Sarees are one of the most popular Indian garments, not just in India, but around the world. These elegant ethnic garments are distinguished by their unique silhouette and graceful aura. They are no longer considered boring, traditional garments for special occasions: today, designers and customers alike view saris as one of the most stylish and appealing garments in the ethnic wear market. They are also available in many different varieties and can be worn for casual as well as formal occasions. Of course, pulling off a sari look is not just about selecting the right sari. Saree draping is crucial to the over-all look of the garment. It is often over-looked but is in fact the single most important aspect of the ensemble. How well the saree draping is executed can make or break the look.
There are many different saree wearing styles in the Indian sub-continent. Going from region to region, there are subtle differences in the way the garment is draped and tucked. The most popular and commonly worn saree draping style, which has today become the default drape, is the Nivi drape. Originally from Andhra Pradesh, this style involves pleating the sari and tucking it in at the waist, and then wrapping it around once and draping it from the right hip to the left shoulder. The pallu portion, which is simply the intricately decorated end portion of the cloth, can be left flowing or can be pleated and pinned in place, depending on the preference of the wearer. This is good style of drape for most simple as well as formal saris, as it is quite versatile and suits different types of Indian saree designs very well.
Another unique and well-known saree draping style is the one that is used with Bengali saris. The Bengali saree draping is distinguished by the fact that it uses no pleats at the waist and drapes the saree over each shoulder. This is done by taking the hanging pallu and bringing it to the front under the arm and then draping it over the shoulder. To keep this drape in place, pins as well as saree ornaments (tied to the pallu to weigh it down) are used. This is actually one of the simplest drapes and is distinguished by its graceful and elegant look. It looks best with the typical light-weight cotton or silk Bengali saris with large, attractive borders that contrast with the main body of the sari.
In Gujarat, the sari is also draped over each shoulder but from the back and not the front. This creates a very conservative look as the torso is fully covered. It is preferred with the rich and ornate saris of this region as it allows the designs to be displayed beautifully.
Ultimately, which drape is chosen depends upon the type of sari being worn as well as the comfort level of the wearer. There is no hard and fast rule except for one: the garment has to be draped right and pinned in place to ensure it looks as classy as possible!
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