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Saree Draping Tips to Make the Most of Your Saris
The Art of Wearing a Saree
Considered one of the most elegant apparel, Saree’s is also the favourite for most Indian women. Hence it is important that you enjoy every bit of wearing a saree! This fabric is very versatile and can be styled be worn in any way you like. To have a perfect ensemble it is important to have the right combinations to complement the look.
The underskirt or popularly known as Petticoat should be distinct to your choice of the saree. Underskirts also come in different fabrics. A cotton petticoat is most comfortable during warm or humid weather and would work well with cotton & handloom sarees. If you choose a sheer saree, get an underskirt of the same colour or a shade lighter. Silk underskirts are good for winters paired with silk sarees. Since chiffon and georgette sarees are mostly transparent, a satin underskirt would be appropriate with its smooth finish and you can switch the drawstring on it with a hook or zipper for a cleaner look. For a more vibrant and modern touch, consider wearing a lace or net saree over a heavily embellished satin underskirt.
The blouse should be well-fitting and comfortable. When choosing a saree, go for something that drapes well around you and complements your complexion. While it is good to experiment with the style of draping, the way you do it is equally significant. A bad drape may make you the talk of the town for the wrong reasons!
Right Colour, Right Fabric & Right Body Type!
There are numerous draping styles but very few unique to your body type. For a curvaceous and heavy bottom body structure, linens and georgettes work best for their effortless and breathable fabrics. For a heavier torso, sarees with heavy embroidery, bold prints with a higher drape are recommended. For women with an overall heavy body structure, chiffons, silk and handloom sarees go best. Women with hourglass figures have a variety in chiffons, georgettes with minimal brocade and beadwork, dark colours or underlying prints through the entire saree. Slim waists and tall figures look good in cotton, raw silk, tussar, linen and the usual flowy fabrics.
In addition to choosing the right saree fabric that matches your body type, it is very important that you choose the right blouse also. If your body structure is apple shaped or you have a heavy bust, then a blouse with a deep back neckline would look good on you, with no embellishments though. For a smaller body type, a Chinese collar, halter neck or in-cut sleeved blouse would look regal. For a broad shoulder built, a boat neck and short sleeves work well, while for a smaller frame built, blouses with rectangular or square necks look nice. With skinny arms, puffed sleeves with high neck blouses and for heavy arms, ¾ sleeves with deep back neckline blouses work well.
Pleating Perfect
Draping a saree is no less an art and is one that should be done from the heart to make the best impression. If you’ve mastered the art of pleating, then you’ve done it all! Whether you pleat up on your own or take someone’s help, making use of some quick tips are a must.
Different sarees require somewhat different ways of pleating. For a cotton saree, it is important to pleat up first and then align them. Ironing the pleats is much recommended next to ensure they stay in place, this is mostly required when you’re getting ready for a traditional event. Generally, you make pleats while draping the saree, and you can secure the pleats using your fingers. When you make the first pleat, wrap it around your finger at a span width, for the next one, use another finger and repeat the first step until you’ve made 4-5 pleats. Once done, remove your fingers and secure the pleats with safety pins before tucking them in. These days a magnetic pleat maker’s available in the market to aid pleat making as well. You can just work with this pleat maker and a few clips to hold the pleats in place before tucking them.
10 Budget Friendly Yet Elegant Sarees Below Rs. 500
Georgette Embroidered Saree
Made of silk originally, Georgette is created with twisted yarns, with its featured crinkles made by alternating S and Z twist yarns in both warp and weft. This Georgette Embroidered Saree is navy blue in colour with an orange and pink border and a 0.80m blouse piece in Bangalore Silk. The saree’s pattern is in line with the trending designs of the market and it’s lightweight fabric will keep you comfortable. The Saree is priced at Rs. 499. Get this from Amazon.
Printed Net Saree
Net is a material in which the yarns are knotted, looped or fused at intersections to create a pattern of open spaces between the yarns. The Yellow Printed Net Saree comes with a printed red silk blouse. The saree has a multi-coloured designer border and print over a beige body and a tiny part of the drape. The saree is slim fit and can be adjusted according to your requirement. It is priced at Rs. 410.
Jacquard Silk Saree
A popular variety of saree in India, the Jacquard is made with an intricate pattern fused directly into the weave. It is produced on an exclusive loom which also creates other fabrics like damask and brocade. With an embellished print, this mustard coloured saree is made in Jacquard Silk and comes with a blouse piece. The saree is good for casual wear, with a gold border and is priced at Rs. 499.
Printed Cotton Saree
Cotton sarees lead as the traditional form of Sarees, worn mostly for daily use. They not only add an ethnic feel to the apparel but also look classy in the most simple way. This Printed Cotton Saree is coloured in platinum orange with a self-textured pattern and is suitable for regular wear. It has a zari weave design along the border and comes with a blouse piece in the same colour. The cotton saree is priced at Rs. 449.
Lace Work Saree
Made of a blend of linen, cotton and other synthetic fibres, Laces a fabric accentuates the elegance and visual appeal of any saree, is a trend and quite popular among the ladies. This beige coloured Lace Work Saree is weaved into the silk fabric and has a beautiful printed design. It comes with a blouse piece in the same colour and is priced at Rs. 249.
Printed Green Chiffon Saree
A light, soft and sheer fabric, Chiffon has a slightly rough feel to it but is quite a delicate, breathable, yet durable material. The Printed Green Chiffon Saree is a lovely patterned saree which is lightweight and comfortable measuring 6.3m with a 0.80m blouse piece. It is priced at Rs. 390.
Self Design Poly Silk Saree
A unique blend of polyester and silk, Poly Silk Saree is both durable and rich in texture, colourfully vibrant too. Styled for regular wear, this self-designed poly silk printed saree is 5.5m long and comes with a self-designed printed blouse piece. In a regal combination of red and brown, this saree is priced at Rs. 359.
Printed Cotton Silk
Cotton Silk Saree is made of cotton and silk and are known to be more economically accessible and popular. This beige cotton silk printed saree comes in a beautiful colour blend of pink and beige with an attached blouse piece and is priced at Rs. 440.
Bhagalpuri Saree
Bhagalpuri Saree is a dying style of silk sarees and other clothes from Bhagalpur, Bihar and is normally used for making sarees. The navy coloured and Florence printed Bhagalpuri Saree comes with a striped contrast border with an attached blouse piece in printed pink. It is priced at Rs. 416.
Printed Art Silk Saree
Art silk is made of artificial synthetic fibre, a commonly used fabric in today’s times, immensely popular for its stylishness and low-cost pricing. This Black Coloured Printed Art Silk Saree with a lovely print work on its drape and border and comes with an unstitched blouse piece in art silk. Appropriate for casual wear and social meets, the saree is light weight and soft on the skin. It comes in a beautiful blend of black and maroon colours in print with a tinge of mustard yellow. The art silk saree is priced at Rs. 399.
Bonus Tip: Tips to Keep in Mind While Wearing a Saree
A saree can make you look sexy, glamorous and beautiful in the most convenient way possible. If not worn properly, it can bear heavy on your personality too. To make your saree wearing a dazzling experience, here are a few quick tips to keep in mind.
- Saree Style – Never wear a completely plain saree, look for at least a narrow border for an elegant dress up. You could break the boring monotony by experimenting with the style of your blouse. When choosing a net or georgette saree, keep the drape flowing. Don’t pleat the drape.
- A Level Higher – Always wear heels before draping the saree, as it would give you the exact height and no re-adjustments would be required. Avoid wearing platforms or wedges, flats or slippers. High heels or stilettos are perfect for a saree, making you look taller and slimmer.
- Aiding in Excess – Securing your saree and pleats are highly recommended to carry it with ease, however, overdoing is not. When you secure the saree, ensure the safety pins are concealed beneath the fabric, and you use the bare minimum that is required. Avoid putting too many on a delicate fabric which may end in the saree tearing up.
- Over Accesorising – Saree by itself gives you a lovely and heavy persona. You need not to add heavy jewellery to it. Accessorise with delicate jewellery if you must, with a choice of subtle earrings, thin bracelets, long chains and small pendants. These will not only highlight your features but also make you look younger. A saree has a grace of its own and its best complemented with a clutch or a small bag.
- Experimenting Styles – Whilst there are varied ways of wearing a saree, unless you’re well versed with them, its best to avoid trying them, thereby doing away with unnecessary complications, wastage of time, efforts and mood swings! Further, your choice of a saree is best matched with the kind of event you’ll be wearing it for. If you choose a light-weight or pale coloured saree for a formal occasion like a wedding, it will highlight you for the wrong reasons.
- Complementing Aides – It may be tempting to pair your saree with a glamorous blouse or a tight fitting one at that, but if it doesn’t sit well with your body type, it can ruin your entire look. In the same breath, a loose-fitting blouse will also spoil the style. One saree can be paired with differently styled blouses, giving you a new look every single time. Experiment with different necklines, usually at the back or with the sleeves. When it comes to the petticoat, avoid wearing a flared underskirt, as it can make you look heavier and shapeless. It also will make managing you attire difficult. Hence a plain and fitting petticoat is highly recommended.
Less is More! The saree is a glamorous attire and you can enjoy by keeping yourself comfortably covered with it and avoiding unnecessary exposure. The way you drape your saree can reveal a lot about your personality and needs no skin show as such. Drape the saree at a comfortable height, and carry it in the classy way.
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Consider Your Budget, Style And Body Type
Saree is the quintessential Indian traditional wear, which women can carry off with great panache. Every woman can look good in this wonderful garment, provided she chooses the right material and drapes it well. Sometimes what looks good in the shop looks awful when worn. So take care to choose a saree that suits your body type, complexion, and of course, budget - consider the clour combinations, the patterns and the material itself.