Gloves are continuing to reign in 2023, thanks to their popularity in the recently the departed year of 2022. As seen in the west and now on the red carpets laid down in India, celebrities are acing this accessory of the year in every shape and form. And while I have been enjoying combinations formed by gloves with gowns and whimsical silhouettes, my favourite pair has to be the one with a saree. Gloves when teamed with India’s beloved saree are becoming the new cool.
Earlier tried and tested by Kangana Ranaut at the Cannes Film Festival in 2019, the actress brought the idea of opera gloves, coupled with a gold saree. Envisioned by designer duo–Falguni Shane Peacock, the idea of a Kanjeevaram saree accessorised with gloves was a unique, new concept for Indian celebrities. The idea was somewhere was also pushed by actress Madhuri Dixit, who posed for a magazine photoshoot in a black saree, accessorised with pearls and tiny opera gloves. The trend from the 90s was still a less explored format for actresses from India.
And fast forward to 2022 and 2023, celebrities are slowly and steadily enjoying this amalgamation between Indian and western styles.
Making occasion dressing, a more fashionable affair, stars like Manushi Chillar, Neha Dhupia and now Shibani Dandekar are already in love with this style mashup. In pictures, we spotted actress Manushi Chillar, paying homage to India and seasoning her culturally-relevant saree design with a contemporary touch with opera gloves. The actress arrived for a special event hosted by Vogue India, in a retro-inspired look. On the actress, we spotted a semi-sheer saree in the shade black, by designer–Arpita Mehta. The neatly draped saree, teamed with a v-neck blouse in the same shade, was layered using a Sabyasachi belt in the centre, delicate vintage accessories and of course gloves. As described by celebrity stylist–Sheefa J Gilani, who curated the look, the ensemble was a version of desi Bridgeton.
Next up, on our list of favourite looks including gloves and sarees was sported by actress Neha Dhupia. Styled by Aastha Sharma, Dhupia experimented with Huemn’s innovative, dual-pallu saree silhouette. The pre-draped saree pant from the label’s Diversity collection features the brand’s signature diversity screen print. What added more sartorial drama to the look, was the addition of a traffic-stopping yellow crop top, with an extended glove attachment.
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We spotted a similar look on actress Swara Bhasker, who experimented with the same brand’s Hybrid saree pants in the shade lilac. The comfortable silhouette design on Swara came sans the signature Huemn print design and was styled using pearl earrings.
With celebrities giving their saree collection a more versatile form, colours ranging from the classic black to rich red, are most favourable shades in the race. Besides Swara and Neha, celebrities like– Esha Gupta and Shibani Dandekar have also proved their love for the gloves and saree match in fancy photoshoots. Giving sarees, a sassy twist, the two styled their looks with extended glove blouses and interesting jewellery. While Gupta decided to rest her pallu on her head, like a veil, Shibani romanticised the idea of a pant saree with long-trailing pallu and a pair of peppy orange heels by Balenciaga.
These latest experiments by celebrities with a saree and gloves are an interesting way to welcome the ‘it accessory’ to traditional dressing. Giving the saree a new shape, and delightful form are labels like Huemn, who are endorsing the India-adored silhouette for larger masses to try. So, the next time you think of opera gloves, know your collection of sarees can be the perfect companion for them.
Image Credits: Instagram