Vidya Balan’s Signature Kanjivaram Saree Look: A Guide to Owning the Classic South Indian Aesthetic

Being an actress is exciting, right? You get validation and admiration from everyone all the time right? Think again. Vidya Balan, one of the iconic actresses of our times was often criticized for her fashion choices. An industry that worships Western red carpet looks and bodycon dresses labelled her fashion choices as - dowdy, unfashionable, and too traditional.

But despite every harsh comment Vidya kept moving forward. As time revealed, Vidya Balan is now renowned for her saree look. She wears traditional Kanjivaram sarees in such a way that it looks trendy and modern.

In this blog, we will reveal that exact Vidya Balan's saree look - so you too can look like her when you wear a Kanjivaram saree.

What Makes Vidya Balan’s Saree Look Unique?

Everyone is chasing the new trend, but Vidya Balan prefers her Kanjivaram saree - whether it’s a film promotion, red carpets, or casual outings - you will see her flaunting a Kanjivaram saree. And this begs the question: How does Vidya manage to pull off the saree in any event without looking outdated? Here’s how:

1. The colour combination: Vidya experiments with striking colours. Like pairing a mustard yellow saree with a bright pink border as seen during her Shakuntala Devi promotions.

2. Jewellery: Vidya chooses jewellery that not only complements the saree but also matches the nature of the event she is attending.

3. Choosing the right blouse: She doesn’t stick with one blouse style, rather, she experiments with unique blouse cuts and designs.

Next, let’s talk about the blouse design secrets of Vidya Balan. 

What Blouse Designs Does Vidya Pair With Her Sarees?

Most women own just 2-3 simple blouses. Vidya Balan, on the other hand, experiments a lot with her saree styles. To give you an idea of how much she experiments, once Vidya said, "I have 25 sarees". That said, here are some blouses you will see Vidya Balan loves to flaunt:

1. Structured Silhouettes

Fitted corset blouses give the perfect shape under heavy Kanjivaram sarees and make your waist look smaller. But if you want to add volume around the hips and balance the overall look, you can go for a peplum blouse.

2. Contrast Colour Blouses

A contrasting colour combination would be, a mustard saree with a pink blouse (Vidya Balan wore this combination during her Shakuntala Devi promotions). But if you're looking to wear something soft, then pick a peach saree with a blue blouse (Vidya Balan wore this combination during her Tumhari Sulu film promotions)

3. Unconventional Necklines

A high-neck blouse. They have beautiful embroidery which gives you a classy look. Or, a deep U-back blouses which look amazing and also complement Kanjivaram saree designs.

Next, let’s see some jewellery combinations with sarees.

What Jewellery Works Best With Kanjivaram Sarees?

Vidya's go-to choice is temple jewellery for Kanjivaram saree. And when it comes to bangles, she prefers stacking kadas (in odd numbers like five and seven). For example, Vidya once paired a purple Kanjivaram saree with gold jhumkas (temple jewellery) and a kada. And for the wedding look, she usually picks jewellery which will outshine others. Like, polki or jadau sets. Sometimes, she adds unusual combinations too. One time, in JJ Valaya's outfit, Vidya wore a leather belt over her sarees.

Which Body Types Suit Kanjivaram Sarees?

Actually, this is a wrong question, we should rather say: How to make a Kanjivaram saree complement your body type. After all, it’s never about the saree, it’s all about how you present yourself. Anyways, here are some tips to style Kanjivaram saree as per your body type:

1. For Petite Women

Go with lighter Kanjivarams made from soft silk. Why? Because they drape gracefully and won't add unnecessary volume to your silhouette. And, for the same reason, avoid sarees with wide borders as they make you look visually shorter.

2. For Curvy Women

Good news: Vidya Balan has a curvy body shape, so you can follow her saree style for inspiration. But if you ask us, we will suggest you opt for darker colours sarees - those with vertical patterns as they give you a taller frame illusion.

3. For Younger Women

For women in their 20s or early 30s who don’t want to look too traditional in Kanjivaram sarees, try pastel Kanjivaram with minimal zari work. And for the blouse? Choose modern options like cold-shoulder or off-shoulder blouses.

Now you know how to style a Kanjivaram saree for your body type, let’s see the best sarees for different occasions.

How To Match Kanjivaram Sarees With Different Occasions?

Here’s a guide on how to pick and match Kanjivaram sarees for different events.

1. Weddings & Festivals

For weddings and festivals, a pink colour silk saree with heavy zari works because the gold/silver threads have a shine which gives a royal look. And for the jewellery? You can either choose a polki or a jadau.

2. Cocktail Parties

To make your Kanjivaram saree stand out at parties, start with contemporary prints (like Vidya Balan's JJ Valaya chevron saree). Second, be minimalistic in the jewellery department. Finally, finish with a sleek hairstyle which will keep your saree in focus.

3. Daytime Events

For daytime events, go for soft colours like peach pink or powder blue - they look classy without being too bright. Also, make sure you opt for a lightweight fabric like a semi silk saree or tissue Kanjivarams, instead of heavy silks (so you stay cool and comfortable throughout the event).

Conclusion

Vidya is an inspiration. She proves that no matter what others say to you, you should go with your heart, and do what your heart wants you to do. But her influence doesn't stop here - she also busted a big myth: By flaunting her Kanjivaram saree in film premieres, award shows, and traditional events, she busted the myth that the Kanjivaram saree is only for aunties and traditional events. Now, if Vidya Balan saree look has inspired you to buy a Kanjivaram, then you can check out our Kanjivaram silk saree collection. And, it doesn't matter if you're in your twenties, thirties, forties, or fifties, we have gorgeous sarees for every age bracket.