Sarees & How to wear Saree
'Six yards of fascination' goes a popular description of the 'Saree'. This
6 Yards long piece of cloth is tucked in and draped around a petticoat tied
at the waist, pleated and passed over the wearer's shoulder. It is normally
worn with a fitted bodice called the choli, leaving the midriff bare. Depending
on the wearer's mood, the 'saree' can be extremely seductive, dignified or circumspect.
Almost each region in India has its individual way of draping the 'saree'. Some
daring ladies have been known to wear it with backless cholis. 'Sarees' come in a wide variety of fabrics- silks, cottons, chiffons, georgettes
and crepes, the list could go on and on.
No exotic fancy dress, but a garment that is worn daily by women through
the length and breadth of India, 6 Yards of continuous fabric. Unstitched.
Yet a perfect fit for every figure. And not as complicated to wear as you
might suppose.
- At least part of the secret of the sari are the "underneath" garments
- a waist -to- floor length petticoat, tied tightly at the waist by a drawstring.
(No elastic, please!) And a tight fitting blouse that ends just below the
bust - short sleeved or sleeveless, with a variety of necklines.
- Starting at the navel, tuck the plain end of the sari into the petticoat
for one complete turn from right to left. Make sure that the lower end of
the sari touches the floor.
- Beginning from the tucked-in end start making pleats in the sari, about
5 inches deep. Make about 7 to 10 pleats and hold them up together so that
they fall straight and even
- Tuck the pleats into the waist slightly to the left of the navel, and
make sure that they are turned towards the left.
- Drape the remaining fabric around yourself once more left to right, and
bring it up under the right arm and over the left shoulder so that it falls
to about the level of the knees
- The end portion thus draped is the pallav, and can be prevented from
slipping off by fixing it at the shoulder to the blouse with a small safety
pin.
