Sarees are described as elegant, proper, eternal or timeless and classic garments which are 3000 years old and sell more than any other garment in India — a market of Rs 54000 crore, showing a growth rate of 8.8 per cent between 1998 –2006. It is a six-yard of unstitched fabric that adapts itself to the personality and anatomy of one who wears it.

According to Shobha De, a saree reveals the mid-riff, the neck, the back and still remains proper. These days sarees are stitched and they become pre-pleated skirts. They are attached to petticoat and their waist is adjusted to the buyer’s size. Sarees are worn with blouses. Blouse per se did not exist before the 19th century. Prior to that, a kanchuki was wrapped around the chest. It was a single piece of cloth. Many did not wear even kanchukis and remained bare-breasted. The saree-blouse combination since then has come a long way. In the 1940s and 1950s, there were puffed sleeves. In the 1960s, the tight blouses went sleeveless or had cap sleeves. In the 1970s, there were 3/4th sleeves. In the 1980s and 1990s, the saree-blouse combination made fashion statements. Blouses have different neck-cuts. Thhey could be backless or nearly backless. They could be collaredThey can be full-sleeved or 3/4th-sleeved.Deeply scooped necklines are trndy. Pallus are draped in such a way that they cover the right breast but leaves the left choli-covered breast as it is. Blouse has the potential to become a coutre garment. A blouse is a highly customised garment and so ready-made blouses have no market in India.