What do you understand by the term fashion? It is not only the things you wear or style yourself in. Fashion is all about how you express your inner self, your personality, and identity. It’s not just about looking chic and standing elegantly in a crowd, but it’s about the way people look at you. Since the past few decades, we are very inspired by western fashion trends and dressing styles. Thus it’s great when you follow fashion bloggers and celebrities to get cool styling and dressing tips for yourself. However, do not forget that you can be trend-setters yourself too. Trying something new and innovative is the way to express your on-the-go and bold nature. It’s a matter of comfort and confidence you experience when you wear certain ensemble.

Fashionistas are giving equal importance to traditional attires recently. Indian culture is blessed with different outfits and ensembles that represent diversity along the nation. One such attire is a Saree. Sarees have remained a popular choice of styling since olden days in India and is definitely climbing up the fashion charts in modern India too. Saree is one of the easiest to wear an outfit which you can select. Even the simplest of saree can bring out the real beauty of women.

Saree As A Fashionable Ensemble

Shweta Chitrode, a fashion blogger, takes her saree swag a step further as she explores the landscapes and cultures of Ladakh. She is a serious fan of sarees and adores wearing them. Saree comes in myriad varieties from cotton to chiffon to silk in various patterns and designs beyond your imagination. Sarees come in 5 and 9-yard drapes; the 9yard saree is also called as Nauvari. Nauvari is a form of saree that can be worn to battlefields. High altitude or difficult terrains don’t hold you back from sporting this rocking Maharashtrian attire that reflects elegance with the highest comfort. The Maharashtrian ensemble is incomplete without the traditional jewelry – Nath, Mohan mala, thushi, Laksmi haar, kolhapuri saaj, rani haar, tikada, Vaaki, earcuffs, ambadas and much more.

Confluence Of Cultures

Speaking of Shweta and her adventure with sarees; she strived to unite the Ladakhi and Maharashtrian cultures by wearing sarees to her trip to Ladakh. She took her sarees to the trek to Leh-Ladakh. Shweta’s day trips involved exploring Ladakh based on different themes – Ladakhi culture, Ladakhi cuisine, Ladakhi animals and picturesque landscapes of Ladakh. You must note that the climb to various treks here are very steep and requires careful driving and climbing.

Walking Difficult Terrains Of Ladakh In Saree

It was really difficult for Shweta to climb the passes in saree at first because some places are covered in sand while others have sturdy rocks or deep water (no plain land to be seen). She made sure to wear flat footwear and tuck in the saree properly which made the journey more comfortable.

Styling Sarees At Different Locales Of Ladakh

Shweta carried three sarees to the foothills of Himalaya and planned to cherish them in the following way:

Nauvari Saree:

Shweta wore her nauvari saree to Pangong Lake. To reach here one needs to pass the Changla pass. The waters of the Pangong Lake range from shades of greens and blues. Thus she chose a magenta and royal blue nauvari saree with Marathi jewelry to compliment the locale. The temperature falls below 4 oC there which is why Shweta wore thermal pants to combat chills.

Chiffon Green Saree:

Nubra valley which comes after crossing the world’s highest motorable road (Khardungal Pass) with extreme patches of sand dunes and lush green fields. She chose to wear her green chiffon saree with Kalamkari block print blouse to complement the green landscapes of the valley.

Pink Chiffon Saree:

Tangtse is a small village near Pangon with a quaint landscape where beautiful clouds, blue sky, green fields, water bodies, mountains, grazing yaks and even rocks seemed so picture-perfect. Wearing pink saree was just perfect selection to match this location. It seemed like a freshly bloomed flower amidst the garden. She managed to capture Marmots (Himalayan squirrels) in the nearby rocky terrain in her camera without disturbing their privacy.

Doesn’t all this sound so cool? Wearing a saree may be a choice but making it a fashion statement is something that really matters. Shweta is the first female fashion ever to wear nauvari in Ladakh. Her ethnic drive has set examples for fashion seekers. we hope many more gals to follow her footprints and style sarees with comfort in such locations.

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