How to Put On a Sari
A sari, also spelled saree, is a traditional garment commonly worn by women in India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Burma and Malaysia. Typically made of cotton or silk, a section of fabric is draped around the body, with several different wrapping patterns available. The most common style of sari draping is the nivi style. With this style, a snug- fitting blouse, called a choli, is worn as is a petticoat, which is used for securing the fabric around the waist.
Instructions
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1
Put on an ankle length petticoat and tie it securely at the waist, then put on the choli which is designed to fit snugly.
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2
Tuck one end of the sari fabric into the front of the petticoat and make one complete wrap around your waist, moving from right to left and tucking the fabric in around the sides and back. The lower end of the sari should be touching the floor.
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3
Make approximately 10 pleats in the sari by gathering the fabric between your fingers, beginning from the end that is tucked in. Each pleat should be approximately about 5 inches wide. Hold the pleats so that the fabric falls evenly to the floor, then tuck them into the waist of the petticoat at a point that is slightly to the left of your navel.
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4
Gather the remaining material and make an additional wrap around your waist, again tucking the material along the sides and back. Stop when you reach the area where the pleated material has been tucked in.
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5
Fold the remaining material in half to decrease the width of the fabric and place it over your left shoulder. Secure the fabric to the underlying blouse with a small safety pin.
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Tips & Warnings
Use a decorative pin instead of a safety pin to add a decorative touch when fastening the sari to your shoulder.
References
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