Patola Sarees

Explore The Bright Beauty of Patola Sarees at Mirraw

Being in India, it is impossible that you have not worn sarees from a culture different than yours. Sarees in silk such as Mysore, Chanderi, Banarasi and other beautiful ones have been famous amongst fashionistas. But if you feel you have worn them enough and want something not seen everyday, then Patola sarees are for you. Originally from Patan, Gujarat, this type of saree is adorned with double ikat weave, making it an interesting geometrical pattern. The typical colors of bright red, yellow, pink, indigo, and dark green make them perfect for any traditional function. At Mirraw, we are here to guide you about this intriguing type of saree. Let us try to know various aspects of Patola sarees so that you can choose the right one.

Basics of Patola Sarees

Woven in a double ‘Ikat’ weave, the yarn threads are pre-dyed for the desired pattern. This gives the Patola sarees the intricacy that it is famous for. The double ikat weave contains symbols such as elephant, flower, girl, parrot, tiger, and jug are considered auspicious for married women. The design also involves a series of betel nut leaves all across the saree called 'Paan Bhat'. The square shapes also hold importance as they are thought to bring feelings of security to the married women due to its definitive shape. Due to many such elements, Patola sarees are believed to have the power of blessings, ward off evil and protect the wearer from misfortune. Because of such beliefs, a Patola saree is gifted to a bride or a pregnant woman.

The Patola sarees are weaved using the ‘Bandhani Process’ or wrap and weft style of weaving. This lengthwise yarns are called warp and the crosswise yarns are called weft or filling. The yarn goes for tying and dyeing multiple times, based on the set of colors for the decided design. This means the weaving procedure demands considerably more focus and exactness. Indeed, even a little misstep can ruin the whole design. Because of the unique weaving method, Patola sarees appear to be identical on both sides. This makes sure you can wear the Patola saree without worrying about the ‘reverse side’ of the saree as the weave looks bright on either side. Some of the examples of famous designs are Navratna, Manekchowk, Chabdi, Hathisavari, Narikunj, Nav Leher, Mor Jaad, and Panchanda.

Two major distinctions of patola saree types are Rajkot Patola and Patan Patola, both originate from Gujarat, India. The important difference between the two is the location in which they are produced. Rajkot Patola is made in Rajkot, a city in the Gujarat state of India. Patan Patola is made in Patan, another city located in the same state. Both are known for their detailed designs and high-end craftsmanship. Rajkot patolas are single ikat weaves that are resist-dyed vertically. The Patan patolas are double ikat weaves that are resist-dyed horizontally.

Types of Patola Sarees

Patola sarees come in a wide variety and each of these varieties has their own unique features that make them stand out from one another. Here are some of the varieties of Patola Sarees:

1. Rajkot Patola: These sarees are single ikat which means that only the warp or the weft thread is dyed before weaving. Rajkot Patola sarees are relatively made in a simpler way than the double ikat one yet their vibrant colors and beautiful designs make them look stunning.
2. Patan Patola: Patan was the place that gave birth to these exquisite sarees and that is why this is the most authentic version of patola sarees. These sarees are woven using the double ikat technique and are crafted with a precision that gives all the beautiful details to this saree. Patan patola sarees have patterns and mirror work on both of its sides. and have patterns that symbolize many aspects of Indian culture.
3. Vohra Gaji Patola: These sarees have a darker shade palette and are characterized by their simplistic beauty. Vohra Gaji Patola mostly has geometric and floral designs and are made for the Vohra Muslim Community of Gujarat.
4. Navratna Patola: As the name suggests, these sarees are women's favorite go-to during the sacred festival of Navratri. Navratna patola features colorful patterns, motifs and dancing figures which are mostly in red and green color, that goes with the vibe of Navratri.
5. Bhat Patola: This style is defined by its checked patterns, where each square contains repetitive motifs. Bhat Patola sarees are visually striking and are often worn at traditional events.

How to Style a Patola Saree

Patola sarees are loved so much due to their ability of blendig traditional elements with modern styles which makes it perfect for many festivals and occasions. Here are a few tips on how you can style your patola saree:

Blouse Pairing

• Traditional Look: To reach a traditional look, you can pair your saree with a silk blouse of matching color and to add more definition to your saree, you can wear a blouse with detailed embroidery.
• Modern Look: To attain a modern look, go for a blouse of velvet fabric with a contrasting color. An off-shoulder or sleeveless blouse can add a contemporary edge without taking away from the traditional beauty of your saree.

Jewellery

For weddings or festive occasions, you can’t go wrong with heavy gold jewelry or Kundan sets to complement the vibrant hues of the saree. Some oxidized jewelry can be used to enhance the ethnic feeling in case you don't want a heavy overdone look.

Footwear

Patola sarees go perfectly with embellished traditional juttis that complete your overall look from head to toe. You can opt for fancy heels as well if you feel comfortable wearing them.

Draping Styles

You can go with different draping styles that suit you well but the traditional Nivi draping style is best for patola sarees as they let all the designs and patterns be displayed fully. You can also consider draping your patola saree in Gujarati style where the pallu is brought forward over the right shoulder.

Makeup and Hair

You got to be as simplistic as possible with your makeup but also don't forget to keep it striking. Go for a bold lip color to match the vibrance of your saree and keep the rest of your look very minimal. For hair, you can go with a neat bun adorned with fresh flowers that adds more of a traditional grace to your whole look. To attain the modern look, you can tie your hair up in a sleek ponytail.

How to Identify a Genuine Patola Saree

The patola sarees have gained quite a popularity, in that case, it is not impossible to come across some fake or imitated versions of these sarees. Here are a few ways that can help you differentiate between fake and real patola sarees:

1. Price Point: The authentic Patola sarees, especially double ikat ones are highly labor-intensive plus time-consuming to produce. Hence, these sarees are quite expensive. So if you come across a patola saree claiming to be authentic and cheap, you can be quite sure that it's fake.
2. Design and Pattern: A genuine patola saree has the same designs and colors on both of its sides because of the double ikat weaving technique. So you know its a fake patola saree when it has one side more vibrant and detailed than the other.
3. Fabric Quality: One of the many reasons why patola sarees are known and loved is because of their high-quality silk. The fabric of the original saree is soft but heavy because of the densely packed threads b ut if its an imitation, it would be ligh tweight and will lack the sheen of silk.
4. Certification: When you buy a patola saree whether from a store or an online site, you need to make sure that it has a certificate of authenticity.

How to Keep Your Patola Saree as Good as New

Getting a patola saree is a great investment for your wardrobe. While owning it, you have to make sure that you take good care of your saree. Here are some tips that can help you keep your patola saree as good as new:

1. Patola sarees should always be dry-cleaned. Avoid washing your patola saree at home using water and detergent as it can cause the colors to bleed and the fabric to lose its shine.
2. Get a soft cotton or muslin cloth and wrap your saree in it to protect the saree from dust and moisture. Plastic bags can be bad for safeguarding your patola saree as they can trap moisture, avoid using them.
3. Exposing your saree to direct sunlight is a mistake that people make very often not knowing that it can make the colors of the saree bleed. So even if you are airing it out, make sure that you do it in a shaded place.
4. Always keep a cotton cloth over your saree and your iron on low heat setting while ironing it. The direct contact of heat can take away the vibrant colors of your patola saree.

Mirraw – The Best Store to Shop Patola Sarees Online

You must be wondering where to buy it from without being cheated on. Well, Mirraw is your go-to online destination when it comes to shopping for authentic Patola sarees. We deliver patola sarees that are made by skilled artisans using authentic weaving techniques. Huge discounts without compromising on quality are what sets Mirraw apart from your regular shopping destination. We have an extensive range of Patola saree collection that serves both your modern and traditional needs for all occasions. So, what are you waiting for? buy patola sarees online right away!