Sari - love the colours and sparkle. But.....

[Cattleprod]

I keep seeing the most incredible looking saris, both in real life and on telly. Amazing rich colours with flambuoyant patterns and covered in sequins and glitter. I would look ridiculous in one, being pasty white and British, but I'd love to get something along those lines - maybe a skirt or scarf, or even just a piece of the material to use as a bedspread.

Do any mumsnetters frequent traditional Asian clothes shops? What do they sell that a non-Asian person could wear without looking odd? And what would the typical price be for a colourful sparkly skirt, for example?

I know what you mean.

My sister married an asian chap, and the wedding was wonderful. So "alive" compared to our C of E celebrations.

I LOVED wearing my sari. It was so pretty and very very flattering.

Not sure what you might wear or where???

Go in and ask!

What about a Kurta, which is a sort of shirt that comes in varying lengths? They're traditionally worn with salwars or churidars, both types of trousers, but lots of people wear them with jeans. You can get very plain ones in cotton or linen or much fancier ones, often made of silk, that are embroidered or embellished with sequins or beading. Mine have come from India and Pakistan but if you live anywhere near an Asian clothes shop (plenty in London, especially Southall, as well as in Birmingham, Leicester and Glasgow, for example) you could go along for a look. The quality varies but you basically get what you pay for. Alternatively, there are web-based suppliers so you could have a google.

Also, Monsoon often stock ethnically-inspired pieces, including skirts. You can buy skirts (lenga) from Asian clothes shops but they tend to be part of a wedding suit i.e. with a matching top and scarf (dupatta), and correspondingly expensive.

I have bought things from here before (not saris though!)

www.rupalionline.com/Index.aspx?Pos=H

This place is amazing for blingy accessories - I have bought so many things from here before, and the quality is very good.

www.shopbees.com/

there is a great chain of stores in India specialising in clothes and textiles called Fab India. my MIL sends stuff over from there all the time and I think they ship internationally.

otherwise I would say maybe raid your local Asian clothes shop for dupattas (the long stole/scarf worn with salwar kameez) and use like a scarf with some Asian style jewellery? works well with jeans and plain tshirts/tunics

Thanks for all your ideas. I'll check out those links. Unfortunately we have no Asian shops locally but I know there are a few in Bedford where my parents live. I'll have a look round next time I'm up there.

Wow that Rupali place has a wide range of prices - £2.50 for some leggings to £999 for a bridal outfit. I'm liking some of the chudidars!

have you looked at the sizing on that website though? I like the idea of trying a kurta, but all the ones I looked at were in 'standard' size!? I'm pretty sure I'm not a standard size!

what about shalwar kameese?