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The British Gave Us The Saree Blouse And Life Got Complicated

Discussion in 'Clothing & Apparels' started by Rihana, Nov 23, 2024.

  1. Rihana

    Rihana Moderator Staff Member IL Hall of Fame

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    There are plenty of things Indians can blame the British for, like Kashmir, the English language, and of course, the heartache of partition, whose sorrow still reverberates generations after. But here’s a twist: one thing they actually got right was introducing the saree blouse. Before that, life was all hawa hawa, and the idea of a blouse was non-existent. It was British and Victorian prudishness that introduced the notion of covering up, and suddenly, the saree was considered incomplete without a top to cover those assets.

    So, the next time you're stuck deciding between a V-neck or a U-neck, sleeveless or full-sleeve, or wondering if your blouse is too tight or too loose (or like me, pricking a finger removing stitches at the last minute to loosen a blouse), remember to thank the British for creating this whole new world of blouse dilemmas. Queen Victoria, ma tujhe salaam, for giving us something to fuss over for centuries and making life miserable for tailors everywhere!
     
    Last edited: Nov 23, 2024
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  2. Rihana

    Rihana Moderator Staff Member IL Hall of Fame

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    blouse.png

    We saw something like this at an outdoor wedding last weekend, though not as revealing, and I almost had to cover DH's eyes with my hands as he couldn't believe what he thought he was seeing. We were about four rows behind the front row. It didn't help that he kept adjusting his glasses while looking at the stage and hence at the first row where the bride's friends sat.

    As I distracted him, I got the innocent question, "Isn't she cold?" I sighed and suggested we should get an early start on the buffet line.

    Picture is licensed for non-commercial use and only for demonstrative purpose. We didn't take any pictures at the wedding.
     
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  3. MalStrom

    MalStrom IL Hall of Fame

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    Nice that they could give employment to the henna artist but a lace piece would have saved all that trouble LOL.
     
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  4. kaluputti

    kaluputti Platinum IL'ite

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    But dont you want to see many more such as these in the future:biggrin::biggrin:?
     
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  5. kaluputti

    kaluputti Platinum IL'ite

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    Actually it must have created a profession of Tailoring and many thrive now with charging 1000 bucks for one blouse, not to speak of spending earlier for a decorated blouse piece.
     
    Last edited: Nov 23, 2024
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  6. MalStrom

    MalStrom IL Hall of Fame

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    :roflmao:
     
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  7. MalStrom

    MalStrom IL Hall of Fame

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    Some of my SIL’s blouses cost more than the saree. :yikes:
     
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  8. nayidulhan

    nayidulhan Silver IL'ite

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    I don't really understand why men are always fully dressed- in fact in layered clothing at any event and women for the same event (same room temperature and setting) tend to wear minimal clothing. Flaunting curves through tight fitting outfits, peekaboo kinda blouses and any apparel held together with a bare string is the apparent norm.

    (Ladies like me who generally cover ourselves fully almost seem to throw aunty-like vibes now! :buenrollo:)
     
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  9. gamma50g

    gamma50g Finest Post Winner

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    I have an eternal tiff with the blouse. It fits me only when it comes from the tailor for a few months. After that I have to either let out stitches or add stitches. It's terrible that a blouse isn't stretchy and the ones that are don't look so nice.


    Side note: @Rihana this is the first time I'm seeing this kind of an excuse for a blouse. Looks like women are going back to their roots because traditionally we never had a blouse and wore just the saree.

    An interesting fact I saw somewhere was that since there was no blouse and the Bengal cotton was very thin, women used to put boiling water or hot coal in a 'lota' and with that indigenous iron press, they would iron pleats into the saree so that the layers gave them more modesty.

    Fascinating!!
     

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