The draping of a saree can be a mammoth and rather an uncomfortable task for women who wear them only occasionally. Not to worry, there are a few tricks to draping a sari so it feels comfortable on the wearer.
The first step to draping a saree is deciding on the type of saree to wear. By “style,” we don’t mean the style of the saree, but rather the material of the saree. It is interesting how cotton sarees are one of the simplest materials to drape on. Following this, silk and other materials follow suit, along with an increase in the difficulty level for drapery.
Must-Haves Before Draping a Saree
Draping a saree is no easy matter. There are some essentials that everyone should have handy for ensuring a perfect drape. The list of essential items is as follows:
- Safety Pins: Safety pins are the lifeline for women when draping a saree. Safety pins secure the pleats of the saree and ensure that the saree is supported in every corner. Be it the aanchal to the blouse of the saree or the pleats, safety pins are important. Safety pins are also used to secure the base of a saree to a petticoat as well.
- Petticoat: A saree requires a petticoat. A petticoat is a piece of cloth tied around the hip or the waist of the wearer. The petticoat is used to tuck in the saree and forms a secure base for the entire draping process. Different types of petticoats for different bases for a saree. Body-hugging petticoats for a secure fit and umbrella petticoats for a flare look are the preferred choices.
- Blouse: The blouse is a part of the attire of a saree. A proper blouse that is either contrasting or according to the color of the saree is ideal fits. A blouse that compliments the look of the saree in terms of design should be chosen. In addition, blouses form the upper base for holding onto the pallu of the saree making it an important piece.
- Accessories: Draping a saree without any accessories is a complete formula for an incomplete look. The accessories are what make a look come together. Be it the earrings, the necklace, the type of shoes, the pins added to a hairstyle, or even bangles – accessories are essential. Choosing the right type of accessory can be the deciding factor of whether one’s look is complete or not.
The Step-by-step Draping Process
Draping a saree can be completed in just a couple of minutes. With the right materials and the right techniques, a comfortable drape is easily possible. A simple saree draping guide is as follows:
- First, track the length of the saree to find out the pallu side and the body of the saree. Ensure that you are draping a saree whose length matches your height. Place the entire saree in front of you and tuck one side in to begin the draping process.
- Slowly tuck in your saree to the petticoat. Make sure to leave out the part of the saree that’s meant to be pleated at the front. Continue securing the cloth in till you reach the length of the pallu.
- Drape the pallu and the saree around the length of your body and over your shoulder temporarily. First, we will work on the pleats. Using the fan fold and your index and pinky finger, make as many pleats as deemed necessary. Once done, secure them to one another with the help of a safety pin. Then secure them to the petticoat with another safety pin.
- Lastly, drape the pallu over your shoulder and attach one end of it to the blouse. Make minor adjustments to the pleats and the pallu for a complete look topped up with accessories.
5 Tips for a Comfortable Saree Drape
A comfortable drape is dependent on only a couple of factors. The material of the clothes worn is the most important: what is the material of the saree, the blouse, the petticoat, and the petticoat itself? These are important for the comfort level of the wearer. For first-time saree drapers, a material like cotton or silk is recommended for their ease of wear.
Some tips for comfort:
- Choose a petticoat according to the drape of the saree that you want. As recommended earlier, there is a body-hugging petticoat and an umbrella skirt-type petticoat. The one that is most comfortable and that suits your style for the day should be chosen. A petticoat that ensures a secure base for the entire saree is always a better option than a loose-fitting one.
- Pre-pleat your saree and iron it – a life hack. Since pleats form the biggest challenge one has when draping a saree, pleating it from before and securing it in place by ironing over it and securing safety pins is perfect. Ironing secures the saree folds in place. making it easier for the wearer to track folds.
- Get the pico border done. The pico border is an added element to a saree that ensures that the pleats of a saree are secure and graceful. It also assists in the longevity of a saree and pleats.
- Inlining of the blouse. The most uncomfortable part of the saree, according to popular surveys is the blouse. Getting a blouse with an inline or breathable fabric can be the distinguishing factor between a comfortable and an uncomfortable look. A blouse should also fit just right to the body of the wearer. If it is too loose then it will not be able to hold the weight of the saree and will give a clumsy look to the entire attire.
- Pleat the pallu. Another hack for a sophisticated drape, pleating the end of the saree that forms the aanchal provides not only comfort but a more elegant drape to the saree. Pleating the end makes the end of the saree look thinner and accentuates the figure of the wearer. By pleating the end of a saree, the extra effort of managing the saree reduces significantly.
In Conclusion,
Draping a saree in an elegant and classy way to make the wearer look stylish and comfortable is easy with the right tips. Following these tips for comfort, one can easily ensure that their saree is comfortable and can be worn for a long time. A worry-free drape all depends on the drape and the security of a saree, and most importantly, – choosing the right material of saree for the drape. We recommend choosing from a range of comfortable cotton sarees to find the perfect match.
