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Blouse Latkan Design Ideas for Back, Dori and Sleeves

A blouse latkan design is the small detail that swings as you walk and makes people look twice. Latkans are the hanging ends tied to a dori, a sleeve or a back neck, and they can be made of fabric, beads, pearls, thread tassels or tiny bells.

The best part is that latkans are cheap and easy to change. You can make them at home from leftover blouse fabric, or buy ready ones in any market. A simple blouse with a fresh pair of latkans looks like a new outfit.

Here are 15 ideas, from handmade fabric pieces to fancy lehenga drops. Pair them with a style from our dori blouse design page or a shape from our blouse back design gallery.

Handmade Fabric Latkan Design for Blouse

Fabric latkans are made from the same cloth as the blouse or the saree border. They look neat, match perfectly and cost almost nothing.

Orange silk blouse back with round neck and fabric cone latkans on the dori
  • Silk
  • Festive

Small cone latkans sewn from blouse fabric look tidy and matched. This fabric latkan blouse dori design is the easiest to make at home.

Tailor note: Make two fabric cones about 2 inches long, stuff lightly, and finish the base with a gold bead.

Pink cotton blouse back keyhole with handmade fabric flower latkans
  • Cotton
  • Casual

Tiny fabric flowers at the dori ends feel sweet and young. A pretty idea for a pink or white printed cotton saree.

Tailor note: Fold fabric circles into small rosettes about 1.5 inches wide; stitch to the dori ends with a pearl centre.

Green silk blouse with latkans made from leftover Paithani border strips
  • Paithani silk
  • Puja

Here the latkans are cut from the saree's own border, so they match the pallu exactly. This fabric dori new blouse latkan design wastes nothing.

Tailor note: Cut two border strips about 3 inches long, fold into tubes, and finish the ends with gold beads.

Pearl and Bead Latkan Blouse Design

Beads and pearls add a little shine and weight, so the dori hangs straight. They suit silk, organza and wedding blouses.

Ivory organza blouse with deep U back and pearl cluster latkans
  • Organza
  • Engagement

Soft pearl clusters at the dori ends feel bridal and graceful. Lovely with a pastel organza or ivory tissue saree.

Tailor note: Deep U about 10 inches; padding; pearl cluster latkans about 2 inches; dori loops on both sides.

Black velvet blouse V back with crystal bead drop latkans
  • Velvet
  • Winter party

Crystal drops on black velvet sparkle under evening lights. A fancy blouse latkan design for winter weddings and parties.

Tailor note: V back about 9 inches; use three crystal drops on each dori end; line velvet with cotton.

Mustard khadi blouse back with boat neck and wooden bead latkans
  • Khadi
  • Day wear

Wooden beads suit handloom and khadi much better than shiny ones. A quiet, earthy latkan design blouse for day wear.

Tailor note: Boat back with a 3 inch slit; cotton dori ending in three wooden beads on each side.

Tassel Blouse Back Design

Thread tassels are soft and playful. This blouse tassels design style works for cotton, silk and Navratri outfits.

Red silk blouse back with square neck and long silk thread tassels
  • Raw silk
  • Wedding guest

Long silk thread tassels look rich against a plain square back. A good choice for a red or maroon wedding guest saree.

Tailor note: Square back about 8 inches; tassels about 3 inches in silk thread with gold caps.

Black cotton blouse back with multicolour pom-pom and tassel latkans for Navratri
  • Cotton
  • Navratri

Bright pom-poms and tassels make garba nights fun. Pair with a mirror work or bandhani saree or chaniya.

Tailor note: Sew a row of small multicolour pom-poms along the back hem; tie tassel dori at the neck.

Lilac silk blouse back with silver tassel latkans on the back dori
  • Art silk
  • Sangeet

Silver thread tassels on lilac silk feel light and modern. Great for a cocktail or a sangeet with a grey or lilac saree.

Tailor note: U back about 9 inches; silver zari tassels about 2.5 inches; light padding inside.

Blouse Sleeves Latkan Design and Dori Latkans

A blouse hand latkan design hangs from the sleeve hem or a sleeve slit. Pair it with a matching back dori for a complete look.

Teal silk blouse sleeve with side slit tied by a beaded latkan dori
  • Pure silk
  • Festive

A small slit on the elbow sleeve tied with a beaded dori is a new blouse latkan design that feels fresh. Lovely with a teal Kanjivaram.

Tailor note: Cut a 3 inch slit on the outer sleeve; add two loops and a thin dori with bead latkans.

Yellow cotton blouse sleeve with small gota latkans along the hem
  • Cotton
  • Haldi

Tiny gota latkans hanging from the sleeve hem dance with every move. Perfect for haldi with a yellow or orange saree.

Tailor note: Stitch five small gota latkans along the sleeve hem; keep sleeve length about 8 inches.

Navy silk blouse with two dori ties across an open back and pearl latkans
  • Silk
  • Party

Two dori ties across an open back give support and style. This blouse dori latkan design suits silk and party sarees alike.

Tailor note: Two dori ties about 3 inches apart; hooks at lower band; padding for support; pearl latkans.

Ghungroo Latkans and Fancy Blouse Latkan Design for Lehenga

Bell and heavy latkans are made for festive nights and lehengas. They add sound and sparkle, so keep the rest of the back simple.

Maroon cotton silk blouse back with silver ghungroo latkans on the dori
  • Cotton silk
  • Navratri

Silver ghungroo bells chime softly as you move. A traditional blouse back latkan design for Navratri and folk events.

Tailor note: Round back about 8 inches; ghungroo bunches on each dori end; secure bells with double thread.

Pink raw silk lehenga blouse back with kundan and pearl latkans
  • Raw silk
  • Lehenga

Kundan and pearl latkans on a lehenga blouse look bridal without being heavy. Choose pastels for day functions.

Tailor note: Deep U with padding; kundan latkans about 3 inches; dori in pink silk with loops for adjusting.

Mint net lehenga blouse back with gold metal shell latkans and sequin border
  • Net
  • Lehenga

Gold metal shell latkans add a fancy touch to a mint net lehenga blouse. Great for a sangeet or reception.

Tailor note: Line the net with cotton; sequin border on the back neck; gold shell latkans on a thin dori.

How to Make a Handmade Latkan at Home

  1. Cut a strip of blouse fabric about 2 inches wide and 4 inches long.
  2. Fold it in half, stitch the long side and turn it right side out to make a small tube.
  3. Stuff it lightly with cotton for a round shape, or leave it flat for a strip latkan.
  4. Gather the top and stitch it to the dori end.
  5. Finish the bottom with a bead, a pearl or a small tassel.

That is the simplest handmade fabric latkan design for blouse. Make a few in different colours and change them to match each saree.

Choosing the Right Latkan for Your Blouse

BlouseBest latkan
Cotton, daily wearFabric, wooden bead or thread tassel
Silk sareeSilk tassel, gold bead or border strip
Party, velvetCrystal drops or silver tassels
NavratriGhungroo, pom-pom or mirror latkans
Lehenga, bridalKundan, pearl or gold metal latkans

Tip: keep latkans light on deep backs, as heavy ones can pull the neckline down. For bow styles, browse our bow blouse design page.

Questions women ask

Where should a blouse back latkan design sit?

Most latkans hang from a dori tied at the neck or at the base of the back opening. Keep them about 2 to 4 inches long so they do not get caught in the saree pallu.

Can I add latkans to an old blouse?

Yes. Ask your tailor to add two small fabric loops at the back neck and thread a new dori through them. Then attach any latkans you like.

What is a fancy blouse latkan design for a wedding?

Kundan, pearl cluster or crystal drop latkans look fancy and suit silk, velvet and lehenga blouses. Keep the back design simple so the latkans stand out.

Can I make a latkan less blouse design look special?

Yes. If you prefer no latkans, use a neat bow, decorative hooks or a keyhole with piping. Our keyhole cutout blouse design page has many ideas.

How do I wash a blouse with latkans?

Remove the dori with latkans before washing if you can. Otherwise, hand wash gently and wrap the latkans in a soft cloth so beads and bells do not snag.

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