Memories of my mom's katan

"My mother looked so beautiful in her wedding katan! Even though the pictures were all in black and white, I can imagine her blooming like a flower. Eventually she gave the sari to me as a birthday present. I know I will drape my mom's affection each time I drape this beautiful sari."

Taslima, 27

"This is a 35 year old katan, which my father gifted my mother on their first anniversary. I never had the nerve to ask her for this beautiful piece of sari. On my mehndi night, she personally gifted me this regal piece. I was almost over the moon. There couldn't be any better gift – like ever!"

Nowshin, 34

With numerous stories like our collective treasures, we know that a legacy is left behind by each of our mothers, when she hands us down her striking drapery.

It is for us to give the heirloom its proper respect and pass it on to our future generations, with all the love it deserves.

Katan saris are in a league of their own. Like wine, the sophistication only improves with time! Imagine a blood-red katan, or maybe a plum, peach or an olive one, with thick gold borders and large paisley as motifs. Isn't it something you have seen your mom wear a thousand times?

Didn't you always wonder how she carried herself with so much elan, looking immaculate and stately, and that too with just a dab of lipstick and a tiny bindi?

It's as if the katan itself extended an inconceivable aura that lit the beautiful face of your beloved.

And…can anyone blame you for wanting to include the very same sari in your list of collectibles?

We don't think so either!

It is the story of every girl who has seen their mother and aunts wear gorgeous saris while growing up.

We always wanted and craved for a part in their fashion statement!

But does it ever matter that you may be labelled as outdated or viciously called a 'khalamma' if you duplicated the same look? Worse still, that you may not look as good as your mom, in that very piece of brilliant red?

We know for sure that it worries you. A teeny-weeny bit perhaps, at least!

Here are few ways to shut up the naysayer inside your head and walk with confidence.

Thank us later!

The first trick is to play with the blouse. A sleeveless always looks good, but isn't that what mom used to wear? So we are back to square one.

Let's try out halter necks, spaghetti straps or a tube style.

If you have tried all the different types of blouses that you could have possibly imagined, then you are definitely on track!

But for someone who has stalked you on Instagram for the millionth time, you are just bleh and you have nothing else to wear, except this one piece and that too donated by your mom...

So how do we change the perception? Maybe it's time we got a little haircut. True – a mini bun, braids and top knots look ever so stylish when paired with the katan but so does the blunt cut! Imagine Emma Stone from La La Land dancing to the tunes of A City of Stars. Yes! She would have looked equally beautiful in your mom's sari.

Puns aside, there are more ways to experiment, and the petticoat could be another platform. Why not skip the entire garb and make do with jeggings instead? You are wondering about the compatibility?

Let's break this down a bit.

The pleats in the midriff are well placed inside the jeggings for a change. But wouldn't that mean, the katan sari, which is 'not sheer', covers up the entire jeggings part and we don't get to showcase the twist?

Hence, the draping is slightly different from the traditional nivi style. The right leg is exposed and the pleats are effortlessly placed in such a way that the entire look becomes aesthetic, yet modern.

It is always encouraged to keep the sari in its truest form – six yards and shining. But some of us may find it inconceivable to drape it every time we go for a party!

We particularly know a lot of young girls who regard the entire process of sari draping as a harrowing task.

So does it mean they do not get to store the heirloom piece?

The easiest way-out would be to turn it into a gorgeous lahenga or a three-piece suit. In the case of the former, one can go glam with plain or pleated skirts, channelling the 90's in tulle numbers!

The blouses can be matched in katan or plain silk in subtle black, effortless metallic or a gorgeous white. Ruffled skirts with embellished hems would more than make up for the perfect Insta pictures, all these, while twirling through best friend's mehndi night.

Excited enough? Like we said; mom's bright red katan would definitely amp up the look!

If you are still confused, maybe the lahenga is not for you! Why not try out the shalwar suit, instead?

With the katan, there is no reason to go overboard – the material itself is splendidly gorgeous! Additionally, we know that in 2018, it's more about a contemporary wardrobe. Rising above all the drama of heavy embroidery, zardozi and flashy embellishments; stick to simplicity and sophistication with an asymmetrical kameez or an illustrious Anarakali, with only a small zone of embroidery to gracefully highlight the beautiful silhouette and comfort fashion.

Add in a pair of diamond studs, and a statement bracelet and you are almost ready to go head to head with the scintillating crowd at a grand event!

So, here you go. These ideas should be more than enough for you to delve right-in and experiment. But remember to begin the try out on a simple katan that is not an heirloom piece. Once you are satisfied with the end-result, with lots of appreciation from friends and family, you may work on the one and only from your favourite lady in the world.

As far as I am concerned, I would never make anything out of my mom's saris, however beautiful the possible results! Because each piece would carry my mom's memories, smell and aura! I would just randomly bring them out every now and then, aerate and hug them tight…

Well, stop judging for once!

Fashion police can have her quirks. We are all human after all!

Photo: Sazzad Ibne Sayed

Model: Tania

Wardrobe: Warez

Make-up: Farzana Shakil's Makeover Salon

Styling: Sonia Yeasmin Isha

Location: Pan Pacific Sonargaon, Dhaka