Lehnga choli

A lady of honour ideally covered her back and upper arms, and her blouse was made of a thick fabric. Of course, every woman followed the norm. The rolling 70s and 80s saw a play of 'catch me-catch-menot' choli mantra, where the woman conveyed a safe yet sensuous message to her man. Blouses went knotty, criss-crossed with a deep cut and shone through the sheer saree.

Actor Vidya Balan, who's made a telling fashion statement with her cholis and sarees, says, "The drape and the blouse make the saree a sexy ensemble, and my blouses are always low back because I love the peep of the skin against so much fabric." Today, women reveal their adventurous streak through innovatively low cut blouses. In fact, a blouse with mega l e n g t h sleeves, regular round neck is considered boring and the ones with a halter neck or spaghetti straps are quite the rage.

Experimentation is in

Designer Azeem Khan says, "When going traditional, the ensembles should display the larger fashion trends. If it's a saree that a woman wants to wear, she must go a bit flamboyant and glamorous .Functionality is another important aspect a modern woman pays attention to. Short kurti-like blouse with a sheer saree is a smart yet dressy choice. Sarees with sexy cholis also make for a good option."

Colours are bolder

Whites and black blouses are so last generation. Fashion designer Maheka Mirpuri emphasises that colours also depict a bold attitude. Corals, flame orange, peacock green, soft lavender, indigo and gold are the modern woman's choice of colours.

East meets west twist

Unlike some decades ago, when blouses wore a mundane, covered up look, today the entire approach towards the choli is adventurous. Says designer Manish Malhotra, "Since most young people follow a healthy gym routine and are at ease with their bodies, they want to look different and still be effortlessly comfortable. They like to travel and carry a sense of Indianness around them. A beautifully embroidered saree teamed with a funky blouse seems, to me, to be the most apt look."

Attitude is kick-ass

Blouses with low cuts, with strappy strings strung together by sheer will power to keep the blouse in the place it should be. Of course, one's body needs to be well-toned, the back needs to be superbly exfoliated and bikini line needs to be aptly waxed, to wear the new-age sexy choli.

Evidently, the present day woman is a far cry from the 60s and 70s. Being cool is her signature touch, and fashion-wise, the choli has shrunk just right to adapt to her multi-tasking life.