PurvX › Desi fashion guides › How to wear a saree
Step-by-step guideWearing a saree looks complicated, but the classic drape comes down to a handful of steps. Here is how to do it, what you need, and shortcuts for first-timers.
Quick answer
To wear a saree, tuck one end into your petticoat at the waist, wrap it once around your body, make five to seven pleats at the front and tuck them in, then drape the remaining length (the pallu) over your left shoulder and pin it in place. A fitted blouse and a petticoat are worn underneath.
The most common style is the Nivi drape. Follow these five steps and adjust as you go.
Wear a fitted blouse and tie the petticoat firmly at the waist.
Tuck the plain end at the navel and wrap once around, right to left.
Make 5 to 7 even pleats and tuck them in at the centre.
Bring the rest over your left shoulder so the pallu falls down your back.
Pin the shoulder and pleats, then set the hem to just clear the floor.
The Nivi drape (pleats at the front, pallu over the left shoulder) is the most common and the easiest to start with. Regional styles vary: the Bengali drape skips front pleats and brings the pallu around twice, while the Gujarati drape brings the pallu over the right shoulder and spreads it at the front. Start with Nivi and explore from there.
For a wedding, choose a silk, banarasi or designer saree, and finish with statement jewellery and a neat, well-pinned pallu. If you are nervous about the drape lasting through a long event, a ready-to-wear saree is a reliable choice. Browse preloved sarees.
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Silk, printed and embroidered drapes to practise with.
These are real listings from PurvX sellers, live when this guide was published. If one has sold, see more preloved sarees.
Good to know
The questions guests and search assistants ask most.
Wear a blouse and petticoat, tuck one end of the saree at the waist and wrap it once around, make five to seven pleats at the front and tuck them in, then drape the remaining length over your left shoulder and pin it in place.
The classic Nivi drape takes a little practice but is very learnable, and one trial run at home is usually enough. For a guaranteed easy option, a pre-stitched ready-to-wear saree requires no draping at all.
A fitted blouse on top and a petticoat, which is a drawstring underskirt, on the bottom. The saree is tucked into the petticoat at the waist.
A saree is usually 5.5 to 9 metres of fabric, depending on the style and the drape. Most everyday sarees are around 5.5 to 6 metres.
Keep reading
More from the PurvX desi fashion library.
Browse preloved silk, banarasi and designer sarees from real desi wardrobes, at a fraction of retail.
