Politics and fashion are not disassociated with each other. What politicians wear can significantly shape public opinion about how they think and what they stand for. From colours to textures, from fits to styles, every aspect plays a role in shaping perception. The female politicians of India have often aced their style, with many donning traditional sarees at public appearances as well as personal occasions. As Maharashtra Assembly elections 2024 approach, we look at leaders from the state and other parts of the country who have embraced sarees as their statement style over the years.
Updated On: 2024-11-12 09:16 AM IST
Compiled by : Raaina Jain
Nirmala Sitharaman
Nirmala Sitharaman, the Union Finance Minister, is known to don traditional sarees during public appearances, especially while presenting the Union Budget. Not only do these sarees feature Indian textiles and crafts, but can also entail subtle signs of what the budget has in store. (Pics: AFP)
Sitharaman usually opts for warm or muted colours with simple draping and styling. For example, during the 2024 Budget announcement, she opted for an off-white silk saree, adorned with a purple border.
Sitharaman’s sarees usually represent Indian handlooms from different corners of the country, sending the message of supporting local weavers and artisans.
For Budget 2021, she had opted for a Pochampally silk saree, which originated from Hyderabad.
Smriti Irani
Actor-turned-politician Smriti Irani is known for elegantly pulling off saree looks ranging from simple to intricate prints. She doesn’t miss any opportunity to show her love for the ethnic garment. (Pics: Instagram/@smritiiraniofficial)
In this picture from Amethi, she is seen wearing a printed ethnic saree with an orange elboy-length-sleeved blouse. She completes the look with a statement neckpiece.
In this picture shared by her, Irani is wearing a patterned saree with hues of white, black, pink and grey. She has paired it with a chequered blouse of the same hues.
Supriya Sule
Supriya Sule, the Working President of NCP-SP, has an exquisite saree collection, a fact that shines through in her public appearances wearing authentic Indian handlooms as well as her personal celebrations with family. (Pic: AFP)
In an interview with Radio City earlier this year, Sule had remarked, “The credit for my saree collection goes to the weavers of India, who create such beautiful sarees. It also goes to my mother, daughter and two sisters who ensure that I carry these sarees properly.” She also said that sarees give her identity. (Pics: Instagram/@supriyasule)
In this picture, Sule keeps it simple with a lavender saree paired with a plain white blouse.
In this picture shared by Sule, with Lieutenant Governor of J&K Manoj Sinha and politician Kanimozhi Karunanidhi, she has donned a simple yet elegant green and purple saree. She completed the look with a neckpiece, bangles and her statement bindi. (Pic: Instagram/@supriyasule)
Shaina NC
Shaina NC, Shiv Sena’s candidate contesting from Mumbadevi, is also a fashion designer. She carries an immense love for sarees, experimenting with them in different ways. (Pics: Instagram/@shaina_nc)
Her name was registered in the Guinness Book of World Records for draping a saree in fifty-four different ways.
“My love affair with the classic saree goes back 30 years ever since I started designing,” she had written in a Facebook post. In this picture, she is wearing a Bandhani-print saree with different shades of green. (Pic: Instagram/@shaina_nc)
Mamata Banerjee
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is always spotted wearing her signature white sarees. It has become her style statement. (Pics: AFP)
Although the central colour of her sarees remains the same, the pallus (drapes) always vary with different colours and motifs.
Here, she is seen wearing a white saree with a yellow pallu.
Sonia Gandhi
Sonia Gandhi is often spotted wearing sarees. She usually opts for understated or subdued prints and textures. The colour pallette of her sarees includes a wide range of hues. (Pics: AFP)
Here, she is seen wearing a yellow and white saree paired with a simple white blouse.
Priyanka Gandhi
Priyanka Gandhi is often spotted wearing suits or sarees. The latter has com eto be associated with her style. She usually dons simple yet elegant handlooms with contrasting borders and blouse. (Pics: AFP)
Posing alongside brother Rahul Gandhi, she is wearing a purple saree with golden border and matching blouse.
Hema Malini
The dream girl of Bollywood Hema Malini brings her exquisite sense of style to politics as well. She usually opts for regal prints that depict the richness of Indian textiles. (Pics: Instagram/@dreamgirlhemamalini)
Here, she is seen perfomring puja wearing a mint-green saree with pink and green border.
