Before You Drape

There are hundreds of different ways to drape a sari. Most of the drape styles are regionally specific and – just like food and language in India – the drapes are a result of context, geography and function. It’s also reasonable to assume that there are other drapes in existence that haven’t yet been officially documented. You could even go so far as to say that you can drape a sari however you like.

OUR TEAM →

OUR PATRONS →

  1. A sari ranges from 3.2 meters to 8.2 meters in length. Some sari drapes require two piece sets, variable in size. And some sari drapes require odhnis.
  2. Traditionally, the sari has been defined as a single piece of unstitched fabric, often with heavier sections to allow it to drape correctly. Its border (akin to a hem) would be woven with a heavier density, as would its ‘pallu’ (the often decorative end piece). But we suggest one ask, what makes a sari a sari? For this project, we pushed the traditional boundaries and experimented with textile yardage in addition to saris.
  3. Wearing a sari requires precisely *zero* safety pins.
  4. You don't have to wear a petticoat and you can wear whatever kind of blouse you prefer. For some drapes, you don't even need to wear a blouse!
    • Fact: The sari was worn without a blouse and petticoat before the British Raj. During the prudish Victorian era, baring one’s chest or being blouseless was seen as improper, so the Raj promoted the wearing of blouses and petticoats with ruffled hems. The result? Even today, most people wear the sari with a blouse and petticoat. But none of the regional sari drapes actually require a petticoat, and many can be worn without a blouse.
  5. For those with no ties to the sari, the question of cultural appropriation often arises. It can't speak on behalf of all of India, but 95% of respondents in our survey suggested that Indians are open to anyone wearing the sari. Of course, with the proviso that it’s not in the context of a costume, and is worn with respect. To learn more about the issue and our take on it, read: 'Appropriating the Sari'. 
  6. Draping a sari may seem daunting at first. To help you get started, we've put together a suite of six foundational tutorials: The Basic Pleat, The Basic Pouch, The Basic Knot, The Basic Peplum, The Basic Cascade and The Basic Flower. (LINK TO THE BASICS PAGE)