Jainsem, the traditional attire of Meghalaya is one of the most feminine dresses for women of all age groups, says Shaili Dhagat. Good dressing involves a lot of imagination, mix n match options, a wardrobe that is both stylish as well as traditional, stocking up the best of trendy and ethnic wear.
An elegant Jainsem, the traditional attire for women of Meghalaya in the North East can add both variety and grace to yours’. The Jainsem is a two piece garment that is draped in a most alluring manner. A typical Jainsem comprises of two identical pieces of fabric that could be simple starched cotton, flowing georgette or chiffon or rich and smooth satin and silk.
The cost accordingly varies. It is available in a myriad of colours and designs could be embroidered, in sequins, laced, hand-painted or plain with exotic borders. The women of Meghalaya are very feminine in their tastes. While the younger girls like to dress up in the western attire, the women folk look extremely elegant in their traditional jainsems.
A jainsem is one of the most feminine attire for women of all age-groups. The variety, the range, the prints and the works make for a truly breath-taking look. In Meghalaya, be it festivity, family get-togethers or the lavish weddings, a jainsem is an ideal dress for any and every occasion. It is high on the style as well as the comfort quotient and is the traditional garment for the women of Meghalaya.
Some of the finest collections of jainsems are available at Delhi Hatt during festivals, Pragati Maidan and Meghalaya Emporiums. And if you happen to visit Shillong, the picturesque valley, be sure to pick up one from Police Bazaar or Laitumkhrah. Says S Deb, the store-manager at Hanumanbax Indrachand, showroom at Police Bazaar, “Amongst the women-folk here, jainsem is very popular. Two pieces of cloth are required, 2.7 metres each. These are draped over the shoulders. The cost depends upon the material of the cloth selected.
For casual wear, some like satin while others go in for georgette or the synthetic range available for Rs 600 to Rs 900. The lace material also is very popular as is silk. This range is more expensive too. For weddings, there is a wide exclusive range in white jainsems which cost anything from Rs 1000 onwards.
When it comes to designing jainsems, women of Shillong like to concentrate on the ‘shrong’ or the border. While zari thread work is very popular, so is beadwork and sequin work. There is a wide range that we have done here, on jainsems, from Rs 200 to Rs 7000. Festivals and weddings are special seasons for working on beautiful jainsems.”
Jainsem certainly is the most liked attire by women in Meghalaya.
The patterns are truly exquisite and there is a wide range to choose from. Elizabeth is a Fashion Designer from Shillong who visits Delhi and Bangalore very often to buy silks and other fabrics. She has her own boutique, ‘Jongphi’, at main road Laitumkhrah, Shillong . She is one fashion designer who is extremely fond of draping women in beautiful jainsems. Says Elizabeth, “The women of Meghalaya are petite built in general and the traditional jainsem seems to be the perfect attire for them. I love designing the jainsems by hand and machine embroidery, beadwork, sequin and crystal work.
Many women here also love to get their jainsems hand painted in fabric colors. The floral patterns look really graceful on elderly women while the younger ones like to experiment with abstract fabric painting and mix n match contrast colors. Some also have the taste for patch work on their jainsems. We cut patterns in ‘zari’ or ‘lace’ materials and embroider it on the jainsem.
The front side of the Jainsem is where the work shows the most, so the pattern must be highlighted on this side. Coulors like beige, maroon, brown, black, white, rust, shades of pink and blue are very popular. Fabrics like satin and silk are more popular. The blouse is also an important part of this attire. Many women like to have similar designs on the blouses as on their jainsem. The sleeves are where the work does show.
Both straight sleeves and light puff sleeves go well with any kind of a jainsem. During the winter months, short coats also look very glamorous with jainsems. I also suggest the right and matching accessories like the handbag, purse and the footwear. We designers would love if this beautiful attire becomes popular in other parts of India as well.”
Experts suggest that the fabric, the pattern, the design, the work all must be chosen with care, depending on one’s body type. The slim body-types can go in for more heavy fabric as well as work but the women on more voluptuous side should choose a finer fabric with more elegant and light work. Same could be said about accessories too.
Light jewellery like an elegant string of pearls goes well with a heavy jainsem, while heavier jewellery could be worn with light work on jainsems. Gold thread work on a jainsem looks exquisite with gold jewellery while silver thread work would suit silver jewellery.
So, a traditional, ethnic, exquisite and elegant jainsem teamed with the right accessories and jewellery is definitely an attire for the special woman. So go ahead add a beautiful jainsem to your wardrobe for variety, grace and those funky theme parties. Make heads turn, win lots of compliments.