How to Dress in a Sari

Co-authored by Minoti Mehta

Last Updated: May 2, 2023 Approved

A sari is an Indian subcontinental women's garment originated and mainly worn in India. It has been worn historically many times, being the native dress of India. Today, there are several types of saris and many different fashions. The main section is about 6 yards (5.5 m) long, but don't let that frighten you! Dressing in a sari is very easy and it looks gorgeous on anybody.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Wearing it Nivi Style

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1
Start with having the right clothing on. You'll want to have your shirt or top on (such as a choli), your petticoat (sometimes called an inskirt) on and tied snug, and your shoes on before you start wrapping.
- The top worn with a saree is typically known as blouse (choli).
- While not necessarily required, safety pins make all sari wrapping much easier and better looking.
2
Wrap and tuck the starting end. Hold the sari so that the shorter distance goes from your waist to the floor and the long end can be wrapped around. Then, start at one end and tuck the corner of the fabric into your petticoat at your left hip, wrap it around behind you, over your right hip, past your navel, and around again until it reaches your navel once more. Continue to tuck it into your petticoat as you go around like this.^{[1]
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- Ensure sari is not too high. Ideally, your feet should not be visible from under the sari hem.
- You can use a safety pin to pin it into place at your waist right now, but the petticoat should be secure enough to hold it in place.
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3
Pleat the other end. Switch to the other, more decorated end of the sari (called the pallu). You'll want to make the pleats that go over your shoulder.^{[2]
X
Research source} Do this by using your fingers span to space the pleats, and fold them across the short end of the sari.
- You can use a flat hair clip to keep the pleats in place until you're done with your look. Just don't forget to remove it later!
Reach the pleated section around behind you and drape the pleated end from the right hip and then over your left shoulder. Adjust it to the length you want and then pin it to the shoulder strap of your choli or top.
Pulling the fabric from the top left of the skirt until it is taut at the back, drape it diagonally so that it covers your exposed love handle (or place where a love handle would be) and then tuck the fabric into the waistband at the navel.
Adjust the fabric so that you have a loop in front of you of the fabric that is making up the waistline. Pleat this remaining fabric to reduce the size of the loop until it fits your waist. You do not need to pleat until it is very tight; a little loose fabric is desirable.
Pin the front skirt pleats together at the top, adjust them to match the length of the front of the skirt, and then tuck them into the waistband.
You can pin your sari in more places if you want to make it more secure. A pin at the armpit on the right can help make sure it stays draped over your right breast, for example.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Wearing it Gujarati Style

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1
Start with having the right clothing on. You'll want to have your shirt or top on (such as a choli), your petticoat (sometimes called an inskirt) on and tied snug, and your shoes on before you start wrapping.^{[3]
X
Research source}
- While not necessarily required, safety pins make all sari wrapping much easier and better looking.
2
Wrap and tuck the starting end. Hold the sari so that the shorter distance goes from your waist to the floor and the long end can be wrapped around. Then, start at one end and tuck the corner of the fabric into your petticoat at your left hip, wrap it around behind you, over your right hip, past your navel, and around again until it reaches your navel once more. Continue to tuck it into your petticoat as you go around like this.
- You can use a safety pin to pin it into place at your waist right now, but the petticoat should be secure enough to hold it in place.
With the fabric at your navel, make six-seven pleats. Adjust the pleats to face to the right side and then tuck in the pleats. Tuck any fabric necessary to get a clean look on the right hip.
4
Pleat the other end. Switch to the other, more decorated end of the sari (called the pallu). You'll want to make the pleats that go over your shoulder.^{[4]
X
Research source} Do this by using your fingers span to space the pleats, and fold them across the short end of the sari.
- You can use a flat hair clip to keep the pleats in place until you're done with your look. Just don't forget to remove it later!
Wrap the pallu end around behind you and then drape it over the right shoulder. It should reach down to around the top of your leg, but you can adjust it to whatever suits you. Pin the pallu in place at the shoulder to secure it.^{[5]
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Research source}
Take the left side of the pleats and draw them over to your left hip. Pin the corner in place there.
Adjust any fabric that remains until it looks tidy and ready to go. You can pin it in more places if you want the style to be more secure.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Wearing it Indo-Western Style

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With this style, you'll mix Indian and Western styles by wearing leggings or jeggings instead of a petticoat, and a clubbing style or other fancy top instead of a choli. Again, be sure to have your shoes on before you start wrapping.^{[6]
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Research source}
Begin pleating down the long side of the sari until you have a decent sized section of pleats.
Tuck the pleated section into the waistband, centered below your navel, such that the rest of the sari is coming from the innermost pleat and to the left. Then tuck along the waist further, until it reaches your spine or just to your right side.
Switch to and pleat the other end of the sari as normal, across the short side.
Pass the shoulder section behind you and then wrap it so that it passes from your right hip and then over your left shoulder.
Adjust the hang of the sari so that a deep U is created at the right hip and the shoulder pleats hang at a level that pleases you.
Pin it at your shoulder to keep the sari in place, as well as anywhere else you need to in order to get the drape you want. Enjoy your new sari style!

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Question

My grandmother got me a beautiful sari that I absolutely love, and I want to wear it all the time, including in public. Is this ok? Or should I only wear the sari at home and with friends?

Community Answer

That's probably a better question for your friends and family, though I don't see why wearing it in public would be a problem.

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What is the difference between an attached and an unattached shirt?

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An unattached undershirt is an undershirt that didn't come with the top shirt. So the attached undershirt is sewed in to the top shirt.

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How do I take off a sari?

Community Answer

Tip: if you're wearing churas (bangles) take them off first. Unpin the sari. Then unwrap yourself out of it. Take off any other pins that you had on your sari. The kurtha (top) has a zipper sometimes. Unzip the zipper and take it off over your head.

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Tips

Try wearing bangles with your sari to bring attention away from your bare arms.

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Wear it with elegant sandals, boots, or any other elegant shoe. No sneakers please!

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You can attach the pleats to your petticoat with safety pins.

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Warnings

Make sure to pin your sari to your blouse because if it falls, it will be considered taboo.

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Helpful 55 Not Helpful 13
A starched cotton or tissue sari is for the pros, as it can get crushed easily. So is an extremely slinky, hard-to-drape material.

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Helpful 44 Not Helpful 12
The petticoat should never be visible from under the sari when you stand.

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Helpful 52 Not Helpful 18
Make sure that your pleats are clean! Uneven pleats give an awkward appearance.

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Helpful 6 Not Helpful 0
When bringing the pallu over your shoulder, make sure the bit behind falls above your knee, or you may trip.

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Helpful 41 Not Helpful 18
Make sure that the fall is on the inside near your feet.

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Helpful 37 Not Helpful 17
Be sure that your petticoat is tight! It's better to be a bit too tight, than too loose. Otherwise, your sari will start sagging, and the pleats will come out.

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Helpful 6 Not Helpful 1
Make sure your pleats are deep enough. Otherwise, you may have problems walking without having them slip out.

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Helpful 4 Not Helpful 1