Pooja Hegde makes a case for dopamine dressing in a sari with vintage floral prints

Pooja Hegde subverted the custom of wearing a kasavu sari—the traditional off-white number with gold zari border from Kerala—and chose a contemporary colourful sari for celebrating Onam. For the occasion, the actor chose a sari by Irrau by Samir Mantri. The multicoloured drape comes as the label’s answer to dopamine dressing beyond the realm of modern separates and into Indian occasion wear.

The gossamer organza sari, rightly called Gulbahar, Persian for spring flowers, brings together a vivid medley of yellow, green, purple and orange shades in a painterly fashion with large floral motifs running across the fluid drape. An antique gold border embellished with sequins and pearls finish the sari and add to its vintage appeal and traditional opulence. Cut sleeveless with a sweetheart neckline, the peach-orange blouse continues the narrative with the same floral motifs and border detailing. Hegde’s choice also makes an interesting case for rethinking what dopamine dressing can mean in an Indian wardrobe. The term is often associated with contemporary fashion, from saturated tailoring to bright separates, but traditional occasion wear has long embraced colour as a defining part of its visual language. That exuberance comes through in the actor’s sari that is festive yet featherlight.

While the sari does most of the heavy-lifting, Hegde’s choice of accessories added to the overall look. She chose handcrafted mixed metal jhumkas from Jaipur-based label Abhilasha with ghungroos that added to the the sari’s antique finish, and rounded off the accessories with a stack of bangles. Her makeup followed the same lowkey suit with nude lipstick, mascara and a small black bindi. Soft curls on her newly-cropped bob completed the beauty look.

The versatility of Hegde’s sari makes it perfect for the upcoming festive and wedding season. The styling can be kept pared back for an occasion or dialled up for a daytime wedding ceremony with a sculptural choker, statement earrings and a statement gold clutch. A deeper lip or softly smoked eyes, too, can instantly shift the same sari from understated festive dressing to occasion-ready glamour.

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