‘Circe’ by Madeline Miller

Smoke & Gold

My first look is inspired by Madeline Miller’s book Circe.

The elements I decided to incorporate into my look is the black and the gold. Since the book was about Circe, a sorceress from Greek Mythology, I decided I’d include drapes into the look. Also, since it was Diwali I thought it would be perfect to style a look with my saree! (A great excuse to wear it actually)

While styling this look I realised that I could totally wear this to a Diwali party. It was quirky but absolutely functional, which I didn’t expect when I pictured it in my head. The saree is a gold silk tissue material I’d brought from India but the treggings and tank top you can get from any high street store. I’m blown away by the versatility of sarees now that’ve figured out how to wear it with pants. So, if you ever need to go to an Indian party and fretting about wearing a saree just do it pant-style!

The hardest part about styling this look was draping the saree. Traditionally a saree is worn with a petticoat at the bottom to hold the pleats in place but I worked with the black tights and lots of pins of course!

I replaced the usual blouse with a black tank top and complemented it by draping the saree as a blouse which gives the effect of a high neck. Since I styled it with leggings, I didn’t have to wrap it around myself twice, leaving me with a lot of material to go around my neck and function as a blouse.