How to Tie Indian Saris

Saris come in a wide variety of patterns and colors, but they can all be wrapped in the same way.

By learning how to properly tie a sari, you can transform a simple 4- to 9-yard strip of cloth into the elegant traditional outfit worn by women throughout India. Beneath the sari, you'll need a petticoat and a blouse called a choli. These should either be of the same material and color as the sari, or you can mix and match complementary designs and colors.

Things You'll Need

• Sari
• Petticoat, with tight drawstring around waist
• Blouse (choli), short-sleeved or sleeveless, cropped, leaving midriff bare

Instructions

1. Tuck one corner of the sari firmly into the waistband of your petticoat, at your right hip bone. Wrap the Sari around once toward your left, tucking its undecorated edge into the waistband as you go. The decorated edge should just about touch the floor.

2. Make at least six pleats of equal width, each one approximately 6 inches wide, starting from the place where you tucked the corner of the sari into your waistband. You will be folding the sari almost exactly the way a piece of paper can be folded into a hand fan in the summertime. Make sure that the layering of the pleats begins outside and moves inward, leaving the folds facing your left, and then tuck the top of them into your waistband.

3. Continuing in the same leftward direction, wrap the sari around yourself again. When you have it in front of you, bring the top edge up to your left shoulder and drape the sari over your shoulder. Fasten it to the back of your blouse with a safety pin or brooch -- most of the remainder of the fabric should now be draped over your left shoulder and arm. Fully compose yourself in the sari by holding the end of it in your right hand so that it isn't hanging off your back.

Resources

• Utsav Sarees: How to Wear a Sari