👀 6 yards ahead of time

#267 | Never too late to say Sari

I love wearing saris. I really do.

Most of my friends, however, take issue with the garment for many reasons - it's difficult to walk in a sari, they say; it's so inconvenient, they say.

My extensive collection of saris languished in my closet for a few years for a different reason - even though I know how to drape one very well, they just didn't feel exactly right. I wasn't a fan of holding the garment together with multiple safety pins, the pallu was too cumbersome, and depending on the material, it all just sat rather awkwardly on my skinny frame. Most of all, I'd stopped wearing dresses, skirts, or anything too femme, and the sari began to take on a femme connotation for me - we've sort of become conditioned to think of it as a formal garment associated with grace, gravitas, and occasion. But, the sari is what you make of it. It's a beautiful one-size-fits-all piece that can be easily used by a glamorous bride, a working woman, anyone, really.

I spotted a few accounts on Instagram that researched different sari drapes, more than just the Nivi drape that we're now accustomed to seeing (bet you didn't know it had a name).

These accounts opened up a world of possibilities.

The sari as a dhoti? Or a dress? Without an underskirt? I'm all for it.

A few clicks later, I found myself on Border&Fall's project, The Sari Series. The agency's How-To-Drape playlist is an extensive and accessible documentation of regional sari draping styles from all around the country. Any sari novice can learn to drape with their short, step-by-step videos. They have over 80 styles, so there is definitely something for everyone. My favourite bit - you get to ditch the underskirt.

It's helped me perceive the sari very, very differently, and now I wear mine with an extra spring in my step. You know, because walking isn't encumbered anymore.

Here's my favourite drape of the lot:

So pull out some of your forgotten saris (or your friend's or your mom's) and give some of these a try.

Pai