Wearing a saree with a skirt, commonly known as a petticoat or an inner skirt, is the traditional and fundamental method to drape this elegant garment. The skirt serves as the essential base for tucking in the saree fabric, allowing for proper pleating and a smooth silhouette.
Essential Steps for Draping a Saree with a Skirt
The process involves securing the saree around the skirt to create the desired drape and structure. Follow these steps for a well-draped saree:
1. Prepare Your Foundation: The Skirt (Petticoat)
Begin by wearing your saree petticoat securely around your waist. This inner skirt should be worn snugly, ideally at or just below your navel, as it provides the anchor for the entire saree. Ensure it's comfortable and allows for free movement. The color of the petticoat should generally match your saree to avoid it showing through.
2. Initial Tuck and Wrap
Take one end of your saree and begin by tucking it into the waistband of the petticoat. Start from the right side of your navel, tucking the top edge of the saree fabric into the skirt's waistband. Wrap the saree once around your waist, tucking it in completely as you go.
3. Adjusting the Saree Silhouette
After the initial wrap, focus on adjusting the overall saree silhouette around your body. Smooth out the fabric around your waist and hips. This crucial step involves ensuring the saree lays flat and forms a pleasing shape without being too bulky. You'll want to move the saree fabric around your form, not tucking it into the back completely at this stage, but rather letting it sweep around to create the base of the drape. This allows for a clean, flowing line before the pleating process.
4. Forming and Tucking the Front Pleats
Now, gather the remaining saree fabric from where you completed the first wrap.
- Gather the fabric: Starting from the side (usually the left side of your waist), gather the fabric into equal pleats. The number of pleats typically ranges from five to seven, depending on the length and material of your saree.
- Fold neatly: Each pleat should be neat and even in width.
- Tuck securely: Hold the pleats together, ensuring they are aligned at the bottom, and tuck them firmly into the center front of your petticoat waistband. Make sure they are tucked in securely to prevent them from coming undone.
5. Draping the Pallu
Once the pleats are in place, move to the remaining length of the saree, which is the pallu.
- Gather the pallu: Gather the pallu over your left shoulder (the most common drape, though variations exist).
- Pleating the pallu: Carefully pleat your pallu lengthwise. Hold the end of the pallu, create neat, even pleats, and secure them with a safety pin to your blouse on the shoulder. This keeps the pallu in place and gives it a structured, elegant look.
- Final adjustments: Allow the rest of the pallu to fall gracefully over your back or bring it to the front over your right arm, depending on your preferred style.
Tips for a Perfect Saree Drape
- Choose the Right Petticoat: Opt for a petticoat that is well-fitted and made of a material that allows the saree to glide smoothly, such as cotton or satin.
- Practice Makes Perfect: Saree draping requires practice. Don't get discouraged if your first attempt isn't flawless.
- Use Safety Pins: Strategically placed safety pins are your best friends for keeping the saree secure throughout the day, especially for the pleats and pallu.
- Comfort is Key: Ensure the saree is draped in a way that allows you to walk, sit, and move comfortably.
By utilizing the skirt as a stable base and carefully following these steps, you can achieve a beautiful and classic saree drape.
