I’m scared.  I’m really really scared.  In about a month, I will be traveling across the country for Vishnu’s cousin’s wedding.  I’m scared.

No, silly, not because I’ll be meeting most of his family for the first time (as his fiancé).  But now that I think about it… Winking smile

For the first time in my life, I will have to put on a sari without my mom.  I’m scared. 

There is something so daunting about taking yards of fabric and wrapping it around you.  I don’t know how my mom does it 10 minutes flat.  It’s perfection every time – the folds, the pleats, the draping, etc. 

My sari skills, on the other hand, are not so great.  I think I have the basics down, but when it comes to creating those crisp pleats, I fail horribly. 

Saree Fun 017Saree Fun 019

My first go around, I didn’t even get to the pleating step…I was a tangled mess.  It’s a good thing I can laugh at myself. Smile

After a couple of tries, I kinda sorta got a hang of it…

Saree Fun 021Saree Fun 022

Ok, so it’s not perfect, but I’m getting there.  I definitely need a few more practice sessions.  Ok, fine…many more.  Ha!

I have a little less then one month to perfect my sari wearing skills.  Vishnu’s mom asked me if I could help a few of his aunts with their saris before the wedding.  When I told her I don’t know how to put them on, she laughed…nervously.  She was expecting me to be better than her…oops!  That’s when I knew I had to learn.  So here I am! 

Have you ever worn a sari?  What’s something you really rely on someone else for?

By Parita

22 thoughts on “Putting on a Sari: Take 1”
  1. i definitely agree with the first two comments! every time ive had to wear a sari by myself (which has only been like 5 times, thank god), i use this video:

    and then proceed to push in about 100 safety pins!
    =) good luck!!!

  2. I’ve never worn a sari, but wish I had the occasion. They are so pretty!

    To this day I cannot tie a pretty bow. I always rely on the nearest competent-ooking female to “fix” me. 🙂

  3. Oh my gosh I just recently went through this whole thing! I had to YouTube it, and assign Rishi to be my official holder. I think putting on a sari is definitely a two person job, and Aunties help more than hubbies. When I was practicing I came out wearing only my blouse and petti coat with my sari just hanging around my neck and Rishi goes “sweetie! That looks great! You figured it out!” lol there some just some things you need a girl for.

  4. i usually pin & steam the patlis together ahead of time…saves LOTS of time when you actually have to put it on! plus you can perfect it before you travel…much better than when you’re in a time crunch before the wedding. if everything’s pinned ahead of time, it literally takes less than 10 minutes to put the sari. just tuck & pin when you need to put the sari on!!

  5. PROPS TO YOU! I hate wearing saris because I am so clueless about tying them. I always end up having to request someone for help (gotta love aunts/cousins)! Also I am still yet to master how to walk gracefully in them, the last time I wore one the whole thing almost unraveled on me eeks!

  6. I liked Kamal’s idea about pinning and preparing the whole thing with all folds and pleats together. It will make it easier than just start wraping the whole thing. Let’s try to do it next week when we meet…you are so cute my Sunshine:) love ya…

    1. i do it for every wedding…my mom started doing it too! so much faster and stress-free to put on. parita – i’ll show you how to do it when you come to dallas!

  7. I agree with Kamal…I get my mom to drape my sari on me (pin the pleats and the pallu)…fold it and when you go to the wedding you can wrap it around you in 2 minutes flat and you’re good to go x

  8. I think sari’s are gorgeous and have always wanted one – but I didn’t want to wear it wrong AND wanted to make sure that I was being respectful!

    I had no idea they were so complicated, but can’t wait to see more pictures!

  9. I’ve never worn a sari and had no idea it was such a complicated process! I’m sure you’ll get it with some more practice 🙂 For months I had to call my boyfriend at work because I couldn’t work the TV. How embarrassing for me. And if I was a boy I would need someone help me tie a tie!

  10. I’ve worn a sari and I think that’s the same video I used! It’s a funny story, actually, linked to in my about page. You should read it. It was a disaster! All three girls I was there with were Catholic and they go “Catholic girls don’t really wear saris”. it turned out none of them had EVER worn one, and I was totally relying on them to help me. Disaster!!!

  11. Yay Saree. Its exciting when I talk about it, not so much when worn for a long time. Undoubtedly, one of the most graceful attire!

    Had we been in the same city, I would have given you tutorials on wearing a saree 🙂

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