Maybe this was mentioned but - if you like you can get your saris fixed up as "automatic sari" (that is what tailor calls them) -- the sari is fixed to the petticoat, with the loose part [pallav I think] still loose and drapeable - so it's easier
to get yourself into.

I suppose if same petticot is doing duty for more than one sari this won't work!! I went to a super-fancy wedding in Udaipur, at a variety of locations - one thing I am sure you know, there's not such thing as being "overdressed," and any effort at Indian wear is enjoyed and appreciated by your hosts.

I've found that the teen-agers' shopping chain in the US, Forever 21, has a great range of bangles, and great prices - same ones cost more elsewhere. Cheap bangles that look nice with the colors you're wearing, I think they are fine - bangles actually are supposed to be made of glass or tin, so they jingle, and the more the better. Or if you have dramatic other jewelry, real or costume, that will be nice too.

Can't wait to read about it.

The same petticoat can be used for numerous saris as long as the petticoat color suits the main color of the other saris.

Bring a few medium and large safety pins. They are very helpfull to keep sari pleats secured at the waist and the pallu at the shoulder. Pin from the underside so they aren't seen.

I'VE GOT IT!!!

get a new grass skirt.... get tons of bling beads... thread beads onto each piece of grass...

make a hat out of a coconut shell and adorn it with more bling...

ordinarily i would say go topless, but i think that is a poor idea given situations and indian culture... maybe a linen blouse that flows...

VIOLA!!!

don't forget the nose to ear piercings too

Laughing,..out...loud...

Oprah's in Bombay today wearing a sari.

dressed as described??

Hope to see your photos!!! I still cherish the memories of the Indian wedding with all of the above-mentioned events, even though it was state-side. The bride's mom loaned us her saris and had blouses and slips made in India for us. Bought fun jewelry there for us also. We only wore western gear to the final reception. The photos are priceless memories for us all.

Bob, if I had Karen's email, I would tell her that you are totally misbehaving. Besides, at my age, going topless could be dangerous in more ways than one :-o

Who's Viola?

Viola is a bowed string instrument.

The casual observer may mistake the viola for 'Voila!', a French expression which literally means 'See there!. Some might translate it as: 'There you go!'

However, in this instance, it appears to be some form of drag name, used by entertainers of dubious sexuality - or possibly one of male cast members from 'South Pacific' - which, I'm told, is much the same.

'<i> get a new grass skirt, tons of bling beads, thread beads onto each piece of grass - make a hat out of a coconut shell and adorn it with more bling... </i>'

Either way, this tawdry diversion is most upsetting.

Viola is Bob's proof reader. He was just calling for her assistance.

Or she might be Oprah's stylist.

If she's Oprah's stylist for her current India trip, she needs to be fired. Search Oprah in saree and see the pictures. Oprah should not be wearing a bright orange sari! She looks like a tangerine. And respectable women don't show cleavage. The "pallu" of her sari (the fabric that goes across the chest, over the shoulder and hangs down the back) should be neatly pleated, not gathered into a bunch and should cover her chest more than it does.

There are gorgeous saris that would have looked better in terms of color and design than the one she had on this past Monday. More design on the sari rather than the blouse would have been more attractive and slimming.

Just like western clothing is selected based on what looks best for the person wearing it, so does choosing a sari!

dogster is jelous that you might out-dress him..

my assistant's (nurse's) name is Vi
and i have played the viola as a one man orchesta for many years

..as long as you don't cross-dress him...

I've got the details now! They decided to have a "destination" wedding in Goa with ceremonies on June 14 and 15. I expect it will be very hot or very wet.:((

The groom's family has blocked out a whole resort for the wedding. No name (or price)yet, but I committed to one room for the three nights.

The bride's mother invited me to stay with them in Delhi for a few days beforehand to do my shopping. I will probably do that, as then I'll be able to find proper clothing and might give me an extra moment or two to catch up with the bride.

Turns out the "boy" is a Sikh. Although he's clean shaven, I'm guessing there will be a lot of tall men with daggers and beards at the wedding!

and turbans

why don't hyou wear a turban too, in the 40's it was big in hollywood---and now you are going to bollywood

Going to Delhi ahead of time is a great idea. You can also make sure that what you are planning to wear for saris are "in style". Yes, saris also go in and out of style just like Western clothing. Also, you can make sure your saris are dressy enough for a wedding. Usually that means there is gold or silver embroidery included in the design. You can't wear saris that are only printed with a design. There has to be some type or embroidery or brocade work on the sari or the blouse.

For the bindi (forehead dot), if you wear one the little Swarovski looking stones are considered tasteful and fashionable. If you wear a colored bindi to match your sari, stay with bindis that are 1/8th to 1/4 inch size. Bigger than that starts to look tacky.