Saree, the Crop Top Way: One Office Day That Changed How I See Indian Wear

The meeting was going well. Polite conversations, cultural small talk, the usual exchange that happens when you’re sitting across the table from international clients. Somewhere between coffee refills and presentation slides, Bollywood came up. Then Indian TV serials. And then sarees.

They weren’t talking about weddings. Or festivals. They were talking about workwear. About how women on Indian television walk into offices wearing sarees like it’s the most normal thing in the world. Confident. Put together. Effortless.

They wanted to see that in real life.

So we decided to do something simple. Saree Day at the office.

Now, here’s where reality kicks in.

My office culture is extremely relaxed. Track pants don’t shock anyone. Sneakers are standard. Comfort usually wins over everything else. I don’t wake up thinking about formal Indian wear on a workday. And my wardrobe reflects that perfectly.

I do wear sarees. I love them. But not daily. Not even weekly. Weddings, receptions, cocktail nights, festive dinners. That’s when the sarees come out. And they’re very much “occasion sarees”. Modern cuts. Statement fabrics. A little drama. Sometimes a lot of shine.

So when Saree Day became official, I realised something awkward. I didn’t own a single saree that felt right for office.

Not too festive. Not too dull. Not something that looks like it belongs to a farewell party or a family function.

Shopping didn’t help immediately. Walk into any retail store and the moment you ask for a “ decent designer saree ”, the numbers start climbing. Eight thousand. Ten thousand. And higher. Spending that much for a saree I might wear occasionally to work didn’t make sense.

That’s when a TV character popped into my head. Avantika from Pyaar Ka Dard Hai. Her sarees were always clean, calm, and confident. Nothing loud. Nothing boring. They looked lived-in. Like clothes someone actually works in.

That was the direction I wanted.

Nine Colours was already on my mental shortlist. Big collection, modern sensibility, and most importantly, practical pricing. I didn’t want something cheap-looking, but I also didn’t want to feel guilty wearing it to office.

I found a pink Manipuri Kota silk saree. Light. Structured. Elegant without trying too hard. It felt breathable just looking at it. The kind of saree you can sit, walk, work, and still feel like yourself by evening.

Problem solved. Or so I thought.

The saree arrived on time. Perfect.

Blouse stitching did not.

No time for fittings. No emergency tailor runs. Nothing.

That’s when crop tops quietly saved the entire situation.

Crop tops get misunderstood a lot. People assume they’re bold by default. But in reality, they’re just shorter blouses with cleaner lines. I already had several in my wardrobe. Silver. Black. Gold. Textured. Structured.

And here’s the thing no one tells you enough. A saree balances everything.

You don’t worry about being slim enough. You don’t worry about showing skin. The drape does all the work. It softens the crop top instantly. Makes it aesthetic instead of loud.

I paired the saree with a silver-black crop top. Not flashy. Not plain. Just right. The contrast worked without shouting for attention. Traditional fabric, modern silhouette. Nothing forced.

Hair and makeup needed discipline. This wasn’t a party look. It was work. Power dressing works best when you don’t overdo it. I went with a neat bun. Clean. Sharp. A high ponytail would’ve worked too. Makeup stayed simple. Good skin. Defined eyes. No extra drama.

Walking into the office felt different. Not awkward. Not costume-like. Just different in a refreshing way.

The saree didn’t slow me down. It didn’t feel heavy. It didn’t feel out of place in a modern workspace. The crop top made it feel current. Like something that belonged in today’s office, not just on television.

People noticed. Naturally. Compliments came in quietly. A few surprised looks. Some genuine curiosity. The delegates were visibly pleased. This was what they’d imagined when they spoke about Indian workwear. Not exaggerated. Not ceremonial. Just confident.

That day shifted something for me.

I stopped seeing sarees as “special occasion only” clothing. They don’t need traditional blouses every time. They don’t need heavy jewellery. They don’t need permission.

Pair them with pieces you already own. Crop tops. Belts. Jackets. Shirts. The saree adapts beautifully when you let it.

And honestly, that’s the beauty of Indian wear. It evolves without losing itself.

Since that day, my wardrobe feels more flexible. Sarees feel less intimidating. Crop tops feel more versatile. The rules feel lighter.

If you’ve ever stood in front of your cupboard thinking, “I love sarees but I don’t know how to wear them to work”, try this once. Pick a light fabric. Choose subtle colours. Pair it smartly. Keep the rest clean.

You don’t need a reason bigger than curiosity.

And if you’re wondering where to start without spending a fortune, Ninecolours makes experimenting easier. The kind of place where you can try something new without overthinking the price tag.

Sometimes, one outfit is enough to change how you see your clothes.

That office Saree Day did exactly that for me.

FAQs