The saree is perhaps one of the most elegant, sensual outfits a woman can wear, an ensemble that can flatter any figure -- if draped right, that is!
However, that's easier said than done for most of us. The endless yards can easily overwhelm newbies, and leave you floundering in pleats, pallavs and petticoats.
To help you look your elegant best, the Christine Valmy International School of Esthetics organised a saree-draping workshop that covered some of the most popular styles. We take a look:
The Classic drape
~ The foundation garment for the saree is the waist to floor length petticoat tied tightly at the waist by a drawstring (no elastic) and a tight fitting blouse that ends at the midriff. The blouse can have a variety of necklines and sleeve lengths.
~ Tie the petticoat on the right side.
~ Starting at the navel, tuck the plain end of the saree into the petticoat for one complete turn from left to right. Do not pull the saree. Make sure that the lower end of the sari touches the floor.
~ Leave one arm length approximately for the 'stomach pleats'.
~ Pleat the 'pallav' and clip the pallav pleats with a clothes clip.
~ For the stomach pleats, beginning from the right end, which has come full circle, start making pleats in the saree, about 5 inches deep. Make about 7-10 pleats and hold them up together so that they fall straight and even. Take stomach pleats leaving one at the 'end' and tuck the rest in at the stomach.
~ Tuck the pleats into the waist, slightly to the left of the navel, and make sure that they are turned towards the left.
~ Neaten the first pleat by smoothing it out and add in with other pleats.
~ The last pleat that was left has to be taken below the other pleats and tucked in on the opposite side.
~ Now for the pallav, drape the remaining fabric around yourself once more, left to right, and bring it up under the right arm and over the left shoulder so that it falls to about the level of the knees.
~ Take the clothes clip off the pleats and neatly pin the pallav on the shoulder of your choli.
~ If you perfer a more casual look, pin only the inner border of the pallav to the choli, letting the rest of the material gather at your elbow.
Photographs: Christine Valmy Institute of Esthetics
Also read: A traditional but trendy bridalwear collection
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