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It is the epitome of fashion, elegance, and sophistication, along with being glamorous and feminine. In a world full of trends, sari is the only ensemble that has remained timelessly classic. But, from time to time, its appearance has been transformed by modern fashion and has been cultivated with new textures, bedazzled with the touch of the latest trends. In India, over 7.5 million people are involved in the production of handloom saris. Although the structure of the sari is the same everywhere, Indian women have expressed their persona and creativity with it through the mediums of culture, fashion, Bollywood, art, and royalty, by draping their perfection in the sari. It has been remodelled through countless draping styles, patterns, colours, weaving techniques, textures; this one unstitched cloth has been a wonderful, intrinsic part of the Indian culture. In today’s column, let’s enlighten some facts about the sari and the legacy of its origin and continuity through the most dominating mediums.

Origin and history of sari

The sari, or saree, contains 5 to 9 yards of fabric which is supposed to be wrapped around a woman’s body in a variety of ways, resulting in the garment being used for practical working attire, or as an elegant ceremonial gown, or a statement of the woman’s stature depending on the type of drape and fabric, and the occasion it’s being used for. But over 75% of the Indian female population uses the sari as daily wear.

Type of drapes

Isn’t it amazing how one strip of fabric can transform the look of a woman, based on the way it is draped? Different parts of India have poured their culture into sari-draping, offering immense versatility and folds, from Sambalpuri and Taant in the east to Paithani in the west, from Banarasi in the north to Mysore Silk, Ikat, and Kanchipuram in the south. The most common draping style is wrapping it around the waist with one end, then draping it over the shoulder, keeping the midriff exposed. The sari is usually worn over a petticoat. The blouse may be stitched in many different styles of the neckline, front to back opening, short to long sleeves, and so on. You should always choose a sari draping style according to your height, body shape, and comfort.

Left side pallu

Pleat the sari around the waistline and bring the pallu to the left shoulder. This look is the best for casual events and goes extremely well with chiffon, satin, net, lace, and mulmul. It gives you a sensational feeling when you combine it with crop tops.

Right side pleated pallu

If you’re bored of the left side pallu, you can change just a direction to the right. It doesn’t mark much of a difference in words but surely the look gives a new appeal and more of an artistic feeling.

Back to front pallu

The pride of the Gujarati and Parsi culture is this style of draping the sari. Instead of wearing the pallu from front to back, you hold that power from the other way - from the back to the front, making sharp and prominent pleating on the shoulder. It’s ethnic and also gives off an alpha female vibe, and is seen in almost all traditional events.

Pleats on the back

This is a rather different but the funkiest and a fun way of draping your sari. Pleat your sari in the back instead of pleating it in the front under your belly. It creates an interesting pattern, especially for women who wish to enhance more volume to their lower back, keeping the front clean and simple.

Modern Bengali drape

A twist to the traditional Bengali draping style, you can enhance this look with minimalistic jewellery and muted sandals. Start tucking the sari end from the right side of the waist and until it completes one full round back to the right side. After that, tuck the sari across the body from the right side of the waist to the left side. In the next step, reverse it from left to right. Repeat this twice, and make pallu pleats to place on your left shoulder making a deep U in the front. Bring the pallu corner to the front under the right hand and place it on your right shoulder, and tie a heavy trinket to the corner.

Half side sari drape

You tuck the pleating in the front on one side without wrapping it around your waist. This method looks the best with a nice skirt and blouses to enhance that outfit while keeping the sari as a small dupatta wrapped around the top and skirt.

Pallu wrapped around the neck

Wearing the pallu wrapped around your neck gives a sassy flavour to the suitable cotton yet modern sari style with perfectly stitched blouses that can be exposed gracefully in the front. It’s carefree and fun and brings out strong confidence in a person’s appearance.

Twisted pallu

Be it Mumtaz – the biggest sari icon of 70s Bollywood, or fashion designer Tarun Tahiliani’s sensational collection of readymade saris, the twisting pallu style is hyped for looking sexy and cool. This trick looks the best with chiffon, georgette, or satin fabrics, even with other soft and sheer materials.