A lightweight chiffon sari, as worn by Sara Ali Khan, makes for an easy-breezy look

The best fabrics for the season are cotton and linen, or blends of these fibres. For dressier occasions, you can opt for chiffon or crushed chiffon for a breezy vibe. To create visually interesting looks, she recommends experimenting with colour and texture. “Summer lends itself beautifully to colourful looks. While whites and pastels are evergreen favourites, if your sari is in a lighter fabric, you can opt for darker hues such as purple or wine,” Sagwekar elaborates.

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Half-sari coolth

Fashion designer Vaishali Sagwekar wears a half-sari drape    

Comfort should be your top priority, especially if you are wearing your sari to work and want to stay cool and chic all day long. Here, you can replace a traditional fitted blouse with a slightly boxy crop top, tee, kurta or even a shirt. If you must wear a blouse, Sagwekar recommends sleeveless designs made of cotton. “A drape that works really well for the summer is the South Indian half-sari. This comprises a sari draped as a skirt, which is paired with a blouse and a slightly longer dupatta that can be draped as a pallu. This style allows you to move freely, is much more breathable than a regular sari drape, and is quite fuss-free,” she adds.

Lightweight, high style

Replace your blouse with a crop top to stay cool. Add simple accessories like bangles to elevate your look

When it comes to accessories, minimal gold and silver pieces score over chunkier, more elaborate styles in the summer months. If you are feeling experimental, beaded or fabric jewellery in floral designs can be an excellent way to breathe a little bohemian flair into your sari ensemble. “When accessorising, focus your attention to one part of your body — for instance, you can skip earrings if you’re wearing a statement necklace. A simple way to add interest, layers and movement to your sari look is with bangles,” Sagwekar signs off.