How to Drape a Saree


n order to confidently carry a saree like second skin, it is important to know how to wear a saree correctly. A saree is usually paired with a short bodice and an underskirt. The underskirt is fitted thoroughly around the waist by means of a drawstring and it spans till the ankle. The blouse is essentially a fitted bodice that imparts structure to the upper half of your body and ends at your midriff. The patterns and styles of the blouse are subjective, resulting in a wide spectrum of saree-blouse combinations to try.

Step 1:

How to Wear a Saree - Step 1
Once you are through with wearing a blouse and the underskirt is when you are to get around to the actual saree draping steps. Stand with your legs slightly apart. One end of the saree is tucked into the skirt. Drape a full round of the fabric around the skirt with space enough for comfortable movement of legs.

Step 2:

How to Wear a Saree - Step 2
Now bunch up the middle part of the fabric such that there is sufficient length of material to form the central pleats.

Step 3:

How to Wear a Saree - Step 3
Seek out the other end, and drape it over your blouse and shoulder. From the shoulder to the end, it should be least 90 cm in length, its border touching your fingertips when you stand straight. Secure this portion with a safety pin on the shoulder for now and you can get to adding the finishing touch to it in the end.

Step 4:

How to Wear a Saree - Step 4
Now that we are through with about half of the saree draping steps, here is the most difficult part - pleating. The portion of the saree between the two ends is supposed to be pleated and tucked into the waist.

Step 5:

How to Wear a Saree - Step 5
Make about five to six pleats with each of them approximately the span of your palm - we’d say about five inches, give or take. Five-six pleats spanning your thumb to index will give you a comfortable drape while regular, shorter pleats will give you a fuller gathered look. You can choose the latter if you have a very slim waist and would not mind the bulk of pleats tucked into it.

Step 6:

How to Wear a Saree - Step 6
The next task in the saree draping steps is to collect the pleats together in an equal bunch and tuck them facing left, a little to the left of your navel. If required, secure the pleats with a safety pin in such a way that the pin can be hidden by the pallu.

Step 7:

How to Wear a Saree - Step 7
Now comes the last part of the tutorial on how to wear a saree - fixing the the pallav or pallu that you had previously pineed onto your shoulder. The pallu is the part of the saree that drapes in a slant over your bust and midriff, and falls long over your shoulder and behind. Remove the safety pin on your shoulder and adjust the pallu such that the rest of the saree is properly hugging your curves.The draping of the pallu differs through regions in India, and it is interesting to try out the various draping styles of the diverse cultures that the country has - you could choose to simply wear it loosely draped over the shoulder or pleat it up for a prim and proper look or better still, wear it backwards in Gujarati style to show off all the gorgeous prints on it.
For daily wear, we would recommend that you pleat up your pallu and secure with a safety pin and just like that, you don’t just know how to wear a saree but are also ready to enjoy your six yards of elegant allure.
A saree is a fabric that has draped women of every class in India. It has braved the evolution of fashion across so many centuries and continues to remain relevant even today. In fact, lately there has been renewed interest in the saree and it has become the go-to garment for women seeking looks that are royal, and sophisticated. With the evolution of the Indian fashion sensibilities and the influence of various draping styles, the quintessential saree has also undergone a sea of transformations. The saree now presents itself in customised, fashionable avatars like the dhoti drape and the retro drape which are being embraced by the fashion forward youngsters from all over the country.
So whether you are attracted to a traditional saree in the conventional drape, or are thinking about draping it with a twist, go and give it a try. We promise you that you will be hooked to the six yards of beautiful fabric that instill in you a sense of Indianness and confidence that no other outfit can! Time to get draping!

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