Anarkalis are everywhere! This fall they are hotter than ever. Just when you thought they were going obsolete huh? For a while the styles got shorter but now they’re back with even more fabric and more graceful and (more…)
I remember, last year, when I was on the hunt for anarkalis I was constantly wondering how long they would be in style for. It’s always a great feeling when you buy a new outfit. It’s such a good feeling to buy something new. It’s so exciting matching and accessorizing with your new clothes. What’s even better is when you finally get to wear your new clothes to the next wedding or party. However, nothing is more discouraging than only wearing something once. Many people will wear something once and forget about it or throw it out but that’s like throwing money away. It’s especially sad when something is so costly. Trends come and go but sometimes we still like something but can’t wear it anymore because it’s no longer in style. It’s always a chore to keep up with changing times but it’s nice to have a good collection of the classics to hold onto forever.
Why does everything always come with a price on it? Whether you want quality, craftsmanship, genuineness, or even tradition; they all come with a price! The last topic on ghararas got me thinking…they’re so expensive no wonder no one wears them anymore! Sure, all Indian clothes are expensive…especially in the West, however, some are outrageously over priced! Ghararas are hard to find too. If ghararas only come in fancy wear then its obvious why their price tags are such but even everyday clothes are an added expense. Polyester is cheaper than cotton but who wants even a second of it in these hot summer months? Additionally, everyone claims that the salwar kameez or anarkali they are wearing is silk but chances are its probably not!
Most outfits are made with synthetic fabric and machine instead of hand embroidered and they are still so expensive that you don’t think of looking for the authentic fabrics. That’s one of the problems with readymade outfits. Saris, on the other hand, are great quality and craftsmanship for the price you pay. You can get an authentic pure silk sari and sure you’ll pay the price but at least it’s worth it. What’s better than getting your money’s worth. That’s always a better choice than paying an arm and a leg for cheap synthetics. Unfortunately, we don’t always have a choice.
Due to very POPULAR demand Arzoo Magazine has now OFFICIALLY launched the ARZOO STORE!!
If you see anything on our website that you like and would like to own a piece just email us at info@arzoomag.com
In addition we will be posting additional galleries of clothes such as saris, salwars, churidars, lenghas, and MORE! If you are interested in purchasing something that we add hurry and order soon because stock is limited and due to high demand runs out quickly!
We hope you enjoy our fashionable collections and THANK YOU for shopping at ArzooMag.com
EVERYTHING on this page is ALSO for SALE. Email us if you’re interested!! HAPPY SHOPPING!!
Here’s a unique and new color combination that’s hot this season. Green and white. I’ve seen it in a bridal lengha and it looks very contemporary and flattering.
It’s been one busy summer with all the weddings. Some so lavish and some not so great. Overall, orange has been very hot amongst the guests. Anarkalis retained their popularity. Saris flooded the room and lenghas shined in bright, hot colors. Ghararas have slowly been making a popular comeback as well. One thing is certain. There have been a lot of blue brides! No, they’re not blue themselves but there is definitely a blue trend. It has made me wonder if brides are wearing blue because they really do love it or just to be trend followers? The modern bride is a rebel. She does not follow traditions!
Red remains the bridal color and always will but does it retain its popularity? That depends. Many brides will wear red on their wedding day while making exceptions for other wedding rituals and events. Some will portray only glimpses of red. Many other colors are starting to take over and lead the way.
I’ll admit that red did get a bit boring. Especially brides who thought that if they wore red there was no need to make any effort. Especially, some of the plain, non-bridal lenghas that became the rage. Probably the worst part of the red rage is that even those brides who don’t traditionally wear red began to do so. Contrary to the popular belief, not all Indian brides wear red. Gujarati brides wear the red and white panetar. Which is loosing its place. Gujarati as well as many other brides are dressing less traditionally and wearing red or blue or gold. Instead of saris they are wearing lenghas. Though lenghas are regal saris are not any less elegant.
June and July were the busiest for weddings. However, summer has not yet ended and wedding seasons continues through Fall. I hope I don’t see anymore blue. In addition, those who wear black to weddings should be banned! Brides should learn to look like one and guests should take Fashion 101. Many traditions are slowly disappearing and will sadly become extinct as new ones take over.
This question I struggle to answer constantly. I love anarkalis. They’re nothing new of course. An ancient invention that has suddenly hit the runways with great splendor. However, they’re so overpriced! For $200 you get a quite simple anarkali. The anarkali carries with it elegance and grace but what you get for such a huge price tag doesn’t come close enough to the type of lavish outfit you need for a wedding. On the other hand, if you were to buy a sari with the same amount of money you could easily get a very fancy sari quite appropriate to wear to a wedding! A wedding appropriate anarkali would run you atleast $400! Perhaps they are overpriced because they are so popular and they know that we will buy them anyway. Or maybe, because of the amount of fabric used? No, I thought that was it but it isn’t. The sari contains a lot more fabric! However, the anarkali actually has to be sewn together whereas the sari requires very minimal sewing…except maybe the blouse. It upsets me that they are so expensive but then again I still buy them.
I do love to go shopping but only for Indian clothes. The Western counterparts are rather dull and boring. It’s all about labels, whereas in sari land it doesn’t matter as long as it looks great…for the most part at least. Something I just realized, though there are endless styles and colors it really all comes down to the basics. This never happened before but today I somehow didn’t know what I wanted or what to get. There’s just not enough colors to choose from! All other shades are variations of the major colors. What do you do when you run out of blue, green, orange, yellow, red, white, black, pink, purple, and their similar counterparts?
Another sad part of the shopping experience was that there was so much black! Black anarkalis were pouring off the racks and various lengths and shapes. All this made my day one of the major shopping spree a bit depressing. I hope what the weekend ahead brings is much more colorful and exciting!
I went shopping today. It’s been a while. It was my usual search for anarkalis and saris. Saris I find quite easily because I know where to look and frankly because they are a one-size-fit-all. Anarkalis, on the other hand, are quite the opposite. First you have to find your size. Then it may or may not fit! If you’re short, you’re very less likely to find an anarkali because they are way too long for you. I encounter the same problem. To make it all worse I saw some of the most hideous and ugliest anarkalis on the planet! They were anarkali kurtas, which are supposed to come with churidars, but instead came with pants! Are you kidding me?? Since when did pants come back. They are long gone and I hope they never return. When they were popular I once attended a wedding where the bride wore pants! That was just depressing. Anarkalis are being reinvented. You still see some of the traditional styles but more of the uglier, newer ones. So not trendy!
Can’t wait for the Arzoo shopping spree next week. We’re going to visit every little nook and crevice of Little India to find the best trends, bargains, deals, and favorable finds. Here’s a little glimpse of what we plan to bring you…
First we would like to check on the status of the anarkali. It seems to still be in but is all that fabric reasonable for summer! Sure, it is if you find the right type. Breezy cotton casuals and sheer chiffons are the best picks. Be sure to look for those on your shopping trip as well.
Of course, we can’t forget how much we love saris! That’s because nothing screams India more than saris. That brings us to a questions we’ve been addressed…why are we shopping in Little India and not India? Well, the answer is quite simple. Arzoo Mag is published right here in the United States. Not everyone can afford the time and money to take a trip to India. We always resort to Little India when in need for a bit of culture. This, however, can be limiting. If you’re city’s Little India is big and abundant then you’re lucky, if it’s small you become even more limited, and if you don’t have one…well then don’t worry there is always the world wide web.
Because Little India can be limiting and small we plan to bring the best of it for you. Where to search, and how to find good deals will be included. It doesn’t matter what city you’re in. The basic guidelines will always remain the same. For example, let’s end with a little tip for those of you going shopping soon…stay away from boutiques…it will save you a lot of money and their variety is very limited. Head straight to the big shops FIRST. They have a lot more variety and choice and lower prices. If you don’t find anything there then the boutiques will come to your rescue. There are two types of boutiques…the really high end expensive ones and the more laid back cheaper ones. I’ve often visited the huge sari stores over pouring with saris, shalwars, and chaniya cholis but to my dismay found nothing I like or in my size. Sometimes the boutique really does come to the rescue. So let it come to your rescue by saving it for last!
Wedding season is almost a month away but the invitations have already started pouring in. I’ve already set dates for two weddings in May, (more…)
I love to look at Indian clothes online. My favorites are saris, of course! as well as anarkalis and sometimes even lenghas. Though the latter are not very practical for me since I don’t don them often. There are some really beautiful saris available online. The prices can be more or less than you would pay in person and really vary according to site and popularity. However, anarkalis are the hardest. Now if you were looking for a simple salwar kameez or churidar kurta you would require very little effort as there are millions of types and combinations available which can easily be purchased online for a minimal price tag. Anarkalis on the other hand are terribly hard to find. Some are just hideous. Most over priced. If you happen to see or come across any nice anarkalis please let us know!
Most people are under the impression that anarkalis are formal and not intended for everyday wear. Though they can be, due to their elegance, anarkalis are definitely suited for every day of the year. There are a wide range of anarkalis to choose from, whether formal or casual. As far as anarkalis go, I think you best bet will be to purchase them in person. They are almost always difficult to locate online (at least the good ones). You will get even more variety in person. The down side is they tend to run quite a bit long. They are intended this way but it makes it very difficult for short people. If it comes mid-calf on the model, or an average heigh woman, it will probably come down to the ankles on a short person and that’s not how it’s meant to be. My best advice, if you’re short like me, is to buy a shorter anarkali. These are made in the typical style but come only to the knees on most people and will fit perfectly to the mid-calf on anyone who is petite. Therefore, anarkalis are best bought in person where you can try them on, experiment with them, and hopefully get a wide range of choices to pick from!
Saris on the other hand, go either way. Sometimes they’re cheaper online, sometimes in person. Personally, I like to hand pick my saris. I like to feel the texture and try them on. It’s more practical that way because one can’t go by how it will look on the model. Everything looks good on them. If it doesn’t look good on you, accept it and move on to something that does. I hate to see people wearing unsuitable clothes. It just gives off a bad vibe and a terrible impression. If you can, buy your saris in person. Don’t limit yourself. Some really lavish yet inexpensive saris are available online as well. Especially, if you live in an area where there is not any or very limited choice then utilize the help of the internet to get you through all those events.
Lenghas…I strongly suggest purchasing in person. Especially, if it’s for a special occasion. Once again, you can go either way and the choice is totally yours. There are set backs to buying online. If the investment is a pricey one then you’re safer off trying it on first. Some shops have really gorgeous chaniya cholis so if you can get to them then you really should.
Online or Offline? What do you prefer?
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