For every girl, her mother’s sarees are a repository of emotions and a connotation of the childhood memories she shared with her. Each saree has stories spun in itself about the different milestones achieved by her and carries the rich heritage of our motherland. By giving a new makeover to her old sarees, the bond shared between the mother and daughter becomes eternal and irreplaceable.

Here are a few ideas on how to give a new look to your mother’s old sarees.

Crop Top and Skirts

Sewing a lehenga or crop top & skirt from a saree is the ideal option if you want something traditional with a modern touch. What better way to put a couple of magnificent banarasi brocade sarees to use than this? Create a monochrome appearance by pairing a netted dupatta or a contrast brocade dupatta with a skirt and top made of the same fabric. To finish the look, pair them with heavy jhumkas and a fishtail braid. You can also stitch pattu pavadai for kids from old sarees.

Kurtas and Anarkali

One of the best ways to reuse your mother's old sarees is to stitch them into kurtas, gowns and anarkali. Choose the saree material depending on the event or occasion you want to wear them. If you need a few kurtas for summer, revamp her cotton sarees into sleeveless straight cut kurtas and pair them with palazzo pants. Choose a satin, chiffon, or tussar  weave for an anarkali or party gown which you can wear for evening parties. You can also sew a flowy gown with a lot of pleats enough to make you feel like a runway diva.

Contemporary Blouses

There are occasions when you'd like to wear your mother's Kanchipuram saree to a wedding since it looks elegant and traditional. Choose a contrast-coloured blouse if the saree is colourful and vibrant. For example, if you're wearing a green Kanchipuram saree, pair it with an orange or red blouse to spice the look. Long-sleeved blouses, boat neck, turtle neck, puff sleeves and cold shoulder blouses are some of the blouse designs making a comeback this year. Complete the look with fresh jasmine flowers, bindi and antique jewellery.

Dupattas

If you are somebody who prefers plain and simple suits paired with heavy or contrast dupattas, you can convert the sarees into dupatta. The pallu is the best part of the saree to transform into a dupatta. Choose fabrics like bandhani, banarasi, chanderi, crepe, pashmina and they are sure to add grace and elegance to your suit. These dupattas can be paired with multiple neutral shade kurtas and you can create a new look every time.

Different draping styles

You can always experiment with other draping styles if you are too attached to the saree and do not want to cut and stitch it into something different. For example, pair your saree with flared trousers, jeans, or straight-cut pants. Try draping styles that are fun and poised, such as wearing them as a shawl, peplum blouses, shirts, and so on. Wear these with a low messy hairstyle and statement jewellery.

By adding your personal touch and flavour, you can preserve the legacy of your mother’s heirloom treasures. While trends come and go, how you interpret them stays on with you forever, as your personal style.