Indian Accessories

A saree could be draped in many ways according to the custom of each state. Following is the most popular way of wearing a 5meter sari.

Start by putting on the long petticoat and tying the drawstring around the waist tightly. Wear the matching close fitting blouse/ choli. Beginning at the navel, the inner top edge of the sari is tucked into the petticoat in front a little more to the right side, with the sari going towards the left and wrap the sari once completely around the body, ending again at the left side.

See that the hem of the saree touches the feet. Holding the tucked waist tightly, begin pleating the sari material 5 inches deep with your fingers, evenly and neatly, and tuck them into the petticoat, slightly towards the left side.

Gather about 1 yard of the saree into approximately 7 to 10 pleats and see that the pleats are piled on top of each other evenly.

Hold them together so that they fall evenly. The lower edge of the pleats should also be even just above the ground. Wrap material fully around the waist one more time from left to right. Bring the remainder of the sari up under right arm and drape over the left shoulder such that the edge or pallav/pallu falls to about knee level.

Using a small safety pin, fasten the left shoulder portions of the pallav and blouse together to prevent pallav from falling from the shoulder. Small safety pins might be placed for extra safety wherever needed.

ifferent parts of India follow different styles of wearing the sari. In the state of Maharashtra the nine yard traditional sari does not require a petticoat and when draped, it will be more like a pant. In the Southern regions, sari is worn, however, with pleats in the front and the pallu or pallav falling over the left shoulder. The Bengali women wear it with the pallu falling over their shoulders to the front. The Coorgis wear the sari without a blouse and with the pleats in front. Gujarati style is different with the pallu falling over the right shoulder to the front of the body.