Comments on: How to Wear a Sari

on 5/2/2008 One thing we should remember, wearing of saree differes from place to place in India. I have seen many women in rural village who covers herself in winter season with their anchal! never forget this fct also. I have seen many wome filtering water and avoid from bacteria with saree to avoid cholera. Just have a look at marthi style os wearing saree. Just see rajasthani style of warpping her face to save her face too see from another man.. Oh dear its India. Unity in diversity!
Anju
(http://www.shoppingsurat.com)

on 1/9/2008 The aanchal should not be very long while wearing the saree in falling pallu style.

on 7/20/2006 While draping the sari, one should take all possible precautions. Make the drape as tight and well fitted as possible. Make the pleats correct by hand. And try to be perfect while draping, not after. This will reduce the necessity of safety-pins. I can actually go without safety-pins at all.

on 3/17/2006 Most accidents of a sari falling off occur when the string in petticoat is not strong enough. Never trust strings in ready-made petticoats. Always replace them with new ones.

on 2/2/2006 If you have never worn a sari before, I would suggest asking the shopkeeper to show you how to wear one at the time of purchase, and then practice at home a few times until you start wearing it to parties.

If you need to wear one and don't have time to practice, ask an experienced person to drape it for you, and use safety pins too. Pin the pallu in place so as not to come undone at the party.

on 1/25/2006 Be sure to draw the string on your petticoat very tightly, this will assure that the material will not fall out. If going to an event, especially where there will be much movement (dancing), add safety pins along the edge of the waist to more safely secure the material in. Also add pins at every point that you want the material to sit, for a more tailored look.

on 11/22/2005 If you are uncomfortable with the petticoats try wearing capri's instead. They make it easier to walk. Choose capri colors appropriately.
There is a downside, however. A visit to the restroom may be taboo.

on 11/22/2005 Make sure your petticoat and blouse are tight, so you don't look tacky and your sari doesn't fall off!

on 11/22/2005 Safety pins are not taboo and high caste Hindus do wear very richly embroidered sarees. For the record, the caste system is nonexistent in urban India today.

on 11/22/2005 When you wear a sari, safety pins are crucial in these areas: Where the pleats tuck into the petticoat near your bellybutton, and where the sari meets the blouse at your shoulders. Make sure the sari is secured in these areas to prevent exposure. I've worn a sari before, and exposure is a cultural taboo!

on 11/22/2005 Wear your sandals, drape the sari in such a way that your toes and a little bit of your feet will be visible. It looks odd if your sari is a bit too high.

on 11/22/2005 My Bengali family members pin their saris all the time (even the unmarried ones) the key is to pin the sari in such a way as to be invisible. Visible pins look tacky.

on 11/22/2005 Even if safety-pinning your sari seems like a sensible option, it would have been a no-no for traditionalist Hindus. According to author Vitold de Golish (who spent years travelling India and meeting the great Rajahs and Ranees), pins in saris are taboo because they represent the sexual union.

Likewise, de Golish claims that observant Hindus of the higher castes refuse to wear embroidered saris. The makers of this embroidery would normally be of a lower caste, and there is a risk of them picking their fingers and leaving tiny blood stains in the fabrics. This would render the wearer of the sari impure, and they might even be reborn in the caste of the embroiderer.

on 11/22/2005 I've found the best way to keep pleats in a sari is to sew them in! Wrap the sari around your waist as normal and once you have completed the pleats, get a friend to tack them in place. Then take the sari off and sew the pleats in with a sewing machine.

on 11/22/2005 Always wear your shoes before wrapping your sari. Then if you choose to wear heels, your sari isn't too short. Also, PIN IT UP. I had the grand experience of having my sari unravel before my very eyes, and the eyes of the entire wedding party.