saree

A half saree or a ‘Langa Voni’ is a unique South Indian Dress worn by young girls between puberty and marriage. However, younger girls may wear it for special occasions. It comprises three distinct parts- a langa or paavadai, a skirt tied around the waist using string, and a voni, oni, or daavani (the pallu). The voni is dressed like lehenaga or petticoat over a choli (a tight-fitting blouse, the same as that worn with a sari). Usually, the garment is woven with cotton or silk. It is a “half” saree and not a “full” saree because the pallu is not part of the skirt. It is a separate cloth. And the skirt has no pleats, unlike that in a saree. A North Indian variation of this would be the ghagra choli, the difference being the direction of the draping.

The Gorgeous South Indian Half Saree(Langa Voni)

Half sarees are very traditionally significant in South India. When a girl reaches puberty, there is a rite of passage ceremony. During this event, the girl is supposed to wear a half-saree. It is worn during the first part of the ceremony, while a complete saree is worn during the second. The south Indian half saree has made quite a name globally. Its refreshing motifs, ingenious designs, and contrasting colors make it an alluring outfit.

Difference Between Half Saree(Langa Voni) and Lehenga

Both lehenga and half saree might look similar, but they are different. A lehenga consists of a blouse and a skirt, with no pallu. However, a skirt, a blouse, and a pallu are in a half saree. All three components blend to form the gorgeous half saree.

Styling Tips for Half Sarees(Langa Voni)

The important part is that the entire half saree should go together. The three components can be of contrasting colors, but they should blend to create an elegant dress. The pairing of an orange blouse, pink draping, and a green skirt gives a summery vibe. You can experiment with colors like blue and golden, yellow and brown, dark green and pink, etc. If you are a Bollywood fan, you must have already seen Deepika Padukone’s endearing outfits from Chennai Express. Those serve as great inspiration outfits.

Half sarees are also available in various fabrics, like georgettes, chiffons, net, silk, etc. The great thing about a half saree is that the pallu and skirt can be of a different fabric. This promotes a lot of experimenting. So, try out a Banarasi silk skirt with a net pallu or a cotton skirt with a georgette pallu. The options are endless.

Blouse Designs

Being a primarily South Indian outfit, the blouse should also source inspiration from there. An elegant style would be puffy shoulder-length sleeves with lace on the border. The neckline depends on the preferences of the person who would wear it. Make the back fashionable and stylish with some cutouts or a deep back. Attach some latkans and tassels on the back to take it to the next level. For some heavy embroidery, brocaded or zari work would work so well on a half saree.

Jewelry Styles

Go for magnificent-looking South Indian jewelry. The jewelry design will also depend on the neckline of your blouse. If the neckline is deep, go for long gold necklaces to enhance the open neck. If the neckline is low, you can go for a close gold choker. Kundan jewelry would also look extravagant on a half saree. As for earrings, you can try some chunky jhumkas or chandbalis to give your outfit some edge.

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