Many are not yet comfortable using the sari as office wear.

Akankasha Sharma, 25, a media professional, says the sari has two drawbacks - firstly it is difficult to wear and secondly it's not practical, especially if one is using public transport.

'I find it very difficult to manage the sari because I'm not used to wearing one every day. Jeans and shirts or even the salwar-kurta are fine but the sari is a big no, no for me,' she says. According to Sharma, these days people find it amusing if you wear a sari to office without an occasion.

But well-known and extremely successful corporate leaders like Chanda Kochar, Naina Lal Kidwai and Kalpana Morparia are often seen in saris and are an inspiration for young officegoing women.

So there are those who are keen to bring sari culture back to office.

'Saris look beautiful. My closet is full of them. Earlier, I used to feel awkward wearing a sari at office - you get that unwanted attention and then you have to answer a hundred questions. Then I thought this is not the right attitude. So I started wearing it regularly,' said Deepti Pranav, a banker.

Puneet Nanda too feels that it's high time people changed their mindset. 'It is just in their minds that the sari is difficult to carry at the workplace,' he said.

The youngsters can also emulate screen divas like Kareena Kapoor, Priyanka Chopra and Katrina Kaif who are often seen looking sensuous and graceful in georgettes, chiffons and net saris.

In fact, Priyanka's sex appeal in the hit song 'Desi girl' was enhanced by a Manish Malhotra-designed sari.

Among well-known faces from the older generation, actresses Kirron Kher and Sharmila Tagore, singer Shubha Mugdal, Congress president Sonia Gandhi and Delhi Chief Minister Shiela Dixit wear beautiful traditional saris with aplomb.

(Shilpa Raina can be contacted at shilpa.r@ians.in)