Saris. Oh, how beautiful they are. The national dress of India is worn by women from all stations and ages in urban and rural communities. Women can find every color imaginable in varieties of fabric from pure silk to blends of man made and natural fibers. Saris are appropriate for business or leisure and women wear them every day, any season. They can be draped in any number of ways but fit almost any body size and shape.

I wanted one but, first, I had to choose the fabric.

This impossible choice test is made even more difficult because sari shops are everywhere all over India. Where do I stop and shop? The show windows proclaim these choices with sari dressed mannequins posed in come hither stances. When I finally did walk in a shop in Bangalore, the profusion of shelf bound choices cried out as a symphony of dazzling colors and textures that was truly awesome.

What is a traveler to do? Take some sips of tea (offered to refresh and revive) and let the show begin. Store clerks were most solicitous. They present and discuss examples. Suggest and recommend possibilities. Silk can be for dress-up daytime and evening, cotton and blends for leisure and at home wear. But after almost an hour of eyeing, fondling and testing, I finally made my decision. My choice was a rosy red, shimmering striated silk piece. I was enthusiastically assured that the color and textures were perfect for my tan complexion.

Convinced my decision was right, I said yes! I couldn’t wait to visit my Indian friends and take them up on their offer to fit my new purchase in a sari style that worked for me. The price was right. I paid in rupees, clutched my Indian garment and trotted off.

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