Category Archives: Vintage Blouse

The Royals Post

Posted on 25/09/2012 by Anu M

  For more than half of the 20th century, Europe was a playground for Indian royalty.  And its women were photographed by Cecil Beaton and Man Ray, snubbed Wallis Simpson, made it to the NYT’s society pages and of course set fashion trends. Of all the royals, … Continue reading →

Posted in 19th century, India, Royalty, Sari Blouse, Vintage Blouse, Vintage Dress | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Fancy Blouse Post

Posted on 24/09/2012 by Anu M

I love really intricate blouses for which the sari is the accessory like the one here with its elaborate cutwork. With much thanks to memsaab for letting me borrow this.

Posted in 1950s, Actor, Old Bollywood, Sari, Sari Blouse, Vintage Blouse | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Brahmika Sari and Dress Reform

Posted on 21/09/2012 by Anu M

Extract from Marriage and Modernity, Family Values in Colonial Bengal (Rochona Majumdar) indicating that the anchal was eventually draped on the left for the Brahmika saree.  

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Sari Styles

Posted on 17/09/2012 by Anu M

The Parsi Style (First Pic) The Brahmika Sari (2nd pic, Suniti Devi of Cooch Behar with an additional stole/veil over the sari pinned with a brooch) and 3rd picture Rokeya Begum in a simpler version) The Nivi/Madrasi style (Last Pic)

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The Brahmika Sari

Posted on 16/09/2012 by Anu M

Jnanadanandini Debi was deeply influenced by the newly-introduced Parsi gara, the kind worn by Lady Bachoobai Nowroji Vakil. By the latter part of the 19th century, Parsi garas or garos—saris with Chinese embroidery in white or variegated silk threads—were introduced … Continue reading →

Posted in 1890s, 1900s, 1910s, Vintage, Vintage Blouse, Vintage Dress | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Bicycle-2

Posted on 16/09/2012 by Anu M

A Bombay Scorcher. Is that the bicycle or the bicycle?! This was of course a saucy postcard as opposed to being taken on the streets of Bombay while this barefoot lass was going about her day’s business. Her smile is … Continue reading →

Posted in Early 20th Century, Sari, Sari Blouse, Vintage, Vintage Blouse, Women | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments

The 1930s Actress Post

Posted on 04/09/2012 by Anu M

Miss Kajjan. On chair as helpfully indicated. Also elegant shoes!

Posted in 1930s, Actor, Old Bollywood, Sari, Sari Blouse, Vintage, Vintage Blouse | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Just the Blouse

Posted on 20/08/2012 by Anu M

  Now and then a post where it is just the blouse without the upper drape.  

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The Mythology Post

Posted on 16/08/2012 by Anu M

Though I have posted a lot on blouse “borrowings” from the West, one thing that differentiates the Indian version is that the midriff is normally exposed.  There is a long history to the choli/kanchuki and modern representations of historical attire often … Continue reading →

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The 1940s Post

Posted on 11/08/2012 by Anu M

Kanan Devi and KL Saigal in Parichay. Collared blouses, scalloped necks and boxy silhouettes were common in sari blouses in the 1940s.  

Posted in 1940s, Indian Cinema, Sari Blouse, Singer, Vintage Blouse | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment