A quintessential item of Indian fashion is undoubtedly the Sari. In fact, when considering Indian style, the first thing that many often think of is the sari.
The word “sari” itself comes from the Sanskrit word “sati”, which means strip of cloth. From the very meaning of the word, the Indian sari, which can also be spelled as “saree”, is one long piece of cloth, which is unstitched and usually measures between four and a half to nine yards long and twenty-four to forty-seven inches wide. Now, a sari is not just any simple piece of cloth. Sarees come in a wide range of eye-catching colors, and striking designs that often feature various prints, embroideries, and embellishments, and are made of different fabrics. There are said to be approximately thirty different regional varieties of Sarees in India. The nation’s well-known tradition and expertise in dyeing, printing, and silk-weaving fabrics all come alive in the countless saris worn by women in India and beyond the country’s shores. The innumerable designs and styles of saris that one can choose from is matched by the many different ways that one can wear a sari. A sari’s long length allows one to drape it comfortably and fashionably around the body, which is particularly favorable when worn in tropical countries and hot climates like India.
Different regions in India have different styles and techniques for draping the sari. There are also different draping styles that are appropriate for different occasions, including the Bengali, Nivi, Marathi, and Gujarati styles, to name just a few of them. One of the most popular ways of wearing a sari is the Nivi style, which pairs the sari with a tight-fitting blouse, called a choli, and a long skirt or petticoat, known as a ghagra. The choli usually ends below the bust, in the style of a crop top as women today would be familiar with. The ghagra skirt, on the other hand, sits right at the waist and falls to the floor. However, one can actually drape a sari around the body and forego wearing a blouse or skirt with it altogether. While it may seem like the weaving, embellishments, embroideries and the many other different designs that saris are very well-known for are purely for aesthetics, there’s more to it than meets the eye. Saris are actually specially constructed and designed with heavier sections in order for it to drape around the body just right. A sari’s border or side hem is often woven with a heavier density. The same goes for the sari’s decorative end piece, known as the “pallu” or “anchal”, which is heavily adorned in order for it to drape beautifully along the body. The origins of the sari have clear and close ties to the very history of India. It’s a brilliant piece of fashion that transcends time and will never go out of style. Today, more than a long strip of unstitched cloth and more than a part of one’s wardrobe, the sari is draped around the nation’s identity and woven with its rich and vibrant culture.
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