How to Wear a Saree is a common topic which is searched by every girl entering into the beautiful world of sarees. It is a traditional garment that is worn by the women or young girls of India.
The saree can be easily wrapped by following the given seven easy steps:
- Tucking the non-pallu portion in the petticoat.
- Making the pleats of the saree.
- Tucking the pleats in the petticoat.
- Deciding the style of the pallu.
- Making the floated pallu.
- Making the pleated pallu.
- Pinning the pallu on the shoulder.
It is a rectangular cloth made up of different materials like silk, cotton or mixture fabrics and goes up to about 8 meters in length. It is usually used with a matching petticoat and blouse.
What is a Blouse?
The blouse is a piece of garment that is normally used when a woman or a girl is wearing a saree. It is a loose-fitting garment that is used in the upper portion of the body by the women, when they are wearing a saree.
What is Petticoat?
The petticoat is a piece of garment or cloth that is normally used by the Indian girls or women when they are wearing the traditional saree. The petticoat is used in the lower portion of the body by the women.
After wearing the petticoat, the saree is wrapped over it. The petticoat is always used in the same color as the combination of the color of the saree.
How to Wear a Saree in 7 Simple Steps?
It should always be kept in the mind by the saree user that they are wearing a petticoat of the color which matches the color of the saree and also a blouse with the same color.
If you are planning to wear high heels, then it is advised that the heels should be worn before wrapping the saree to get the ideal length and also to prevent you from tripping over the pleats of the saree.
1. Tucking the non-pallu portion in the petticoat
The first step is to begin from the plane end, which is the nonpallu, and then tuck it in the front portion of the petticoat, which is just near the belly button.
After tucking the pallu in the front, the person should begin to swirl the saree from the left-hand side and then complete one round, till you reach the belly again.
2. Making the pleats of the saree
The second step in how to wear a saree is to yank the saree to the front and then begin forming the pleats, which should be roughly about the size of the finger stretch.
For reference, the size of the forefinger to the thumb can be taken as a reference.
3. Tucking the pleats in the petticoat
Step 3 is making a complete set of pleats. Normally, the number of pleats in a saree is somewhere between 5 to 8, depending on the material from which the saree is made.
The pleats are then tucked into the petticoat and strengthened using safety pins towards the left side of the waist. This will make the saree stable and in constant contact with the petticoat.
4. Deciding the style of the pallu
The fourth step in how to wear a saree is to adjust the pallu of the saree according to the need of the saree user.
You can either let the pallu floating or short in length, or even pleat it together with the saree.
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5. Making the floated pallu
The fifth step is making the floating pallu of the saree. For this, you need to bring the pallu towards the left side of the shoulder. This has to be done from under the right arm and then pin on the left shoulder.
Then, the pallu should behold either at the forearm level or can be left until the end, depending on the choice of the saree user.
6. Making the pleated pallu
The sixth step is making the pleated pallu.
For this, you have to bring the pallu from under the right arm and then start forming vertical pleats, which are about 5 to 6 inches with the border, if it is present, and being the first pleat.
The process is continued along with the breadth of the saree.
7. Pinning the pallu on the shoulder
The last step which completes the guide for how to wear a saree is pining the pallu near the left side of the shoulder, but ensuring that it is at least at a distance of one meter to the left.
The above-explained 7 steps are the most common steps of wearing a saree.
These steps from the basics of wearing a saree and can be altered according to the different styles of sarees that are being used.
Saree in the Different States of India
The different states and regions of India have their style and form of wearing a saree.
The material from which the saree is made also differs from place to place according to the local temperature and climate throughout the year.
Given below are some of the different styles of the wrapping a saree in India:
1. Maharashtra
In the state of Maharashtra, a saree which is longer than the common 5-meter saree is used. The length of this saree is around 26 feet or eight meters.
One side of the saree is drawn up between the legs and then tucked in the behind portion of the waist.
The other portion of the saree is wrapped in the form of a pallu over the bosom. The saree, when finally, ready, looks like a divided saree which allows greater freedom of movement for the women.
2. Bengal
In the state of Bengal, a saree that does not have any pleats is worn by women or girls. This particular saree is draped around the waist by the women and then finally brought back to the right side.
The pallu of the saree is then thrown over the left shoulder and finally attached using a pin with a blouse for making the saree sturdy.
The pallu of the saree is then brought up from below the right arm and then once again is cast over the left shoulder with the help of another pin.
3. Gujarat
In the state of Gujarat, the process of wrapping a saree is commonly known as by the name of seedha pallu. This particular type of wearing the saree is also found in other states like Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar of India.
In this particular style, the pleats of the saree are tucked so that they can be opened in the right direction, which is different from the normal style where they open to the left.
The pallu of the saree is then taken to the backside and is finally brought over the right shoulder, where it is attached with the pin to the blouse.
Finally, the pallu of the saree is spread across the chest and also to the left and is finally stuck in the petticoat at the back, for making it stable and sturdy.
4. Tamil Nadu
In the state of Tamil Nadu, the saree which is used is 8 meters long. It is comparatively much longer than the normal saree, which is only 5 meters in length.
The saree is first wrapped around the waist by the women and then the pleats of the saree are then positioned along the left leg of the women.
The remaining portion of the saree is then taken above the left shoulder and then is draped once again around the waist.
The final step is the taking of the saree on the left-hand side to give it overall stability and elegance.
What are the Different Fabrics of Saree?
The sarees are available in various types of fabrics and materials. They have also been able to make their presence at the international fashion level and are not only limited to India.
Every state of India has its style and fabric for manufacturing the saree and all this has contributed to the wide spectrum of the sarees in India.
But it is always kept in the mind that the comfort factor should not be compromised whenever fashion style comes in.
The most common types of fabrics which are used in the manufacturing of saree are listed below:
1. Cotton
The most commonly used fabric for the manufacturing of saree in India is cotton. It is the primary choice for sarees because it is very comfortable.
This particular fabric is very versatile and can be worn daily without any color fade or harm to the cloth.
It can also be worn on special occasions, from office weddings to different festivals. These cotton sarees have become the primary love of Indian women.
2. Silk
The second-best material to be considered for manufacturing a saree is silk.
It is considered to be a vibrant and luxurious fabric. It gives a fine finish to the saree. The silk sarees are usually costlier than other types of saree.
Various types of silks are available in India like the Assam silk, Kanjivaram silk, and Sambalpuri silk. The silk sarees have been and will remain the favourites of the women for the occasions of weddings and parties in India.
3. Net
The sarees which are made up of net have also become a fashion trend in recent times.
The net sarees are not only limited to India but have also been able to capture international name and fame. Various celebrities wear net-based sarees in functions and public gatherings.
4. Synthetic Fabric
Synthetic fabric-based sarees are also being used nowadays by women. These sarees are like chiffon, rayon, or Crepe.
These types of sarees are especially preferred by those women or girls who are not regular saree wearer.
These are known for their smooth finish and lightweight. Thus, they are very easy for those who are rookies in the world of saree.
Conclusion
How to wear a saree is a very common topic that is searched by the women and girls of India?
Saree, which was initially considered to be only an Indian attire has now been able to capture the eyes of even the foreign nationals.
Various styles of wrapping the sarees are present, depending on the type of the state in which it is being used.
Apart from this, various fabrics like net synthetic fabric, silk, & cotton are available, which makes the spectrum of the saree very wide. It is considered to be the primary dress of Indian housewives and women.
People Also Ask (FAQs)
What should one wear under a transparent saree?
If a woman wants to wear a saree which is made up of a transparent material, then it is always advised that she should wear a matching petticoat and a blouse below it to look decent and beautiful.
How can you look slim in a saree?
A person can look slim in a saree by draping the saree very tightly all around her in a proper manner and then finally let the pallu of the saree open or in falling condition, which will make it look even more beautiful.
How can I cover my belly while wearing a saree?
The belly can be covered while wearing a saree by wearing a petticoat which is a little longer and tucking in the pleats of the saree just in front of the belly button, which will cover it.
What kinds of footwear goes well with the saree?
Depending upon the type of saree which one is wearing, the matching footwear like wedges and heels can be used. But it should always be kept in the mind that the height of the heels used should be to an extent with which the user is comfortable and can maintain her balance.