Sari – A Wearing-Experience

25. December 2018

 

 

In India (and perhaps other countries too), people sometimes offer to wear the local clothes for a photo, for example. I always thought that was pretty silly.

 

But when I was once dressed privately in Rajasthan, I changed my mind. Dressing up and getting dressed up leads to nice and interesting conversations. And it gives you a little more feeling for others when you slip into their clothes. And so, in Kerala, I accepted the offer to be wrapped in a sari.

 

First the basic material: a blouse (closed at the front), a petticoat and a 5 metre long piece of fabric for wrapping.

 

 

The blouse (to be fastened at the front) and skirt are simply put on. The petticoat must fit snugly around the belly. The large piece of fabric is then simply tucked in at the top (and the length measured) and the wrapping begins. First of all, I had to put on heels to create a more attractive figure.

 

 

Folds must be made several times to ensure correct wrapping. The first time is when you have reached the belly again with the wrap.

 

 

My dressmaker wasn’t quite so sure about the correct pleating and so mum came to the rescue. Women don’t actually wear saris until after the wedding. But on special occasions, exceptions are made beforehand, e.g. as a guest at a wedding.

 

 

A lot of safety pins are used to fasten the other pleats and the draping over the shoulder. This means you don’t have to worry about anything slipping out of place. Then add a little jewellery and the sarilady is finished!

 

 

What surprised me the most was that all the folds give you a lot of space with your legs and you don’t have to stagger around but can take long steps. After some practice, the wearer manages to wrap herself up on her own and only needs 5-10 minutes to do so! I haven’t practised that often…