The top saree brands in India carry forward the legacy of the six yards of fabric. The legacy of the saree is synonymous with the origin of Hinduism itself. It can be traced, as stated by historians, way back into the Indus Valley Civilization. The first mention of the attire can also be traced in the epic Mahabharata, and the attire transcends the boundary of being just a garment and is mostly associated with pride, culture, and modesty.
Interestingly enough, it has seen many evolutions hand-in-hand with the culture of India and its rich past. The word “sari” means strip of cloth and is a gender-fluid attire that embraces women and men both as a wrap-around. The most liberating aspect of wearing a saree is you can wear it any way you want, and it embraces people regardless of their culture and origin, contrary to any other traditional garment in the world.
Currently, the saree has a global influence, and you will see how tradition and modernity complement each other when it comes to this garment. The challenge, however, is to settle down with a saree brand of your choice owing to an influx of them almost at every lane in India. So in this article, we have listed the premium brands of the legendary attire for you to trace its origin and bask in its glory.
14 Top Saree Brands in India
When I say top, it’s mostly due to their popularity and reputation; it doesn’t necessarily imply that you have to tip-toe around the tag. The idea is to understand how far its legacy has come and how beautifully this 6 yard of clothing has evolved.
It is sometimes astonishing to even think that all the women that we admire in history or mythology wore the same attire as we do today, regardless of their standing in the societal layer.
Yes, we might have some mighty brands that help us look an absolute delight in this traditional attire. But the emotion of being draped in this simple piece of clothing is always going to bind us all in one single thread. So without much ado, let us see the top Saree brands in India.
1. Sabyasachi Sarees
“For culture to be relevant, it needs to be dynamic.” This is what the saree maestro’s website reads, and nothing stands more relevant in today’s time. Sabyasachi Mukherjee, the humble fashion graduate from Kolkata who ensured that he imprints the presence of the attire all over the world, immortalized his name too.
Currently, in India, it is somewhat of a norm now to associate Saree with Sabyasachi. Be it the brand’s vibrant collection or the precise handwork that goes into creating one of their sarees, Sabyasachi remains unparalleled when it comes to the world of sarees. I don’t think our grandmothers would have believed if someone told them that one day a global stage like that of the MET GALA will be adorned with the presence of a saree.
We had this regressive thinking collectively as a nation, even twenty years ago, to relate this piece of clothing with the less privileged or deem it as devoid of any modernity. There have been arguments about whether the uber-elite malls should have a more accepting approach towards this household attire, contrary to it being a part of our identity.
However, Sabyasachi came in and changed the entire picture. It is now a privilege to wear a saree, and most importantly, it could finally transcend the barrier of domesticity.
You can adorn a Sabyaschi Saree on any occasion, and it is a dream come true for a bride. Known for its versatility and graceful colors, investing in a Sabyasachi saree is more of an emotion than a purchase.
- Price: The price of a Sabyasachi Saree starts from Rs. 50,000.
- Type: You can have an amalgamation of colors with Sabyasachi, be it your Rooh Afza red that you must have noticed on Deepika Padukone or soft-toned colors as adored by Alia Bhatt on multiple occasions including her wedding. The Ivory Sabyasachi Saree worn by her is still a rage and I wish it continues to be so.
2. Manish Malhotra Sarees
The thing with Manish Malhotra is that he doesn’t follow trends, he decides them. There was a time, and it is still so, that MM was the holy grail of fashion. So, naturally when it comes to the saree, not mentioning Manish will be a sin. Even though the brand is known for dressing and adoring our gorgeous Indian celebrities, you might remember that Naomi Campbell wore a custom MM saree recently at an event.
I think what attracts people, mostly women, to this brand is how it breaks down all the barriers attached to the attire and simply lets women have their moment. You will find various fusions of the attire designed by the man himself to let you explore your feminine side regardless of your gender or identity.
With Sabyasachi, we talked about how impossible it was during the time of our grandmothers to even imagine saree having a global presence. But with Manish Malhotra, I have to say that our generation, including myself, none of us would have imagined that we would see the breathtaking Kim Kardashian herself adored in Manish Malhotra.
- Price: The price of these beauties starts from Rs. 50,000.
- Type: Known for dressing the entire Bollywood at one point in time and slowly growing towards global domination, MM is known for his signature red style but weaves elegance equally in sequence, embroidery, drapes, and many such tones. From bright colors to soft ones, there is a Manish Malhotra for every occasion.
3. Ritu Kumar Sarees
The pioneer of boutique culture in India, Ritu Kumar as a brand ensures you take pride in being able to wrap yourself in the mystic 6 yards. She started her small business in Kolkata, which has now gotten global fame and reputation. The idea of her sarees is not only to modernize its form but to add more natural elements of our culture in the most glamorous way possible.
The idea that a saree is only limited to modest attire but now has a global face and recognition is also due to her efforts. With a legacy of more than 50 years in fashion, her sarees talk about our glorious past in fusion with our present lifestyle. Apart from gorgeous sarees that tell stories, her fusion collection has overwhelming appeal in the younger generation.
- Price: The pricing for Ritu Kumar starts at Rs. 15,000.
- Type: Along with festive prints sarees, you will find silk, brocade, and velvet, along with chiffon, georgette, and many other such materials weaving their magic. Moreover, apart from lavish embellishments, and rich color-schemed sarees for weddings, you will also find well-curated minimalistic sarees by her too.
4. Nalli Sarees
We associate the concept of saree with fashion and attire, but you will be surprised to know that now a household name, Nalli Sarees has also been a face of resistance ever since its inception. During the scary and gloomy time of World War 2 when the mighty Madras court shifted its base, Nalli sarees chose to remain open regardless of the daily transactional value.
Before I begin to tell you more about this loved brand, you will be surprised to know that it operates on the “Every Day Value Price” approach, which doesn’t encourage discounts. In today’s market, where big brands are at loggerheads to attract customers and rain discounts to retain them for Nalli, all that matters is its quality.
Established by the great Nalli Kuppuswami Chetti, this brand is known to experiment with colors and fabrics that embrace modernity along with tradition. You can trust Nalli for a casual lunch or a magnum opus wedding, it will rarely fail you. But it has been immortalized due to its high-quality silk sarees especially catered for weddings.
From starting its journey in a small store in Madras, right now its presence can be traced to Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Kochi, Ahmedabad, Kolkata, and Hyderabad in India. Not only that, you can buy a Nalli Saree in the US, Singapore, & Canada too.
- Price: The minimum price of a Nalli Saree starts from Rs. 3,500.
- Type: If you think that Nalli never played to its customer’s wishes like the big brands, you will be mistaken. They did their celebrity endorsement even before it was a thing. They played with dyes and colors to design the perfect blue saree for M.S Subbalxami, one of the greatest in Carnatic music.
However, apart from these scrutinized creations, Nalli sarees have a legacy of Silk, Banarasi, and Cotton along with regional weaves like PaithanI, Ikats, Chanderi, Maheswari, Kota Silk and Cotton, Chikankari, Baluchari and Gadwal.
5. Satya Paul Sarees
The moment you hear the late designer Satya Paul’s name with Sarees you will be transferred into a world where flamboyance is the talk of the town. Satya Paul, as a brand, offers multiple benefits but nothing beats its carefully crafted sarees with a pop of color that will make any other attire look dull. I am not talking about the over-the-top color palettes, but well-researched colors that add class to your style.
Celebrities have been adoring the Satya Paul collection for over a decade, and his store, L’affaire, is a prime example of how the saree can be not only a symbol of womanhood but an enriched definition of class. He is known to play with colors, patterns, and fabrics in all his collections. You can see a lot of celebrities like Sonam Kapoor and Mandira Bedi rocking his collections.
What sets Satya Paul aside is the intricate display of patterns in his fabric. You will find interesting motifs and patterns at play in his design, which will make you feel like wearing a Satya Paul saree is a privilege and not a mere purchase.
- Price: You will have to spend a minimum of Rs. 7,500.
- Type: This saree maestro has a collection of sarees that you can choose from to add to your wardrobe and be part of the heritage. Satya Paul offers ikat sarees, silk sarees specially curated by the Telangana artisans, along with embroidered sarees, georgette sarees, Kanjeevaram silk sarees along many more such types.
6. Kanchipuram Varamahalakshmi Silks
We have been talking about a fusion of modernity and tradition for the last four names. What if we try to combine that with the legacy and heritage of pure luxury silk? Kanchipuram Varamahalakshmi Silks is a dedicated saree brand that takes the majesty of a silk saree and weaves it in class by hand.
The brand’s motto with its sarees is to glorify the feeling of being a woman to the point of being divine. It successfully restricts the narrative of a woman being powerless in a saree and the usual storytelling of how she is helpless in one. Instead, it caters to the belief that every woman has a divine touch to her existence.
Apart from centering its brand value on a message so powerful, it has handpicked sarees for all occasions. Owned by the Sai Silks Kalamandir Ltd, it has ten showrooms all over south India and even delivers to multiple locations nationwide.
With Kanchipuram Varamahalakshmi Silks, you will find bridal collections, festive collections, along daily wear sarees that will appease your eyes and your pocket.
- Price: If you wish to wear a Kanchipuram Varamahalakshmi Silk you need to pay a minimum of Rs. 3,000.
- Type: It will be unfair to not mention the fact that this brand will leave no stone unturned to ensure you get your dream look, regardless of the occasion. Its catalog has a varied range, which includes Banarasi Sarees, Gadwal Sarees, Paithani Sarees, Ikat Sarees, Chanderi Sarees, Patola Sarees, Coimbatore Sarees, Venkatagiri Sarees, Zari Kota Sarees and many such more in Kora, Soft Silk, Tussar, Georgette, Organza and Cotton fabric.
7. Tarun Tahiliani Sarees
Mainly basing his creations on the concept of cultural identity, Tarun Tahiliani is another vintage name in the world of sarees. The brand is single-handedly changing the notions surrounding the saree and empowering women with the feeling of belonging to their culture. When a brand like Tarun Tahiliani breaks its back, the peculiar desire to Westernize oneself for a modern outlook tends to fade away instantly.
You will be surprised to know that for Tarun Thiliani, the Koli fisherwomen of Bombay were a muse for his initial collections. Known as Karl Lagerfeld of India, Tarun Tahiliani, along with six other designers, formed the Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI). So, Needless to say, his brainchild will be the best of the best.
With the launch of his store, Ensemble, he made his mark in the Indian couture scene and went ahead to design some marvelous sarees for some of the best in town. You will also see some unique concepts, like Saree gowns, in his designs that combine ease, style, and comfort in one.
- Price: The Tarun Tahiliani experience will cost you a minimum of Rs. 50,000, but certain boutiques have specific discounts too.
- Type: The various types of designs and fabrics that you expect with Tarun Tahiliiani are sequins, beads, zari work saree, printed sarees with a plethora of patterns, Georgette and Chiffon Sarees, along with the classic silk sarees.
8. Fabindia Sarees
The fine prints of Fabindia sarees will make you think that the brand is a by-product of a native, but surprisingly not so. Founded by John Bissell in the year 1980 as a home furshining brand, the company later stepped in as makers and producers of finely woven sarees.
The interesting thing about this franchise is it bridges the gap between the urban and rural. The fine craftsmanship of rural artisans is channeled by this brand and exported to the rest of the country. With a promise of completely handmade products, its sarees ooze elegance with intricate designs that cater to your needs.
The blend of traditional handicrafts with the modern outlook to fit in with the present upbeat lifestyle, Fabindia has a mix of cotton, silk, and linen sarees.
- Price: The minimum price that you need to pay to own a Fabindia saree is Rs. 3,000.
- Type: The interesting thing about its product range is its multiple varieties of sarees, which include silk sarees with intricate designs for festivities, cotton, and linen daily wear sarees. Moreover, it offers a variety of designs and patterns through ikat, embroidery, Kanjivaram, and Banarasi in a burst of colors.
The Lesser Known Pioneers
Till now, we have discussed the elites of the saree world. The big brands and the names who have ensured the legacy of the saree are immortalized. We also have an array of big names that are yet to be a big brand, but they’re known to all. These names have been catering to the local and regional saree needs, with a growing presence nationally.
A woman in India might dream of buying a Sabyasachi everyday, but that doesn’t mean she doesn’t dress for the occasion. There are multiple semi-elite brands (when it comes to popularity) that have given their heart and soul to ensure a woman has the best relationship when it comes to her sarees. Let us quickly check a few of them and what they offer.
9. Raw Mango Sarees
Raw Mango was established in 2006 and this brand is a joint effort of artisans from Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, and Varanasi. Ithas kept the century-old skill of designing a saree alive. Founded by Sanjay Garg, it takes pride in our unparalleled handloom heritage and uses his humble upbringing as the source of his inspiration.
This upper-end Indian fashion brand is known for adding a certain eleganceto the approach of dressing up through its sophisticated color combinations, along with a fine range of fabrics.
- Price: You can buy designer sarees that are the epitome of fine craftsmanship with Raw Mango for only Rs. 5,000.
- Type: Raw Mango offers a variety kind of fabrics and sarees which include Banarasi Sarees, Cotton Sarees, Chanderi Sarees, Georgette and Crepe Sarees, Hand Dyed Sarees, and Handloom Sarees in premium fabrics and designs.
10. Meena Bazaar Sarees
A household name in the world of sarees, Meena Bazaar Sarees has been dressing women in India since time immemorial. Their journey started with one store in Delhi and right now you find them making their mark in the national landscape.
Since its inception in 1970 to today, the brand is synonymous with ethnic style wrapped in traditionalism and hints of modern design. Currently, it has more than a hundred stores all over India, along with a customer support system that is available for your assistance.
- Price: With the price range starting around as low as ₹1,500, a Meena Bazaar saree will surprise you in every way possible.
- Type: Once you enter the world of Meena Bazaar, you will feel like dressing yourself up in traditional regardless of the occasion. With a blend of colorful designs and premium quality products, you can find rich textured Silk Sarees, Georgette Sarees, Kanjivaram Sarees, Satin Sarees, Printed Sarees, and Banarasi Sarees with Meenabazar. But apart from these popular saree categories, it has a lot more to offer in various fabrics and designs.
11. Deepam Silks
This silk saree maestro from Bangalore has been the talk of the town for its premium quality. It caters to the attire as a lifestyle that is bundled with the feeling of joy and richness of design.
If you wish to buy a Kanjeevaram, the majority of the people in Bangalore will guide you to Deepam Silks. Established in the year 1972 in a small showroom, it has a royal past and has garnered the attention of the royalty of Mysore. It boasts of 2,000 highly skilled master weavers who ensure you pledge your loyalty forever.
- Price: You can be a part of this rich heritage with just a minimal price of Rs. 2,000.
- Type: Apart from its gorgeous Kanjeevarams, Deepam Silks has Banarasi Sarees, Georgette and Chiffon Saree, and Bridal Sarees. Not only that, it also has an impressive collection of party wear and designer sarees. Their fabric is also top-notch and ensures there is a breathability factor even in heavily adorned sarees.
12. Utsav Fashion Sarees
With its inception in Jaipur in 2000, Utsav Fashion Sarees has been the talk of the town. It would be a sin to not include Utsav Fashion Sarees in this list owing to the variety in its catalog and years of hard work in building a dedicated customer base.
The idea behind the brand is simple: a fusion of eye-catching styles backed by the heritage of tradition. Interestingly enough, you have the liberty to customize your attire as per your needs with Utsav. As in, you can decide your own design and style, and they will weave their magic to dress you in your personalized 6 yards.
- Price: You can rely on Utsav Fashion for some pocket-friendly options, and the minimum price which you have to pay for it is Rs. 1,000 only.
- Type: Some of the most loved Utsav Sarees are Banarasi Sarees, Kanjivaram Sarees, Georgette Sarees, and Cotton Sarees, along with designer and party wear sarees. But your choice of an Ustav Fashion saree isn’t limited here, and you can check for many other varieties.
13. Neeru’s Sarees
Established in the year 1971 by the Late Mr. Harish Kumar, it started with Salwar Kameez and dresswear for women and supplying the fabric to over 1000 retailers. Now, it has 2 EBO and 49 MBO stores in more than 25 Indian cities of India owing to its dedicated passion for dressing its women in the finest quality of six yards.
The concept behind a brand like Neeru is undoubtedly the fact that fast fashion can be affordable if we put the right creative minds to work. But this doesn’t imply the fact that there is a tad bit of compromise in quality. You will be surprised to know that it has its own dedicated NRI customer base hailing from UK, USA, Canada, Middle East, and other countries.
- Price: You can buy a Neeru’s saree with a mere Rs. 600 only.
- Type: The various types of Neeru’s sarees are Chiffon Sarees, Kanjivaram Sarees, Banarasi Sarees, Georgette Sarees, Net Sarees, Lehenga Sarees, Party Wear Sarees, and many such other options.
14. Pothys Sarees
V. Pothy Moopanar established Pothys in the year 1923 and the business is currently run by his grandchildren. In Tamil Nadu, a silk saree is synonymous with the name Pothys. Being credited with the first retail store in Tamil Nadu with ISO 9001 certification, the brand is known for its dedication towards crafting one brilliant saree after the other.
Not many people know this, but Pothys also has the legacy of launching its own brands in the silk saree industry, namely Samudrika, Parampara, and Vastrakala, which are a perfect mix of uniqueness in design backed by a luxurious appeal.
- Price: The price is not a factor to consider when it comes to Pothys, since you can get your hands on one even with a mere pocket pinch of Rs. 400 only.
- Type: Mainly known for its silk sarees, Pothys has also ventured into Cotton Sarees, Chiffon Sarees, Net Sarees, and Kanjeevaram Sarees among many other popular categories.
Conclusion
Gone are the days when we used to associate saree as a form of weakness or just a modest way to cover. We have a great legacy of bravery being portrayed by saree-clad women, which we have time and again forgotten. But with the onset of technology and a growing sense of pride for one’s own culture due to social media influence, the saree has seen a more welcoming approach globally.
The thing about this attire is even though it is a traditional one, it welcomes everyone with open arms. You won’t be accused of cultural appropriation if you wear a saree and go to a pub or any non-traditional setting. Maybe this is the reason the curiosity and the love for the 6 yards is never-ending.
Saree has been so deeply engraved in our identity that the moment you see a six-yard, you will imagine India and its rich heritage. The best part about it is people are now embracing it more tightly than before but without any shade of dominance or the need to be covered as the patriarchy demands.
We, as Indians, are more or less accustomed to seeing our mothers in sarees ever since we were born, so we tend to sometimes forget what an amazing legacy this attire has. People all over the world drool over the simplicity backed by the luxurious designs of this attire.
I hope our list will help you decide on your next purchase. Nonetheless, if you are just window shopping, you will now know the asset you are looking at!
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Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is trending now in saree?
A saree, regardless of its type, is a fashion statement. However, unique draping styles backed with lightweight fabrics and intricate designs are the talk of the town. Moreover, the obvious ones like the Handloom sarees, such as Banarasi, and Kanjeevaram, have never lost their touch yet.
2. What is the richest saree in the world?
The Vivah Pattu Saree, which cost a whopping Rs. 40 lakh, was recently flaunted by the mesmerizing Neeta Ambani herself.
3. Do slim girls look good in saree?
It is an age-old regressive concept to associate someone’s physical structure to prohibit them from wearing an attire. If a person wishes to look good in a saree, all they need is a matching blouse, trustworthy shapewear or petticoat, and a bit of confidence.
4. Which saree makes you look slim?
Any lightweight yet flowy fabric is a good choice if you wish to go for a petite look for the day. So, chiffon, crepe or georgette saree can be a good alternative in darkened hues. You can also opt for a stylized blouse with it, which will complement the flowy fabric and hold the attention.
5. Which color saree makes you look younger?
The answer to this question is a subjective one since it depends on your skin tone, but you can never go wrong with black or any other dark color like blue or purple.
6. Which saree does not need ironing?
Any synthetic saree or chiffon, and georgette saree is very less demanding and won’t require much effort on your part.
