A saree is a woman’s best friend. It is the perfect attire for any occasion, making the woman look her best. No woman’s wardrobe can be complete with some traditional sarees in it. One of the traditional sarees of the south is the Ilkal Sarees. It is named Ilkal, from the small town in the Bagalkot district in Karnataka, traditionally made. The saree is woven on a handloom using cotton for a wrap and art silk for the weft, and then both are joined together using a traditional technique called the Tope Teni technique. The other combinations possible are cotton for a wrap, pure silk for a weft, and silk for warp and weft.
Ilkal Sarees Importance:
Ilkal sarees, the traditional hand-woven sarees of Ilkal town in Bagalkot, are considered very auspicious. And hence people of this region gift the handwoven Ilkal sarees to their relatives and friends, saying it is handmade. Ilkal is small in Karnataka, which is mostly dependent on agriculture as its primary source of income. As this source is very uncertain, people started weaving the sarees in the home as an alternative source of income, and hence these handwoven sarees got famous as Ilkal Sarees.
Ilkal Sarees Features:
The following are some of the unique features of the Ilkal saris that make it stand out of the lot:
- The body wrap of the saree is joined with the pallu wrap using the traditional Tope Teni technique.
- The pallu portion, known as ‘TOPE TENI SARAGU’, is divided into three solid portions, one in red and the other 2 in white, with the traditional temple design.
- This TOPE TENI SARAGU is considered a state symbol and auspicious for any religious occasion.
- Red or maroon colour dominates when it comes to the border of an ilkal sarees.
The Various Types Of Borders That Accompany An Ilkal Sari Are:
- Chikki
- Gomi
- Zari
- Gadidadi
- Modern Gayathri
Latest and Trending Ilkal Saree Designs Collection with Pictures:
A saree is more than just a piece of cloth for many women. It’s a keepsake that reminds them of their mother’s love. Check out the best picks of Ilkal sarees we’ve curated in this article, especially for you.
1. Kasuti Embroidery Ilkal Saree:
This traditional Ilkal sari comes with a heavy kasuti embroidery in the pallu. The weft has buttas made with kasuti embroidery, giving it a very elegant yet heavy look. The royal blue saree’s green, yellow, and red buttas give it its richness, making it ideal for weddings. Both saree and the pallu are made up separately using silk and woven together using the TOPE TENI technique.
- Design: Blue Colour Kasuti Embroidery Ilkal Saree
- Fabric Used: Silk
- Occasions to Wear: Evening Parties, Weddings, Pre-Bridal Functions
- Body Shape Preferred: Suits All Body Types
- Blouse Suitable For This Saree: A royal blue raw silk blouse, as shown in the picture or a contrasting red silk blouse that matches the border will look great with the saree.
2. Handloom Cotton Ilkal Sari:
This Ilkal saree in red, green and yellow checks combined is a beautiful handloom cotton Ilkal saree which is handwoven on the pit looms using cotton for the wrap of the saree and art silk for the weft of the saree by the skilled weavers in Amingad, Karnataka. The beauty of this saree lies in its border, which is woven in a chikki paras pattern. The pallu of the saree with stripe bands of red and white is highlighted by the temple pattern, famously known as the TOPE TENI SARAGU. This saree receives the tag of the Ilkal saree as it is made using the ancient weaving technique of cotton for the wrap and silk for the weft, which is woven separately and joined externally using knots.
- Design: Handloom Cotton Saree with Silk Pallu
- Fabric Used: Cotton and Art Silk
- Occasions to Wear: A very comfortable daily wear saree, especially in summers
- Body Shape Preferred: Suits All Body Shapes
- Blouse Suitable for this Saree: A redraw silk blouse will go best with this saree.
3. Handloom Gomi Border Ilkal Saree:
This is a beautiful traditional Ilkal saree from the handloom of Amingad in Karnataka. This light brown saree was developed by weaving two different colour threads together. The maroon border of the saree has been highlighted by the traditional handloom Gomi border, which is the essence of any Ilkal saree. The saree’s pallu has been stitched using the Tope Teni method and consists of the 3 solid portions; one is in red and the other two in white in the temple tower pattern. The saree is 6.5mtrs long with an attached running blouse of 20.”
- Design: Handloom Gomi Border Ilkal Saree
- Fabric Used: Art Silk and Cotton
- Occasions to Wear: Daily Wear, Any Small Get Together
- Body Shape Preferred: Suitable for All Body Shapes
- Blouse Suitable for this Saree: Comes with a black lace blouse attached to the saree
4. Partywear Ilkal Saree:
This beautiful saree is made from pure cotton and has an art silk pallu. The saree looks pretty due to its colourful shaded stripes, making it an ideal choice for any party. The shades of green with purple look attractive with the red border and the Tope Teni pallu. Drape it around at a party, and you will surely receive compliments for this simple yet graceful attire.
- Design: Green Striped Partywear Ilkal Saree
- Fabric Used: Cotton and Art Silk
- Occasions to wear: Bridal functions, weddings, religious functions, social get-togethers
- Body Shape preferred: Suitable for All Body Shapes
- Blouse Suitable for this Saree: This saree comes with a silk blouse to complement its look
See More: Trending Pearl Sarees
5. Ilkal Checks Saree:
When it comes to Ilkal sarees with check pattern leads the demand list. The contrasting coloured check with Tope Teni pallu looks extremely attractive. The Ilkal checks saree looks equally elegant in both cotton and silk fabric. Featured here is the one in pure silk, which adds to its richness.
- Design: Blue and Yellow Ilkal Checks Saree
- Fabric Used: Silk
- Occasions to Wear: Weddings, Evening Parties
- Body Shape Preferred: Suitable for All Body Shapes
- Blouse Suitable for this Saree: Pair it with a matching silk blouse to add to its elegance.
6. Peshwai Ilkal Saree:
This high-quality pure silk saree has zari work and a temple border. The cloth of the saree is extremely rich, making it ideal for any wedding and festive season. Pair it with any heavy zardosi work blouse, and you will look fascinating in this saree. Unlike the typical Ilkal sarees with red or maroon borders, this saree features a royal blue border that looks strikingly attractive.
- Design: Orange Colour Peshwai Ilkal Saree
- Fabric Used: Silk X Silk
- Occasions to Wear: Weddings, Parties, Festivals, Religious Functions
- Body Shape Preferred: Suitable for All Body Shapes
- Blouse Suitable for this Saree: Pair it with a heavy work blouse
See More: Patola Sarees Collection
7. Ilkal Silk Saree:
A typical weave of North Karnataka, this Ilkal saree is a must-have in your wardrobe. Your saree collection looks incomplete without this rich silk Ilkal Saree. Unlike other Ilkal Sarees, this one has a combination of Silk X Silk. That means the silk is used in weaving the wrap, and the silk is used to weave the pallu, and then both are joined using the traditional Tope Teni technique. The richness of silk makes this saree ideal for weddings or large-scale social functions.
- Design: Blue Plain Ilkal Silk Saree with Gold and Red Border
- Fabric Used: Silk X Silk
- Occasions to Wear: Weddings, Parties, Cultural Events
- Body Shape Preferred: Suitable for All Body Shapes
- Blouse Suitable for this Saree: Red Raw silk blouse or any other contrasting blouse can go well with this saree.
8. Ilkal Cotton Saree:
This is a typical Ilkal cotton saree with an art silk pallu weaved in the Tope Teni technique. The small checks in the saree enhance its look, while the traditional pallu speaks about the style of the saree. Pair it with any contrasting blouse or art silk blouse of red colour matching the border, and you are ready to rock this summer.
- Design: Green Check Cotton Ilkal Saree
- Fabric Used: Cotton and Art Silk
- Occasions to Wear: Daily Wear, Small Functions
- Body Shape Preferred: Suitable for All Body Shapes
- Blouse Suitable for this Saree: Any contrasting blouse will go well with this saree
9. Designer Black Ilkal Saree:
Get a divine look with this traditional zari-striped designer black Ilkal saree made of pure cotton and a zari betex border. The saree pallu contains red and gold alternate strippings, but the Saree is rich from the rich zari thick border, making the saree ideal for parties, social functions, and festivals. The fabric is light in weight, easy to carry, and slightly transparent, making it even more appealing. It comes with an 80com blouse piece attached to the saree, giving it a complete look.
- Design: Zari Striped Black Ilkal Handloom Cotton Saree
- Fabric Used: Cotton and Silk
- Occasions to Wear: Parties, Weddings, Social Functions
- Body Shape Preferred: Suitable for All Body Shapes
- Blouse Suitable for this Saree: Black Silk Blouse
See More: Gadwal Traditional Sarees
How to Style Ilkal Saree:
Here are a few pointers to help you rock in an Ilkal sari.
- The patterns of all Ilkal saris are more or less the same. So what will make you stand out in the crowd is the blouse?
- Design the blouse in a fashionable style which will add to the grace of the saree.
- A band gala with a designer back is a great option for the blouse of an Ilkal Sari.
- A nice long matching neckpiece with long jhumkas goes well with Ilkal Sarees.
- Carry a nice handbag to complete the look.
The traditional Ilkal sarees are the fame of Karnataka. Your trip to South India won’t be complete unless you buy a beautiful handwoven Ilkal Saree as a souvenir for your friends and relatives. Gift them an Ilkal Saree, and they will remember you forever. And forget to buy one for yourself too. But as these are handwoven, be sure to do a quality check before you spend your hard-earned money on them!!
