It is indeed amazing how a mere strip of cloth measuring anywhere between five and six yards, is so ready to adjust to all manner of experiments! After working on designs, styles of draping, etc, the latest emphasis is on the border of the saree.
The Glitter of Gold
Gold Sequins
A sheer saree with intricate beadwork on it looks great! The light or heavy scattering of sequins across the border can make it look greater!
Plain Gold
Let the border of a plain silk saree be of pure, plain gold, with no embellishments.
Golden Lining
This time round, the border is beautifully done, albeit with just a thin line of gold on it.
Nude and Gold
A saree with a nude background is subdued and simple. A striking gold border can make all the difference!
Embroidery
Gold threads brought together in the form of intricate embroidery on the border of a chiffon or georgette saree, are attention capturing!
Shining Choices
Zari
A bold-looking border designed from bronze zari work can make the plainest of chiffons look bewitching!
If you love traditional temple sarees designed from pure cotton or silk, you should opt for a border having rich and brilliant zari threads.
Zardosi
Zardosi always look attractive, wherever it is on display. Therefore, use it for the border.
Zardosi Work
A border with zardosi work can make the light-coloured body of the saree look extremely alluring!
Banarasi
Chiffon fabric is superb for highlighting the richness of a Banarasi silk border. It would help to have striking shades of gold, silver, hot pink or red.
Silver
Skilful embroidery with silk threads should look fantastic on the border of a brightly coloured plain saree.
Diamonds
Gaudy diamonds still manage to glorify the plain saree with gold-embossed motifs scattered across it.
Velvet
It is a royal fabric, fabulously soft and silken to the touch! Use it for the border, while keeping textures and lines to the minimum.
Satin
The thin border should be of black satin or even, georgette. An alternative is chamoise satin.
Pearls
In case, the border displays heavy embroidery, you might have pearls scattered across it, to make it look classy.
Creative Displays
Lace
A lacy fringe on the border of a bright saree should only serve to heighten its vibrancy!
An alternative is lacy embroidery, with the threads appearing in diverse shades of blue, green, etc.
A third option is to have tussles included in the lace border, if you are going to wear a saree designed from the flimsiest of fabrics.
Mirror Work
Innovative mirror work on the border can add lustre to the dullest of sarees! Insert light embroidery work in between, for greater elegance.
Sequins
Sober colours go well with sequinned borders. Add fringes, tussles or pom-poms if you must.
Miscellaneous Work
- Appliqué Work shows up beautifully on plain georgette sarees.
- Floral Motifs look great anywhere on the saree, including the border.
- Kundan embroidery suggests that an extremely skilled artist has worked on the border.
- A scalloped border looks glorious on a net saree.
Checks and Contrasts
A border with checks can look wonderfully elegant, despite its simple appearance.
Similarly, a border that contrasts heavily with the body of the plain saree designed from silk, net, cotton or lace fabrics, looks stunning.
Heavy Border
If the colours are chosen wisely, the lightweight body of the saree and the heavyweight border bond well.
Summary
The border forms just a small part of the lengthy garment called ‘saree’. Yet, it can enhance the overall beauty of it, or destroy its charm! Therefore, borders should be chosen with care.
Fashion for Life 
Leave a comment