I think this blog would be incomplete if I didn't post any information on how to drape a saree. After all, whats the point of owning a saree if you don't now how to drape it!
Of all the clothes we women wear, I think the saree is the most challenging to us. Owning an exclusive saree boutique in Alwarpet, I often meet women who come in to buy a saree for that special occasion but are still not sure of how to wear one. This is more so true in the case of youngsters who are either in college or on their first jobs. Whenever asked for advice on how to wear one, I often reply asking what style would suit them. Pleasantly surprised, they often ask me for the easiest methods.
There are many styles of draping a saree, around 10 to 15 or so and each one is practiced somewhere or the other in the country. For reasons of simplicity, lets stick to the basics - the common traditional draping style:
Before you start make sure that the petticoat or underskirt is tied tightly at the waist using a drawstring. Elastics, thought easy to wear may not be able the carry the weight of the saree for long and will require constant adjustments. The color of the petticoat should match that of the saree as closely as possible.
Select a blouse that’s fits you well but is still comfortable. Make sure that the blouse goes along with the color of the saree you choose to wear. Again, the blouse you choose can change the look of your saree so do keep in mind the way you’ll look in that specific cut you select. Have a look at my post on blouses for more ideas. Now that we’ve got that sorted out, lets tackle the saree.
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.
Once you get accustomed with the basics, start to experiment with different draping styles at home. You can really be innovative with six yards of fabric . Drape it up in different styles and pep up the look with a variety of accessories or select a unique blouse that can be matched with various sarees. The options are many but it all comes down to what you’re comfortable with.
If you live in Chennai, feel free to walk into my store, Aavarnaa Boutique. I'd be more than happy to help you out with the intricacies of draping and anything else related to sarees. Aavaranaa is located at #15, Ashoka Street, Alwarpet. You could also log on to www.aavaranaa.com for more information.
Contributed by Ms. Soorya Krishna, Head Designer - Aavaranaa
