Did you know that sarees can be traced all the way back to 2800-1800 BCE? That’s around 3,800 years ago!
Sarees are known to be elegant and traditional, yet sexy and trendy. Their styles are woven throughout history, yet hot celebrities still wear them today. There really is no other dress in the world like a saree!
Of course, you may be reluctant about wearing a saree. Maybe it seems like too much hassle. But don’t give up, wrapping those nine yards of gorgeousness isn’t as hard as you may think.
Keep reading for our step by step guide on how to drape a saree like a pro. Are you ready? Let’s do this!
How to Drape a Saree Step by Step
Read this step by step guide on how to tie a saree. The Nivi style mentioned below in the step by step guide is the basis of most other styles of saree. So, if you master this way of saree draping, you’re well on your way to becoming an absolute pro!
Step 1 – Choosing the Saree
Sarees come in an impressive array of colors, designs, and fabrics. If you’re wearing a saree for the first time, you may want to opt for a lighter fabric.
And of course, the saree fabric you choose will depend on the occasion. For example, a glitzy saree is much more suited to a wedding than at work!
Step 2 – Be Prepared
Firstly, make sure you have everything you need:
- Safety pins galore!
- A fitted blouse.
- A petticoat.
- A saree.
Choose a tailored petticoat that is the same shade as your saree. This is just in case your saree is sheer or it rides up and the petticoat is exposed. And whatever you do, use enough pins to prevent a potential wardrobe malfunction!
Wear your matching saree blouse and petticoat. Tie your petticoat tightly as it will be holding in your pleats. Also wear your heels or footwear, so that you can drape the saree to the right length.
Step 3 – Begin Draping
Make a knot in the top corner of the non-pallu (plain end) of the saree. The pallu end of the saree will be the patterned or bedazzled section. Make sure the fabric embroideries are facing outwards, or you will tie your saree inside out.
Tuck the knot into your petticoat just near your belly button. Wrap the saree completely around you until you reach the point where you started. Tuck the fabric around the waist into your petticoat.
The saree should lay just slightly above the floor, but not with your ankles showing.
Step 4 – Pleating the Saree
Start pleating the extra fabric, roughly about the size of your forefinger to your thumb. Pleat the fabric by winding the saree from your thumb to your index finger.
Depending on the length of the material, make anywhere between 5-8 pleats. Secure the pleats with a safety pin and tuck them into your petticoat. Adjust the pleats so that look even and straight.
Step 5 – Adjusting the Pallu
Wrap the rest of the saree fabric from right to left around your body. You can either drape the pallu over your left shoulder without pleating or you can pleat the pallu.
For a floating look, bring the pallu under your right arm and pin it onto the left shoulder.
For a pleated look, after wrapping the saree from right to left around your body, start to pleat the pallu end. Make sure the vertical pleats are neat and even, then bring it under your right arm and place it over your left shoulder. Secure the fabric with a safety pin.
The pallu should fall just below your knees. If needed, you can adjust the pleats near your belly button to adjust the length of the pallu.
Different Styles of Wearing a Saree
The pleated Nivi style saree drape is just one of the several different styles of wearing a saree. Here are just a few of our favorites:
Gujarati Style Saree Draping
A Gujarati style saree is a great way to show off an intricate pallu. It is very similar to the traditional Nivi style, but instead of placing the pallu on the left shoulder, it is brought over to the front of the right shoulder.
Pant Style Saree Draping
Pant style saree draping is a trendy way to wear the traditional clothing. The style allows you the extra movement that a pleated saree does not allow.
Instead of using an underskirt, use ankle length leggings. Take the pallu, make pleats and put this over your left shoulder. Take the plain end of the saree, wrap it around you from the right side to the left, and tuck it into your waist. Pleat the loose fabric and tuck into the center of the pants.
Belted Style Saree Draping
A belted style saree is most likely inspired by the traditional waist chain on bridal sarees. Try a thin, broad or cloth belt to modernize the otherwise traditional look
Lehenga Style Saree Draping
You can even drape a saree to give the look of a lehenga. With a simple drape of arranging single pleats across your waistline, you’ll have a fancy lehenga to wear without cutting up your favorite saree!
How to Wear a Saree – Extra Tips
After you’ve followed the step by step guide on how to tie saree, there are still a few other things to keep in mind. Here are a few extra tips:
- Never wear flat shoes, slippers or wedges, always opt for high heels or stilettos.
- Don’t take attention away from your saree with an overdose of bling, keep your jewelry simple and classy.
- Make sure your pins are hidden behind the fabric and not visible.
- Wear a well-fitting blouse that is neither too tight or overly baggy.
- Avoid flared petticoats that will make your saree look shapeless.
- Take extra safety pins with you, just in case of a wardrobe malfunction.
Practice Makes Perfect
Just like everything in life, saree draping is a skill that can be perfected in due course. Don’t give up, even if you make a mess of it the first few times. You could even ask a friend, or a willing aunty to help you to perfect the art of saree draping.
If you enjoyed this ultimate guide on how to drape a saree, you’ll love our other fashion blog posts. So, what are you waiting for, go check it out!
