If you want a suit (Indian Gown/Dress) and live in the Bay Area (Southern), Maharani is the only place you should go. No doubt. Aside from the shops in Berkeley, Maharani is the only place that has a selection of great and trendy wear. You Indians know how fast the fashion trend comes and goes in our culture (faster than seasons) and Maharani has 'em all.
Jewelery and Bangles are a bit outdated and collecting dust, but if you mix and match, they work!! I love Bangles and I will pick that over her Jewelery anytime.
However, it is a bit on the pricey side. Even though Auntie is willing to negotiate the price with you, you can probably get the same fit in India for half (or even less) its selling price at Maharani's. No wonder everyone goes to India to shop or makes sure they request outfits from their family/friends either living in India or making a trip down there. With our culture, comes Beauty. However, some of my beauty gene went to my sisters when it comes to Indian Jewelery wear (bindi - I won't wear too much of...even after I get married, as you are suppose to. Someone once told me "simplicity works"). Decking out in jewelery just doesn't work on my end, yet...I'd rather be the side girl than standing out (middle girl)...Link:
http://desigirlsclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/Exquisite-Indian-Bridal-Jewelry-Collection.jpg
Also, the organization of the outfits can be better sorted. Maharani has wonderful and trendy displays of its most hottest suits in the boutique. However, some of its wonderful suits are hidden in the backroom, clustered and not sorted - in plastic bags. You have to dig deep to find the "IT" suit.
Auntie offers "free" tailoring of the suits, but I wouldn't recommend it. I like my outfits tight!!! And I try to make it clear to her w/o sounding like a slut. LOL. But that never happens. Also, she messed up on tailoring once before and made my outfit into an "A" shape, which I got fixed from another tailor - go to Ravi in Milpitas for tailoring - best tailor in the Southern Bay Area, in my opinion.
Overall, if you don't want to travel to Berkeley and want trendy and the most hottest fits, go to Maharani. Even though Maharani can get a little pricey at times, it is DEFINATELY cheaper than the shops in Berkeley. read more