South Asian culture is a culture that is very particular about notions of modesty. Specifically covering the breasts. This isn't unique to our culture, as most modern conceptions of what's appropriate to show and what's not usually exclude the breasts, with the exception of nudist beaches in some countries, and laws allowing topless sunbathing. Outside of these contexts, it is unthought by many people that the body can be non-sexual/ non-offensive. How much of this is tied up in the history of violence against women, and this being the norm out of a need to protect women and keep them safe rather than any intrinsic need to cover up?

When we talk about traditional South Asian attire, particularly the saree, we think of it as generally three pieces. The blouse, petticoat, and, of course, the saree itself. But, can we really call this way of wearing a saree traditionally South Asian when the two former pieces were introduced by white colonists? In trying to get closer to tradition, it would be more accurate to remove the modern blouse and petticoat - two items that were introduced after British colonial rule. And this raises the question: in returning to tradition, how far is too far before it cannot co-exist with modernity?

Most indigenous societies were far more open about their bodies than we are now

Before this period, it wasn't uncommon for the saree to be worn topless. Covering the breasts was more a marker of caste (according to the Jati caste system) that it was about propriety in some parts of India. The Mughals brought changes to this, normalising the covering of the head and breasts for women, but the modern saree blouse was still far behind.

I LOVE seeing people wearing sarees now with 'unconventional' blouses - whether that be a tube top, bralette, corset, dress-shirt. All of these contemporary takes on wearing a saree are, strangely, getting closer to an uncolonised version of it. That's a big claim, and there's something to be said about western influence in these changes. But in a way it's full circle because in losing the colonial blouse and becoming more open to showing skin and scandalising aunties, we're getting closer to wearing the saree as it was originally intended.

Wearing a saree entirely topless feels like a big step, and of course no one should be forced to wear something in a way that feels uncomfortable to them. The increasing popularity of wearing is this way is so cool to see, and theres so many other ways to wear a saree "untraditionally" that are fun to try. After all, the saree is 9 yards of beautiful fabric to play around with. If we can accept that there is no right way to drape it, then we can move towards accepting versions of draping it that allow you to omit the blouse.