Wisdoms From The Sari

I truly believe Asian cultures provide a wealth of wisdom on sustainable living. One of the most common practices is mending and reusing items rather than disposing or buying new. This piece hopes to inspire sustainable fashion choices through the rich history of the sari.

A sari can be draped in over 100 different ways. Each region in India and South Asia have its own unique style. While modern synthetic saris are available for as little as $10, traditional saris are a bit more expensive because they use locally sourced materials like silk, cotton and linen. Often made with distinct regional dyeing, printing, and weaving techniques, they are a physical resemblance of hyperlocal culture.

Traditionally, the first sari a woman wears is passed down by her mother. It is seen to be good omen to be wearing your mother’s sari especially during wedding rituals. This piece of unstitched fabric is an heirloom embedded with deep sentimental values.

I remember my grandmother having sari capsules – 4-5 to wear around the house, another set to wear out and a couple of expensive ones for special occasions. Although some were new, many were handed down or gifted and then passed onto my mother. Every sari a woman wears has a story to tell – what mother wore to university, A gift from father, a reminder of a time that was tough or even as simple as a quarrel with the vendor when negotiating price.

As these pass down generations, the stories live on, they get worn, styled and tailored for modern interpretation. Because these garments carry so much meaning, they are washed with care. When they are damaged, they are often mended with embroidery so they can continue to live on with a new look.

I have cherished, vintage filtered pictures of my mother and my grandmother in London, Vienna and New Zealand wearing saris draped to their feet styled with Western items such as cardigans, coats, jumpers, marino wool layers and so on. In these pictures, they would go about their lives like walking in the park, driving and buying fruit at the supermarket. Unfortunately with the rising pressure to integrate, younger Australian South Asians no longer witness these everyday moments.

The tide is however turning. Western South Asian Gen Z is reconnecting with their heritage by modernising the sari in their everyday lives. Content creators show draping of saris over yoga pants instead of skirts, and young entrepreneurs retail sari hybrids of gowns and work wear items. In the past, saris told stories of local cultures, people and heritage. Today, it has turned into something that advocates for inclusivity and expression of self. It’s more than a piece of unstitched fabric. It’s the meeting point of someone’s cultural roots and their present identity.

Saris carry lessons on how to be more mindful when making fashion choices:

1. Buy items that mean something to you. Meaningful items last longer and are timeless.
2. Embrace hand me downs. Pass on clothing and exchange with friends and family.
3. Choose versatile pieces. Invest in items that can be styled in multiple ways.
4. Mend with creativity. Repairing pieces in creative ways gives them a new life without the need to discard.
5. Select items made from quality, sustainable material. Do your research on this one.