How to Wear a Sari

From LoveToKnow Womens-Fashion

If you've ever been intrigued by traditional Indian attire, you might be interested in learning how to wear a sari.

Learn how to drape this elegant garment.

What is a Sari

If you've ever set foot inside an Indian clothing store or even just watched a Bollywood film, you've probably seen a sari. This garment is traditionally worn by women in India. It is composed of a rectangular piece of cloth that is usually five to seven meters in length. It is also unstitched and uncut. The material is available in a wide range of lengths, designs and colors. Saris are not only beautiful, they're also almost universally flattering. No matter what a woman's body shape, she'll be able to wear a sari.

In addition to all of the aesthetic choices, there is also the type of material to consider. Saris are available in a number of different types of fabric, including the following:

  • Georgette
  • Crepe
  • Cotton
  • Silk
  • Faux georgette
  • Silk
  • Chiffon
  • Net
  • Satin
  • Art silk

Clearly, the varieties are enough to boggle the minds of people who aren't familiar with this elegant garment – and even those who are! Deciding what style you're interested in is only half the battle, though. First you must understand how to wear a sari.

How to Wear a Sari
Many saris are dressy and glamorous.

There are several different methods of draping a sari, but the most common is known as the Nivi style. The Nivi draping method incorporates three pieces: the sari itself, a petticoat (usually around two and a half meters) and a blouse (nearly one meter). Follow these steps to achieve the classic look:

  1. Put on the waist-to-ankle length petticoat (this should be tied securely at the waist) and the blouse (which is usually quite snug).
  2. Tuck one end of the sari into the petticoat at the waist and make one complete turn, moving from right to left and tucking it in around the sides and back. The lower end of the sari should be touching the floor.
  3. Starting from the end that is tucked in, begin making pleats in the sari (each pleat should be about five inches wide).
  4. After you have made between seven and ten pleats, hold them securely together to ensure that they fall evenly to the floor.
  5. Tuck the pleats securely into the waist of the petticoat, just slightly to the left of your navel. Take care to turn the collection of pleats slightly to the left, too.
  6. Gather the remaining material and repeat the second step, making one complete term around the waist and tucking the material in once again. Stop when you reach the area where the pleated material has been tucked in.
  7. Finally, fold the remaining material in half so that its width is slightly smaller and carry it over the left shoulder. This portion that is draped is called the pallu. Secure the pallu with a small safety pin to prevent it from slipping.

Other Ways to Wear a Sari

As mentioned, the Nivi style is just one of many methods of draping a sari. Depending on which part of India they live in, women may drape their saris differently from region to region. Some styles are similar to others. For example, women in Gujarat drape their saris similarly to the Nivi style, but the pallu falls over the right shoulder instead of the left, and it is also draped from back to front instead of front to back.

There are a number of strikingly different ways to drape a sari, though, that don't resemble the Nivi method at all. For example, the Kodagu style, worn by women from Karnataka, finds the pleats created in the rear. The loose fabric is then draped from the back to the front over the right shoulder and pinned to the remaining part of the sari. Among the many other draping methods are the Maharashtrian, Dravidian, Madisaara, Gond, Mundum Neryathum and tribal styles, among others.

Where to Purchase

If you're in the market for a sari, your best bet is to pay a visit to an Indian clothing store instead of ordering straight from the Internet. You'll get a feel for the numerous types of fabrics and you'll gain an even greater appreciation for the beauty of this classic garment. You might find someone who will custom design the sari for you. For more inspiration, browse these online boutiques, all of which have great reputations as leaders in the market:

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