Haute Line

Among her favourites, Uma Devi lists pastel colours and smaller prints, claiming that huge blockprints are not to her taste. Saris have been a natural choice for her since she began wearing them following her marriage at 18. “During the day, I prefer to wear Chanderi cotton saris, printed Kotas or even chiffons. I am not a shopping freak, but when I do shop, it’s in Bangalore or Mumbai. I do wear Western outfits, usually trousers with a top; this, mostly when I attend parties. When abroad, I prefer to wear Western outfits as they are more comfortable whilst travelling or sight-seeing. At any official function, it’s a sari, maybe a Kanjeevaram with a contrasting border” she adds.

Uma Devi is very sure when it comes to drawing the line between good dressing and exhibitionism. She does experiment at times but usually gets right back to wearing what she is comfortable in. “I do feel that a sari is the best attire. I suppose you don’t really grow out of a sari. But with Western clothes, there is the necessity to keep that trim figure. Abroad, saris draw a lot of attention. There is this fascination about how we can wear a six-yard cloth. Our family is still traditional and I also wear nine-yard saris during pujas and special ocassions,” she mentions.

As for accessories, Uma Devi loves pearls. Why? “Because they are elegant and convey gentleness.” Also important is the kind of footwear you wear and the handbag you carry. She continues, “I don’t dress to make a statement. I hate being bejewelled. The essence of a woman is the mysterious charm she exudes. She often knows instinctively what suits her complexion, figure and dresses accordingly. We imitate a lot of Western styles and the people there are casually dresses”.

She claims that labels are good in so far as they make comfortable wear. As a fad, they are unimportant. To her, expense does not define wearability. She believes that one can look good in inexpensive clothes – anything as long as it makes one look neat and clean.

Often, one tends to overlook the need for poise and grace, says Uma Devi, and that also goes into making a person attractive. Among her ideal women are Maharani Gayatri Devi, who is elegant, and Indira Gandhi, who was always a vision of confidence.