Saree - Six Yards of Sheer Elegance

A Saree is a long piece of cloth of sheer elegance and grace. The 6 yard piece is the most popula...

Most common style of wearing a saree

A Saree is the simplest and the most elegant attire worn by women in India. The practicality, sim...

Different Ways to Drape a Sari

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Different Ways to Drape a Sari


SIX YARDS of sheer grace and elegance is what the sari is all about. A Sari is one of the most elegant attires a woman can adorn. It is essentially an un-stitched long piece of fabric which needs to be draped in a particular way to achieve the fully dressed effect. Draping a sari is an art. The saree is worn in in different ways in different states of India. However, the most common method is wrapping the cloth around the waist, making pleats in the front and draping the final length around the shoulder. The remaining fabric that is draped over her blouse and shoulder, falling behind her is called the pallu.

Before you Start

Two essential parts of attire, that go along with the Saree, need to be chosen carefully to compliment the Saree. These are:


A petticoat which is a waist-to-floor garment, tied tightly at the waist by a drawstring. The petticoat color should match the base sari color as closely as possible. No part of the petticoat, of course, is visible outside the Saree, after having worn it.

A blouse which needs to be tight-fitting and whose color needs to be chosen keeping the look of the saree in mind, can be short sleeved or sleeveless, with a variety of necklines. The blouse ends just below the bust.

Wearing a Sari the Traditional Way

* Step 1. Around your body. Starting at the navel, tuck the plain end of the saree into the petticoat and continue tucking till you take a complete turn from right to left. Adjust the lower end of the saree to the height required. Ideally wear your footwear so that you drape the saree to the right length.

* Step 2. Measuring the pallu. Hold the top edge of the saree where the pallu is and bring it around your hips to the front and over your left shoulder, thus measuring the length of the pallav or pallu. The pallav should hang down the back to the knee. You may pin your pallu to your sari blouse provisionally.

* Step 3. Making pleats. Create pleats with the saree. Make about 7 to 10 pleats and hold them up together so that they fall straight and even. Tuck the pleats into the waist petticoat slightly to the left of the navel, taking care to see that the pleats are turned towards the left.

* Step 4. The pallu. The remaining portion of the saree must be turned once around the body and then draped over the left shoulder. Arrange the pleats on this part of the saree and then pin them up on the left shoulder to prevent the pallu from falling off.

This is the most common method to wear a saree. With matching bindi and jewellery you feel like a complete Indian woman.

Different Ways of Wearing a Sari

Different regions of India have their own distinct forms of draping a Saree. Some of these are outlined below:

Gujarati way: This version of draping, ccommonly known as the seedha pallu way, is also found in parts of Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Bihar. Instead of opening to the left, the pleats are tucked so that they open to the right. Then, the pallu is taken to the back and brought over the right shoulder. It is then spread across the chest, and the left edge is tucked in the petticoat at the back.

Maharashtra method: Instead of the usual five-and-a-half meters, the sari in this version measures eight meters. One portion of the sari is drawn up between the legs and tucked in behind at the waist, while another portion is draped as a pallu over the bosom. Thus it forms a kind of divided sari, allowing greater freedom of movement.

Tamilian version: Like the Maharashtra version, the sare in this version, too, measures eight meters. After wrapping around the waist, the pleats are positioned along the left leg. The rest of the sari is taken over the left shoulder, wrapped once again round the waist and tucked on the left side.

Bengali style: The saree is worn pleatless; it is wrapped around the waist, brought back to the right side and the pallu is thrown over the left shoulder. The pallu is then brought up under the right arm and once again cast over the left shoulder.

How to Drape a Saree in the Traditional Style Video

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Guide Comments

Ashley said about 1 year ago:

Now we know how to drape a saree perfectly and in so many different styles! ;) Thanks for such a wonderful article!

Mohinie said about 1 year ago:

I just love this way about teaching you tie saris in different ways.

zenib said about 1 year ago:

hi there, i would like to know how to drape a sari in the mermaid (fish) style..? thank you

Anusuya Gaitonde said about 1 year ago:

Hi, i love wearing sarees a lot but the problem is as i have gained weight, i would like to know how wil i drape a saree to look a bit slim.

candyrosita said about 1 year ago:

me encanto el video, te lo recomiendo

opalflower said 12 months ago:

Hello Anusuya! In my experience, the main factor in looking slim in a saree is the fabric: steer clear of stiffer fabrics like heavy silks and heavy cottons and pick something that will drape well. Also, avoid too light or too bright colors and shiny fabrics. Also, avoid bulky petticoats: I try to use some zipped, fitted summer skirt from my western wardrobe. After that, you need to make a few tries in front of the mirror and find your own most flattering drape (check sarisafari dot com and take inspiration from the countless photos on the internet). Remember that the main thing is not to add "inches", everything has to be fitted and neat, no bulking up anywhere; pull the sari to fit your figure and pin the pallu in place. Keep your perfect drape checked throughout the time of wearing your saree but remember to still act comfortable and natural. That's about all I can say and it does work for me! An unflattering sari drape can add 5-10 pounds, a flattering one can take 5-10 away. Hope this helps!

rab said 10 months ago:

Can I buy this for my mum for a present can u give me by next week Thank you

JAYANTA DAS said 8 months ago:

Assamese traditioal dress for women "MEKHELA-CHADOR-RIHA" can be introduced in this article. This "MEKHELA-CHADOR-RIHA" is a very very attractive women-ware and this dress makes a women really devine one.

akshata said 7 months ago:

Dear opalflower, Thanks a lot for your suggestion, i will definately try , and let you know about it. Akshata

dolly ajin said 7 months ago:

WEAR A SAREE IN NOT ONE BUT 125 DIFFERENT STYLES I have been helping people drape their saree for the past 6 years. I have all most lost the count of the numbers of people whose saree I have draped. I have draped many models, artists, film stars and brides all over the world. Yukta Mukhy, Diya Mirza, Tanushree Dutta, Kangana Ranuat, Lara Dutta are a few of my clients who enjoy my drapes over them. I can drape saree in almost all the styles like Gujrati, Hyderabadi, Bhopali ,Rajasthani, Lehanga, Bengali, Assameese and even the 9 yard saree. I have invented many style like hip-hop, tight fit, fish style half mumtaz and many more. I have very beautifully merged the Bengali pattern with the Rajasthani pattern. I personally come down to give away clients different style of drapes according to their requirements. I do a lot of photo shoots, fashion shows for the boutiques and the designers. Anyone keen in learning can contact me. My recent weddings :- Dhanseri Tea (Dhanuka Group) Kolkata (Bangkok) Dharam Pal Satya Pal Group (Rajnigandha) Delhi The Jindal Group Delhi Hira Group of Companies (Raipur) Sharda Group of Industries (Raipur) M.R. Group (Ranchi) M.R. Group (Surat) Ready Print International (Jaipur) Sao Group of Mines (Chaibasa) Ritu Mittal and many more Bhargava’s wedding (New Delhi Recently working for a Bengali Film "Dugga". I even take up classes every where in India as well as abroad. I can drape a saree in more than 125 styles depending on the clients figure and the material given to me. NAME- DOLLY JAIN BASED- KOLKATA SPECIALIST IN - SAREE DRAPING CONTACT- 09831812133 / 09433054822 MAIL ME AT sareedraper@yahoo.com sareedraper@gmail.com. Website : www.sareedraper.com THE SAREE The rectangular unstitched format of the sari allows for individual creativity.There are many different styles for wearing a saree. A woman experiences sense of luxury when she wears a saree. A saree when draped properly makes a woman look more stylish, elegant, graceful and sensuous. A saree is the only outfit which reveals as much as it hides. Draping sarees in perfect style requires a lot of practice. A perfectly draped saree makes personality but clumsily draped saree can equally bring down the look of the saree and spoil the whole appearance of a woman. The beauty of the saree is enhanced by the way it is draped.I am a professional saree draper who can drape a saree in 125 styales and more.I can drape a bride three sarees and still make her look as slim and beautiful.There are many traditional drapes which still look very good and they are made to look more trendy by adding a dupatta over them. The saree is an ancient outfit but due to the new draping styles they always tend to look new. I have being draping for the past 6 yrs and have draped a lot during their photo shoots and movies.I help the brides by draping them at there own venues so that they can look their best on the d day. I take care of everything related to saree draping.I carry accessories , extra dupattas ,broches etc when i am doing the draping so that every individual look different and gorgious. Past 6 yrs I have been blending the drapes of two states and bringing out of new trendy and traditional drapes. For me draping is nothing but the art of folds or say the magic of folds when done properly brings out the beauty of the lady.

shradha said 7 months ago:

hello.. i want to know how 2 draping saree in the form of ghagra choli.

bhawani said 7 months ago:

hello sir i read your post and i appreciate your feelings that you are apologize for any rude comment for this site.and sir every person has their own feelings so why are you

asifa said 5 months ago:

good way 2understand the art of tieing a saree or draping it.anyway i am disa appointed as the video is been removed anyway thks 4r ths.

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