Handloom sarees are definitely having a moment in Bollywood right now. Only this time, these sarees are being styled like the clothes we wear on the weekend, instead of something you reserve for festivals, weddings, or your grandma’s closet. From Kangana Ranaut’s classic weaves to Alia Bhatt’s sophisticated drapes and Ananya Panday’s chic take on regional sarees, it’s clear that Indian celebrities can make handloom look great.
Celebs Have Made Handloom Cool Again
Celebrities have also helped put sarees back on fashion’s radar lately.
National Handloom Day on August 7 was another reminder of how popular India’s weaving culture is becoming, with many celebrities like Dia Mirza and Kritika Kamra speaking about how handwoven fabrics are valuable parts of Indian culture.
From Kanjeevaram to Chanderi, the Weaves Are Getting the Spotlight
The reason we love handloom more than just another saree is the story of the fabric itself. Kanjeevaram, Banarasi, Chanderi, Jamdani, Kota, Patola and Kotpad, just to name a few have their own backstory of weaving techniques, textures and come from specific regions all over India.
And Bollywood is doing its part in helping these weaves earn their spot in regular rotation.
Take Kangana Ranaut. The actress is known for regularly rotating traditional handlooms into her wardrobe. She recently wore a Kotpad saree in ivory and red during a trip to Bhubaneswar, pointing spotlight at one of Odisha’s many traditional weaves.
Actress Kritika Kamra wore a handloom saree made of Chanderi, a traditional fabric native to Madhya Pradesh at her wedding. The choice helped give the handloom a more personal touch as opposed to looking too grand or bridal.
Celebrity Style: Bollywood Is Helping Handloom Look Cool Again
But what’s most noticeable is how these actresses are styling them.
Whether it’s teaming a handloom saree with a sleeveless blouse, a belt, modern jewellery, less makeup or even easy shoes, handloom is getting a much-needed styling upgrade. Case in point: Bollywood. And that’s important for a younger generation to see. Because when you see a handloom saree styled for an art gallery opening, or office party or festive lunch or red-carpet event, you realise it’s not as hard to work into your wardrobe as you think.
Stylist Rhea Kapoor has also been lauded for bringing rare Indian weaves into the celebrity circuit by styling them in a modern way that doesn’t treat them as ‘old fashioned’ or just traditional garments.
The Future Of Handloom: Why The New Generation Loves It So Much
Which brings us to the reason we want to talk about handloom all the time. When you look beyond the fabric itself, buying handloom is about a lifestyle many of us are talking about these days: craftsmanship, local production, sustainable practices and buying clothes that have a story or meaning behind them.
Handloom ticks all of the above boxes. But bonus? Handloom textiles also allow for individuality. After all, since nothing is mass-produced or machine-made, the handwork that goes into these textiles means that sometimes the same fabric might not look alike.
Celebrities also aren’t afraid of wearing something fancy. But when you see them walking the red carpet in a Banarasi or Chanderi saree or a regional handloom instead of just another heavy sequined gown, it just makes a point: Indian textiles can be high fashion too without forgetting where they come from.
Indian celebrities are showing us how to wear handloom on our own terms. That’s why the humble handloom saree isn’t just back. It’s being reinvented.
