This look is deeply personal. A voile sari from Nikita’s nani’s wardrobe carries threads of memory, inheritance, and everyday elegance. But in truth, it is not a “real” sari in the conventional sense. It has no woven pallu. Instead, it is a length of fabric her nani wore and draped as a sari. This is not an uncommon style, and this improvisation makes it intimate, turning an everyday textile into elegance.
“The iconic Mumtaz sari [Brahmachari, 1968] was perfect for this zari-thread voile. However, since the look was to be casual and stylish, I draped the sari loose for comfort and style. The sari goes around the body three times and with each round, the border of the sari moves up, giving it a circular look.” – Nikaytaa
The history of voile is rooted in global movement and adaptation. The word voile means “veil” in French. It describes a lightweight, semi-sheer fabric, usually made of cotton and sometimes blended with linen or silk. Voile became popular in colonial trade between Europe and South Asia because of its softness and breathability, especially in tropical climates like India. In the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, voile was woven in European mills and exported worldwide. In India, voile lengths were often cut and draped into saris, even without woven pallus. The fabric’s lightness and affordability made it a favorite for daily wear.
The absence of a woven pallu in this sari reflects the resourcefulness of women who made do with what was available, turning plain fabric into stylish attire. This improvisation is part of a long tradition of ingenuity. Women adapted uncut lengths into elegant saris, finding beauty in simplicity and function.
Nikita’s nani’s voile holds layered history: traces of trade, adaptation, and the gestures of inheritance. It connects material movement and cultural circulation with personal memory. The look is inspired by the iconic Mumtaz drape and East Champaran drape from Bihar. The loose wrap goes around the body three times, lifting the border higher with each round and creating a circular rhythm that merges casual comfort with effortless style.
Did you know that voile started as a fabric for fancy dresses and curtains in Europe before traveling across continents? Its airy nature made it perfect for warm climates. In India, voile was prized as sari fabric for its lightweight feel and the way it adapted to many styles, helping turn simple lengths of cloth into everyday grace.
Sari: Personal closet