Meera Sriram shares about feeling confident wearing traditional South Asian clothing.
Last year, I made a small but conscious decision to wear a sari more often. I’d never owned too many and I’d only worn them for special celebrations once or twice a year, despite the fact that I fondly and deeply loved everything about the garment.
My tiny collection mostly stayed tucked away in an Ikea box under the bed. But as I was nearing fifty, this little pleasure of life resurfaced. On my following visit to India, I carved out the time to shop for new saris. I handpicked from Ma’s stash and brought back many favorites.
On my return, I made room in my closet. When a friend mentioned a new sari lovers club in my city, Berkeley, I signed up. However, very soon, I discovered I was far from adept at both tying a sari and carrying myself in it.
My pleats were graceless. My sari slid and left a wake. And I frequently tripped in it. Clumsily, I persisted. Until I realized what really kept me going was how the drape made me feel. Often, it wrapped me in Ma’s warm scent, tender with memories of home. It reminded me of the timelessness of its weaves and aesthetics.