I mentioned in previous posts that Jnanadanandini was influenced by the blouse and sari style of Parsi women in Bombay. Here are a few examples.  Most have “ribbon border” sari with motifs on the ribbon is quite common in Parsi dressing styles of the late 19th century and the early 20th century.  There was a Chinese influence in clothing at this time e.g. in gara saris). The blouse is high and modest in keeping with the period.

Source: The Parsis, 1902.  Also another example. This one is from 1890. The blouse has a Victorian influence. The cap is often seen in Parsi girls of the time (it was commonly worn at one point). A 1923 picture, the sari drape seems opposite to that usually worn but the blouse are as always full and richly embroidered. Other examples include Raja Ravi Varma’s The Parsee Lady (probably late 19th century) and Pestonji E. Bomanji’s 1914 painting of a Parsi woman have the women wearing a similar kind of sari/blouse/pearls combo.