How to Wear Saree? The Art of Draping 6 Yards of Elegance

Before delving into draping a saree, it is essential to understand the types of fabrics and choose the one that suits your occasion and comfort.

1. Cotton: Ideal for daily wear and comfort, but may require starching and ironing.
2. Silk: Best for weddings and festive occasions, silk sarees are rich and elegant.
3. Georgette: Lightweight and easy to drape, Georgette sarees are perfect for parties or semi-formal gatherings.
4. Chiffon: With a slightly transparent texture, chiffon is perfect for a graceful look.
5. Crepe: Known for its crinkled texture, crepe is suitable for both casual and formal occasions.
6. Linen: Linen sarees are breathable and ideal for summer wear.

Choose a fabric that not only suits the occasion but is also comfortable for you to carry.

1. Saree
2. Petticoat
3. Blouse
4. Safety pins
5. Heels or Shoes
6. Accessories (Earrings, Bangles, etc.)

Before draping the saree, it is essential to wear a fitted blouse and a petticoat. The petticoat should be tied firmly at the waist as it will hold the saree in place. Choose a petticoat color that matches or complements the saree. It’s also a good time to put on your heels or shoes, as this will help in draping the saree at the right length.

Take one end of the saree and make about 5-7 neat pleats, each about 5-6 inches wide. Tuck these pleats into the petticoat slightly to the right of your navel, ensuring that the saree falls just an inch short of the floor.

Now, gently wrap the saree around your waist from right to left. As you reach the navel again, ensure that the lower border of the saree is even throughout and at the same height as in the previous step. Use a safety pin if needed.

Hold the saree at the part that opens from the left and start making pleats. The pleats should be equal in width (about 4 inches). Make about 6-8 pleats or as needed depending on the saree fabric and your preference.

Tuck these pleats into the petticoat just below the navel. Make sure that they are turned towards the left. You can use a safety pin to secure them at your waist or through all the pleats to keep them in place.

The remaining fabric will be used to create the pallu. Bring it around your back to the front from the left side. Now, put this section over your left shoulder, letting it fall behind. The length of the pallu can vary – it can be short or long, depending on the style you prefer.

You can either pleat the pallu or let it fall free. For pleating, make neat pleats of the section that comes over your shoulder and pin it onto your left shoulder. For a free-fall look, just adjust the pallu to have one corner fall behind your back while the rest drapes naturally over your left arm.

Go through the drape, ensuring everything is even and secure. Use safety pins wherever necessary but ensure not to overdo it as it might damage the fabric.

No saree look is complete without accessories. Wear matching jewelry, bangles, and if desired, add a waistband (Kamarband). Don’t forget the Bindi – it adds grace to your forehead.

Lastly, practice walking in your saree. Take small steps and move with grace. Do not think that you will fall, you won’t, confidence is the key!

1. Bengali Style: Instead of regular pleats, make box pleats and drape the pallu over the left shoulder. Bring the pallu back to the right shoulder and secure with a brooch.
2. Gujarati Style: Similar to the traditional style, but bring the pallu from the back over your right shoulder, and spread it across your chest.
3. Lehenga Style: Make multiple pleats across the waist to give the saree the appearance of a lehenga or full skirt.
4. Pant Style: Wear fitted pants instead of a petticoat and drape the saree with narrow pleats, giving it a modern fusion look.

After learning how to wear saree, it is equally important to learn how to maintain a saree.

1. Storage: Always store sarees folded in a cool, dry place. Use soft muslin cloth to wrap silk sarees.
2. Washing: Always check the washing instructions. Hand-wash delicate fabrics with mild detergent. For silk sarees, dry cleaning is advisable.
3. Ironing: Always iron sarees at low heat and ideally through a thin cloth to avoid damage.

Draping a saree is an art that requires patience and practice. As you master this, you can experiment with different styles of drapes and accessories. A saree is not just a garment; it’s an expression of your personality and a tribute to a rich cultural heritage.

So go ahead and drape yourself in the elegance that is a saree. With each pleat and drape, you’ll be weaving in poise and grace. Embrace the charm, as the world takes a pause to admire your timeless beauty.

Also, check out our blog on how to wear dupatta on lehenga. Happy draping!