Among the many things we Bengalis love, our ardent affection and fascination with traditional wear surely trumps all else. And why not? Is there any attire demurer yet stunning, traditional yet current, than a saree?

In its six yards, sarees are steeped with heritage, values, sentiments, and emotions too deep for words to describe. Some of our earliest memories are of watching our mothers, draping her person in a beautiful saree, carefully making the pleats, folding them ever so delicately, and then tucking them in the petticoat deftly.

Photo: Adnan Rahman

And then, she would drape the anchal over her shoulder with a flourish, and voila! She was a goddess of beauty and grace, in six yards of pure perfection!

We all grew up envious of our mothers' saree collection, painstakingly amassed for years. From soft, buttery chiffons, delicate Chantilly laces, and glamorous georgettes to traditional handloom Jamdanis, and Dhakai tant — their collections have it all and so much more.

And when you asked, exasperated with the length and breadth of her collection, if one will ever wear so many sarees in one lifetime, she'd indulgently smile and say "They all are yours to take my love!"

Isn't it such a beautiful sentiment, collecting pretty things to pass them on to the next generation, with love and affection second to none? From mother to daughter, our love for sarees is definitely timeless and eternal, just like this very special bond.

And men also share very similar sentiments when it comes to panjabis!

Our brothers, in their awkward gangly teenage years, borrowed panjabi from our dads' closets when their sudden and unexpected growth spurt rendered their own clothes smaller and useless! Then our fathers would lovingly remark to our mothers that surely that panjabi looked much better on his son than it ever did on him.

Such is the nature of traditional attires; they are not mere articles of clothing but bear a much deeper connection to our culture, our heritage, and our roots.

Photo: Adnan Rahman

Sarees nowadays are so much more than just attire. No longer is a saree an outfit relegated to the oldies, but desired and treasured by the young and old alike.

Styling sarees is a never-ending conversation. Opinions vary, new trends emerge, and there is endless debate about whether we should stick to tradition, or move forward with changing times. We, at Star Lifestyle, believe change is the only constant, and one must look ahead, while also respecting tradition.

Let's begin with the building blocks, shall we? A beautiful saree is nothing without a fantastic blouse to go with it. And blouses these days are nothing like the boring staid ones of yesteryear! They are having a major moment, and we are here for it!

For traditionalists, long-sleeved or mid-length blouses are perfect, but playing with embellishments on the sleeves or back is a great idea to elevate the look. High-neck blouses can be spiced up with zardosi or cutdana work around the neck, with work also sprinkled at the back.

For the adventurous ones, sleeveless blouses are a perennial favourite.

This year, patchwork on one shoulder is very hot; especially floral motifs. Off-shoulder blouses look chic, as well as halter-neck ones. Play around with embellishments and different cuts according to your preference.

Photo: Adnan Rahman

We have entered an era when versatility is the new mantra. Experimentation is the name of the game — if you see a new drape you like, give it a shot, because why not? Also, unique styles such as pleated sarees with exaggerated edges, ruffled sarees and pre-stitched ones with sculptural features, look equally stylish as a Jamdani and Katan. Listen to your heart and follow it!

Menswear, as we know it, does not change as drastically as womenswear, but panjabis have received somewhat of a facelift in recent years.

Bias-cut panjabis look stylish for the dapper man who is not afraid of stepping out of his comfort zone. Angrakha-style necklines with buttons on the side are the latest trend that has taken the fashion world by storm. Perfect for men with wide-chest as well as narrow, this is a great new style to try. Panjabi with coatee is loved and adored by all. Try a coatee in a contrasting colour for Eid; brown with beige or blue with black will look great.

Classic styles are a perennial favourite, and one cannot go wrong with it. Panjabis with subtle embroidery in muted shades are always in vogue, and worn with Aligari or loose shalwar, will always be fashionable.

A black panjabi with gold or silver work around the neck, with a chador effortlessly draped around the body, will look stylish and elegant, no matter the occasion.

So, go ahead! Embrace your own self, celebrate your Bangaliana, and choose deshi.