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How to drape a saree

MARCH 2018

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Copyright notice

© 2018 SR Fashion House.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form

or by any means, including electronic, photographic, or mechanical, or by any information

storage and retrieval system without the prior written permission of the publisher. If

through inadvertence, anything has been printed without permission, proper

acknowledgement will be made in future printings after notice has been received.

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About this guide

What is a saree?

A saree is an Indian traditional clothing for women. It consists of a 4 to 8-meter drape in

length and 60 cm to 1.20 m in breadth. The saree is regarded as a symbol of grace and

femininity. The saree is now worn in Occidental countries as a new trend for functions and

parties.

Purpose

This document provides a guide on how to wear a saree. After reading this guide, you will be

able:

• to choose a good material of saree

• to drape correctly and elegantly a saree in the traditional way

• to drape a saree in a more modern way

• to select the best accessories to match the saree

Audience

A function or party invitation comes and you want to try this new fashion that is to wear a

saree. This guide is destined to girls and women who have never worn a saree and want to

try at least once. If you want to change your dressing style according to the new fashion

trends, this guide is for you.

About Us

SR Fashion House is an Indian fashion designing company based in Chennai. Our company

designs the best Indian clothes, available for the public in our showroom. Each saree is sold

with a readymade blouse that matches a saree, in case you don’t have time to stitch one.

Our designs are also available on our website for worldwide shipping. For more information,

you can consult our website www.SRfashionhouse.com.

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Table of Contents

ABOUT THIS GUIDE ........................................................................................ 2

1. BEFORE YOU START ................................................................................. 4

1.1 THE SUPPLIES ................................................................................................... 4

1.2 CAUTIONARY INSTRUCTIONS ................................................................................ 5

2. CHOOSING THE SAREE ............................................................................. 6

3. DRAPING THE SAREE ............................................................................. 12

3.1 PUTTING ON THE BLOUSE .................................................................................. 12

3.2 PUTTING ON THE PETTICOAT .............................................................................. 12

3.3 TUCKING IN THE SAREE ..................................................................................... 13

3.4 PLEATING THE PALLU ....................................................................................... 14

3.5 PLEATING THE SAREE........................................................................................ 18

4. DRAPING IN LEHENGA STYLE ................................................................. 23

4.1 PUTTING ON THE BLOUSE .................................................................................. 23

4.2 PUTTING ON THE PETTICOAT .............................................................................. 23

4.3 PLEATING THE LEHENGA ................................................................................... 24

4.4 PLEATING THE PALLU ....................................................................................... 26

5. FINISHING TOUCHES .............................................................................. 30

INDEX .......................................................................................................... 33

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1. Before you start

In this chapter, you can find the list of supplies you need to drape correctly a saree. You can

also find the cautionary instructions.

1.1 The supplies

To successfully drape a saree, you need:

• A saree

• A saree blouse

• A petticoat

• Safety pins

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1.2 Cautionary instructions

You should not iron a Georgette or Chiffon saree. The heat can burn the fabric. If you want

to iron your saree, iron it at low heat setting.

You must be careful while handling the safety pins to not prick yourself.

Do not wear jewelries before draping, they can get stuck in the folds and damage the saree.

If you plan to wear heels with the saree, you must wear them before draping to get the ideal

length.

It is better to stitch a saree blouse with your measurements for a better fitting.

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2. Choosing the saree

You wish to wear a saree for a function but you don’t know which one to choose. This

chapter gives information about different types of saree you can find and their particularity.

You can also find information about the occasion on which each saree is worn.

Banarasi

The Banarasi saree comes from the city of Varanasi in the north of India. This saree is made

out of silk that is dyed in a variety of colors. Originally crafted exclusively for the royalty, the

motifs on the saree are crafted out of Zari threads. Zari threads are flattened thin metallic

strips from fine gold or silver wire.

The motifs on the saree are Persian designs such as floral patterns or leaves. The saree is

usually handmade with a handloom and can take between 15 days and a month to be

created.

The Banarasi saree is one of the finest traditional saree. You can wear this saree on grand

occasions like weddings.

Bandhani

The Bandhani saree comes from Rajasthan and Gujarat in the north of India. The name of

this saree comes from the art of tying a fabric very tightly at different points in knots and

then dyeing it, producing a variety of patterns.

The Bandhani saree is believed to bring good luck, you can wear it on any functions.

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Chiffon

The Chiffon saree is a modern craft, it is made of synthetic fibers like nylon or polyester. It is

a lightweight plain-woven fabric and has a transparent appearance. The Chiffon saree is also

a favorite among Bollywood stars as it is easier to carry.

The Chiffon saree should be hand-washed or slow machine-washed so that the fabric does

not get frayed.

You can wear this saree on plenty occasions from weddings to simple parties.

Chikankari

The Chikankari saree is from Lucknow, India and it means “embroidery”. The craft is

handmade on fabrics like silk or chiffon and the patterns are stitched on the fabric in floral

designs.

You can wear a Chikankari saree on a daily basis like in India or on small occasions.

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Georgette

The Georgette saree is lightweight and is woven in twisted yarns of S and Z shapes. There are

two types of Georgette: Pure and Faux. Pure Georgette is woven out of silk yarns and Faux

Georgette is woven from polyester.

This fabric gives a crushed or twisted feel and tends to bring out the feminine curves. This

saree is one of the most appreciated and modern sarees, made trendy by Bollywood.

You can wear this Georgette saree on any occasion.

Gota

The Gota saree is an embroidered saree from Rajasthan, India. The saree is made out of gold

or silver ribbons and laces applied onto the fabric with the edges sewn down to create

elaborated and floral patterns. The gold and silver ribbons are now replaced with polyester

film or copper coated with silver. The craft of a Gota saree is time-consuming and lengthy.

You can wear a Gota saree on religious functions or on grand occasions.

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Kanchipuram

The Kanchipuram saree is from the city Kanchipuram in South India. It is a silk saree, the

motifs on it are crafted out of Zari threads. To give the saree its stiffness, the silk threads of

the saree are dipped in rice water and sun-dried before the weaving.

The particularity of Kanchipuram sarees is their design consisting of temple figurines and

mythological designs.

You can wear this saree on grand occasions like weddings.

Kerala

The Kerala saree comes from Kerala in the south of India. This is a handwoven cream color

traditional saree with gold borders. This is the most auspicious attire for women in Kerala.

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With the modernization of the fashion industry, this saree can also be crafted with floral

patterns and motifs like peacocks or birds.

You can wear this saree in Kerala on a daily basis and all around the world on Onam, the

New Year in Kerala.

Kurai

The Kurai saree is made of silk and is red with golden embroidery with designs such as

mangoes, peacocks or floral patterns. This saree is the wedding saree for South Indians. The

red color of the saree is auspicious to weddings.

You can wear a Kurai saree as a bride or after the weeding, for the wedding of a relative

only.

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Net

The net fabric was originally layered over a sturdier fabric to give a mystical aura to a saree.

The craft of net sarees came with the modernization of Bollywood and its sensual aspects.

The lightweight of the saree makes the carrying easy.

The Net saree is the latest trend and you can wear it on any occasion.

For parties or functions, it is better to choose a Net, Georgette or Chiffon saree, especially

for young women. The lightweight of those sarees makes it easy to drape and carry. They are

also part of the new trends and Bollywood fetishes.

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3. Draping the saree

In this chapter, you can find the instructions on how to put on the blouse and the petticoat

and how to drape a saree in the traditional and standard way.

3.1 Putting on the blouse

1. The standard blouse is opened at the front. Put it on like a jacket.

2. Slide carefully the hooks in the small openings of the blouse.

3. Pin together the two ends of the blouse with a safety pin.

4. Tie the binding strings called Dori at the back.

3.2 Putting on the petticoat

1. The petticoat should match the color of the saree. Put on the petticoat like a skirt.

2. Position it on your navel or just below.

3. The slight opening at the waist should be on your right.

4. Tie the petticoat tightly on your waist using the strings. You have to drape the saree on it.

5. After you put on your petticoat, wear your heels. You can now drape the saree.

To drape the saree, refer to the next section.

Dori

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3.3 Tucking in the saree

1. Take the inner end of the saree and tie a knot as shown inside the red circle:

2. Tuck the knot in the right side of the petticoat.

3. Keep tucking the saree in the petticoat around your waist, from right to left.

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4. The saree should touch the ground and hide your shoes, but should not be longer than

that.

5. Tuck in the saree around the waist for one full round and stop at your navel.

6. Now take the outer end of the saree called Pallu to pleat it.

3.4 Pleating the Pallu

1. Make sure the embroidered border is on the outside and get hold of the left corner of the

saree.

2. Stretch the saree between your thumb and the forefinger. Wind the fabric around the

fingers in and out alternatively.

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3. There should be six to eight pleats about 4 inches (10 centimeters) wide.

4. Bring the pleats behind you and towards your right hip. Make sure the pleats are equal.

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5. To secure the pleats together, use two safety pins. Pin one at the end of the Pallu and the

other a little farther apart from the first pin.

6. Place the Pallu on your left shoulder and adjust the length at your knee level.

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7. To hold the Pallu onto your saree blouse at the shoulder, use a safety pin.

8. Pull the fabric behind you from the top right and bring it to your left, at navel level.

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9. Use a safety pin and pin the fabric diagonally onto your petticoat. It will make you look

slimmer.

3.5 Pleating the saree

1. Hold the rest of the fabric in front of you. It should make a loop on your left.

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2. Pleat the rest of the fabric, just like you did earlier with the Pallu.

3. Make sure all the pleats have the same width. The pleats should be facing your left.

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4. To hold the pleats together, use a safety pin.

5. Tuck the pleats at the waistband. Make sure the pleats are at floor-length.

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6. Cover the tucked pleats with the first layer of the saree.

7. Remove the two safety pins from the Pallu.

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8. To give an elegant look to your outfit, let the Pallu fly behind you.

You have successfully draped the saree in the traditional and standard way.

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4. Draping in Lehenga style

Now that you know how to drape the saree in the traditional way, you can learn to drape the

saree in another way. A Lehenga is another type of Indian clothing consisting in a blouse, a

long skirt and a long veil.

If you want to give your saree a modern and classy look, this chapter will guide you through

the steps to drape your saree in a Lehenga style. With this method of draping, you can wear

the same saree more than once.

4.1 Putting on the blouse To put on the saree blouse, refer to the chapter 3.1 Putting on the blouse on Page 6.

4.2 Putting on the petticoat To put on the petticoat, refer to the chapter 3.2 Putting the petticoat on Page 6.

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4.3 Pleating the Lehenga

1. Take the inner end of the saree and tuck it in the petticoat at your right.

2. Keep tucking the saree in the petticoat around your waist, from right to left.

3. Tuck in the saree around the waist for one complete round and stop at your right side.

4. Make a small pleat about 2 inches (5 centimeters) and tuck it in the petticoat.

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5. Keep making small pleats and tuck them in the petticoat at regular interval till your left

side.

6. To hold the pleats together, tuck the fabric in the petticoat on your back without pleating.

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4.4 Pleating the Pallu

1. Reach behind you and pull the rest of the fabric in the front, at your right.

2. Place roughly the Pallu on your left shoulder and let it fall at knee level.

3. Reach behind you on your left and pull the rest of the fabric at your front.

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4. Bring the border towards your right, covering your navel.

5. To prevent the saree from falling, take a safety pin and pin the border onto the first

pleats.

6. Pin the inner border of the Pallu on your left shoulder and let the rest of the fabric hang.

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7. Fold the rest of the Pallu into small pleats, like earlier.

8. The last pleat of the Pallu is the outer border and it should cover all the other pleats on

your shoulder. To hold the pleats together, use a safety pin.

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You have successfully draped the saree in Lehenga style.

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5. Finishing touches

Before you start for the party, you need to complete this look with some accessories that

match the saree. Here are some more tips:

• Adorn your wrists with simple bangles, they should match the color of the saree.

• Wear a necklace and earrings that match the color of the saree border.

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• Pin a brooch onto your Pallu on the left shoulder to hide the safety pin.

• To give a spark to a simple saree, wear a waist chain over it.

• Adorn your forehead with the Bhindi, of your choice that matches the color of your

saree. The Bhindi is a small sticker dot Indian women wear on the forehead.

For more choices or accessories, visit our website www.SRfashionhouse.com.

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Congratulations! You are now ready to flaunt your ethnic Indian

look at parties and functions.

SR Fashion House thanks you for your purchase and hopes you are

satisfied with the results.

If you have any questions or comments, you are free to contact us via our website www.SRfashionhouse.com.

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Index

A Accessories 2, 31, 32 Wearing 2, 5-12, 31, 32

B Blouse 4, 12, 13, 18, 24, 25, 26 Pinning 12, 16, 16, 28, 32 Putting on 12, 24 Borders 9, 14, 28, 29, 31 Embroidered 8, 14

C Chikankari 7 Crafting 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 Choosing 2, 6, 11 Fabrics 5-8, 11, 14, 17, 18, 19, 26, 27, 28 Sarees 2, 4-14, 17, 18, 21-24, 27, 29-31 Crafts 7, 8, 11 Embroidered 8, 14 Crafting 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 Chikankari 7 Floral patterns 6, 7, 8, 10 Gota 8 Motifs 6, 9, 10 Zari 6, 8

D Dori 12 Tying 6, 12, 13 Drape 2, 4, 11, 12, 22, 23, 29 Sarees 2, 4-14, 17, 18, 21-24, 27, 29-31

M Making 11, 14, 15, 18, 19, 20, 21, 25 Pleats 14, 15, 16, 19, 20, 21, 25-28, 29 Motif 6, 9, 10 Crafting 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11

P Pallu 14, 16, 17, 19, 22, 27, 28, 29, 32 Pinning 12, 16, 16, 28, 32 Pleating 14, 15, 16, 19, 20, 21, 25-28, 29 Petticoat 2, 4, 5, 12, 17, 24 Pinning 12, 16, 16, 28, 32 Putting on 12, 24 Tying 6, 12, 13 Pinning 12, 16, 16, 28, 32 Blouses 4, 12, 13, 18, 24, 25, 26 Pallu 14, 16, 17, 19, 22, 27, 28, 29, 32 Petticoats 2, 4, 5, 12, 17, 24 Pleats 14, 15, 16, 19, 20, 21, 25-28, 29 Sarees 2, 4-14, 17, 18, 21-24, 27, 29-31 Pleating 14, 15, 16, 19, 20, 21, 25-28, 29 Lehenga 24, 25, 30 Pallu 14, 16, 17, 19, 22, 27, 28, 29, 32 Sarees 2, 4-14, 17, 18, 21-24, 27, 29-31 Pleats 14, 15, 16, 19, 20, 21, 25-28, 29 Making 11, 14, 15, 18, 19, 20, 21, 25 Pinning 12, 16, 16, 28, 32 Tucking 13, 14, 21, 25, 26 Putting on 12, 24 Blouses 4, 12, 13, 18, 24, 25, 26 Petticoats 2, 4, 5, 12, 17, 24

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E Embroidered 8, 14 Borders 9, 14, 28, 29, 31 Crafts 7, 8, 11 Floral patterns 6, 7, 8, 10 Sarees 2, 4-14, 17, 18, 21-24, 27, 29-31

F Fabrics 5-8, 11, 14, 17, 18, 19, 26, 27, 28 Choosing 2, 6, 11 Tying 6, 12, 13 Floral pattern 6, 7, 8, 10 Crafting 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 Embroidered 8, 14

G Gota 8 Crafting 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11

H Heels 5, 12 Wearing 2, 5-12, 31, 32

K Knots 6, 13 Tying 6, 12, 13

L Lehenga 24, 25, 30 Pleating 14, 15, 16, 19, 20, 21, 25-28, 29

S Safety pins 4, 5, 16-18, 20, 22, 28, 29, 32 Using 16, 17, 18, 20, 29 Pinning 12, 16, 16, 28, 32 Saree 2, 4-14, 17, 18, 21-24, 27, 29-31 Choosing 2, 6, 11 Draping 2, 4, 11, 12, 22, 23, 29 Embroidered 8, 14 Pinning 12, 16, 16, 28, 32 Pleating 14, 15, 16, 19, 20, 21, 25-28, 29 Wearing 2, 5-12, 31, 32

T Tying 6, 12, 13 Dori 12 Fabrics 5-8, 11, 14, 17, 18, 19, 26, 27, 28 Knots 6, 13 Petticoats 2, 4, 5, 12, 17, 24 Tucking 13, 14, 21, 25, 26 Pleats 14, 15, 16, 19, 20, 21, 25-28, 29

U Using 16, 17, 18, 20, 29 Safety pins 4, 5, 16-18, 20, 22, 28, 29, 32

W Wearing 2, 5-12, 24, 31, 32 Accessories 2, 31, 32 Sarees 2, 4-14, 17, 18, 21-24, 27, 29-31 Heels 5, 12

Z Zari 6, 8 Crafting 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11