Different Ways to Drape a Sari

Before you Start

Two essential parts of attire, that go along with the Saree, need to be chosen carefully to compliment the Saree. These are:

A petticoat which is a waist-to-floor garment, tied tightly at the waist by a drawstring. The petticoat color should match the base sari color as closely as possible. No part of the petticoat, of course, is visible outside the saree, after having worn it.

A blouse which needs to be tight-fitting and whose color needs to be chosen keeping the look of the saree in mind, can be short sleeved or sleeveless, with a variety of necklines. The blouse ends just below the bust.

Wearing a Saree the Traditional Way

* 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.

This is the most common saree draping styles. With matching bindi and jewellery you feel like a complete Indian woman.

Read More: Different Ways of Wearing a Sari

Coorgi Style of Draping Saree: A Unique Saree Draping Style

The ‘Saree’ is the epitome of grace and femininity of the Indian women. It is also the most cherished national garment that has transformed from mere clothing to an investment and in some cases, even an heirloom. The Saree has an undeniable significance in the Indian sub continent. The love of the Saree is reflected in the fact that almost every culture from all corners of the country has embraced the attire as a part of their identity. And, each culture has its own distinctive saree draping styles to set it apart from others.

The Coorgi Saree drape for instance, serves as a symbol of the traditions of the Kodagu (Karnataka region) and personifies the customs and aesthetics of the region. Coorgi women may drape their Saree in this style on a day to day basis or on special occasions such as a wedding or a festival.

The Coorgi drape is a unique style – not replicated elsewhere- and is characterized by pleats created at the back, allowing for free movement of the legs. The rest of the Saree is brought over the shoulder and pinned.

Here’s how to drape this Saree yourself:

•  Hold the plain end of the Saree and tuck it into the petticoat at the back.
•  Drape the Saree anti clockwise.
•  After a single drape around your body, make a minimum of 6-7 pleats.
• Gather the pleats together and tuck them into the petticoat at the back.
• Bring the rest of the Saree towards the front and drape across your chest.
• Drape it around the back again and pull the pallu (last part of the Saree) over your right shoulder (from the back to front) and pin it in place with a brooch.

Now that you know how to drape a Coorgi Saree in the traditional way; go ahead and try out the popular and very elegant ‘Ilkal’ Saree that’s crafted with the much admired Kasuti embroidery of Karnataka.

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