Have you noticed in Bollywood movies of 1950s and 60s, most of our actresses used to wear blouses that were almost packed to the neck. This is the time when the blouse latkans were the least important accessory for women dress.
As Indian women became more confident, and the blouse back started becoming more stylish as well as low cut, Blouse latkans started to come in fashion.
Lace Latkan
Lace latkan are used as sleeve latkan are also used in end of blouse back and front to give a delicate look to the blouse. Almost every designer today is using these sleeve hangings. They come in myriad style and material. You can find them in real mirror, paper mirror, real stone, crystal material and so many other options. I had a lovely banarasi sari in rose gold colour. I added a rose gold mirror latkan lace to the blouse sleeve and saree palla and I was surprised at how a traditional banarasi saree changed into a designer piece just by this small addition.
Lace Hangings are a must have to give a designer look to your blouse!
See more designs in mirror latkan lace (blouse sleeve lace)
Crystal / Cut dana Latkan
The hottest trend this season is of crystal and cut dana latkan. Used by most designers in their outfits, cutdana and crystal latkans have a unique glaze to them anf they look really cool. Cutdana latkan are available in all colours and are especially useful if your blouse is in pastel shades. The delicate sparkle of cutdana latkans and its rich yes young look makes it a ideal candidate to give the shine, sparkle and sophisticated charm to your outfit
Mirror Latkans
Mirrors have always been very popular accessory amongst Indian Women. Be it mirror work fabric or mirror work lehenga, mirror work has never gone out of fashion in India. How can our cute latkan stay far away from mirror work. These beautiful mirror hangings are made from small reflective mirror pieces. These mirror hangings are a great way to add instant sparkle and glam to any outfit. Tied at end of blouse doris, these mirror latkan give both gorgeous and glamours look when they sway with your walk.
Mirror latkan come in varied sizes and styles. Here are some example of pretty mirror latkans for your blouse
Thread Latkan
A very popular choice amongst women for latkan is thread latkan. Remember the parandi that Punjabi kudis would wear on their hair? These latkans are inspired by similar style. Thread latkan are made with a variety of threads like cotton, woollen and silk threads. A bunch of threads are folded and tied into tassel knots and further decorated with beads or sequins. A very popular way of decorating thread latkan is topping with with golden lace pieces. They give the latkan an absolutely pro look.
If you are using Thread latkan then be creative on how you use them. Use a lot of them give are commonly used are a relatively cheap way to add feminine grace to your blouse.
Gold Latkan in Beads
Did you know that Indians have been making beads ever since the time of Indus - Saraswati Civilisation? That is more than 10000 years. Now since we are such masters in bead making craft, it is but natural that those beads will be used to accessorise women apparel. The top favourite of women in category of beaded hangings are gold bead hangings. These tassels match well with most blouses as most festive wear blouse have some gold work on it. Even otherwise gold matches well with bright colours like red, green, blue, maroon etc. These days you will find a lot of colour option in gold latkan as well. The top favorite being Antique Gold, Water Gold, Rose Gold along with the popular Gold colour.
White Moti Latkan
Another popular variety of beaded latkan is moti latkan. They resemble pearl in style and colour but are made of artificial beads. These pearl tassels are a great way to get the sophisticated or subtle look. While Gold adds bling to your blouse, these cream and white moti hanging add subtle feminine grace to your outfit.
Pillow latkan
Want a 3D look to your latkan? Pillow or takiya latkans are your best bet! Made by stuffing soft cotton in beautifully embroidered fabric and giving them shope of pillow these hangings look super cute. They come in many shapes and sizes. Square, circle, semi-circle are the most popular shapes in pillow latkans. The sizes can also very from small to large and even very large.
The best part about pillow latkan is that they can be made in combination with any other latkan syle like pillow latkan with embroidery, pillow latkan with beads, pillow latkan with cutdana crystal etc.
Sequence Latkan
Sequence blouses and lehengas are back in trend, so how can sequence latkan stay far behind! If you have a sequin blouse then sequin blouse latkan are the best match for your blouse. Very few latkan actually match sequin blouse other than sequin hanging.
Embroidery Latkan
Embroidery is possibly the oldest way to make style statement. The more intricate the embroidery, more expensive look it provides. When embroidery work is all pervasive in fashion industry, how can our latkans not follow the trend? Embroidered latkan make beautiful combination for blouse pieces. If your work has rich embroidery on it, then you must check out embroidery hangings as you might find your best match here.
Cloth Latkans made of blouse fabric
Cloth Blouse back latkans are very popular as they are easiest to make. Made by the tailors using the left over fabric material of the blouse itself, it is the cheapest latkan option for your blouse. Cloth latkan as blouse back hangings are found in almost every readymade blouse and every tailor adds them to the dori to the blouse stitched by them.
When used as blouse latkans, the biggest benefit of cloth latkans are that they are lightweight, soft, and you can easily wash them along with the blouse. Thus making them best choice for daily wear blouses.
In recent times, cloth latkan have made a massive comeback when bunch cloth latkan made of fabric became vogue. If you want to ask your tailor to make these bunch latkan, please keep in mind is that to make good they take at least half a meter of fabric. So go for them only when you have a lot of extra fabric to give to your tailor.
Will keep updating this list as and when we spot new trends in latkan. Subscribe to our Instagram and youtube channel to stay connected.