Sarita Rajendran's mission to empower Sri Lankan Women on personal style and fashion

A lifelong devotee of fashion, Sarita Rajendran used the quiet of the pandemic as a chance to turn passion into purpose, qualifying as a certified stylist and deepening her understanding of the art and science behind style. The experience was eye-opening—it revealed just how much more there is to styling beyond surface-level aesthetics. This journey sparked the idea for Wardrobe Warrior, a book that had been long in the making, designed to empower Sri Lankan women with practical tools to build a wardrobe that reflects their individuality, lifestyle, and budget.

Written in both English and Sinhala, Wardrobe Warrior fills a long-standing gap in fashion education in Sri Lanka. It caters to a diverse audience—from women who can afford high-end wardrobes but lack guidance, to those with limited means who still deserve to feel stylish and confident. The book offers practical advice on dressing for different life stages and occasions, from pregnancy to peri -menopause, and emphasizes working with, not against, South Asian body types and cultural norms.

Proceeds from the book support the training of new Dumbara weaving artisans—a cause close to the author’s heart. Wardrobe Warrior is more than a style guide; it's a celebration of self-expression, culture, and community.

What inspired you to write Wardrobe Warrior, and how long has the idea been in the making?
I have always been an ardent follower of fashion. During the pandemic, I took the opportunity to deepen my understanding of the subject and qualified as a stylist. Through this course of study, I discovered just how much there is to the art of styling. It made me realise that a book on this topic—available in both English and Sinhala—would be a valuable resource, especially for the women of our country. I also contribute some funding for thread used by the Dumbara weavers when they train new artisans, most of the proceeds of these books will go towards this exercise.

2. You’ve long been a fixture on Colombo’s best-dressed lists. How does this book reflect your personal journey with fashion?
The older you get, you become more comfortable in your skin , your shape , dress size etc.  I think I have addressed issues that women face from what to wear to your workplace , pregnancy as well as Peri-menopause .

It is essential to understand all these elements, and as south Asians, our bodies are made very differently to the west, therefore it is essential to understand elements that define our culture  and work around them instead of against it.

3. What do you hope readers will take away from Wardrobe Warrior—is it more about confidence, style, or self-expression?
There is a large Sinhalese speaking population in the country who are able to afford a beautifully curated wardrobe , but may not necessarily know how to curate one. Likewise there are those who cannot afford to do the same. I have addressed how to budget accordingly and written guidelines as how you can curate a wardrobe.

4. Can you tell us about the process of curating the content for the book—how did you decide what style advice to include?
After I qualified as a certified stylist I learned a lot that I didn't know about wardrobe curation. I also feel that a large part of the population in Sri Lanka has access to beautiful clothes at very reasonable prices unlike 25 years ago. But personal style is lacking and that is one of the reasons I decided to go ahead with this publication in Sinhalese as well. It took me almost 2 years to compile the English publication.

5. In a world dominated by fast fashion and trends, how does Wardrobe Warrior encourage people to build a timeless, authentic wardrobe?
You have to read the book to find out. I have an entire section on how to budget your wardrobe. However as a stylist it is much easier when you have more affordable retail outlets to choose from. In particular for those who don't have a big budget to curate a wardrobe but need to!

6. You’re known for your fearless fashion choices. Does the book explore the idea of taking risks with personal style?
It gives a clear guide to developing personal style accordingly. Again, one has to read the book. I have written a few chapters on this subject .

7. Was there a specific moment or experience in your career that made you realize people needed guidance with their fashion identity?
Yes, many, many times. Dressing according to climate, occasion , pairing colours , accessories and choosing the correct shoes!!