3 Ways To Dress In A Sari - WikiHow

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How to Dress in a Sari Download Article Co-authored by Minoti Mehta

Last Updated: July 30, 2025 Approved

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• Wearing it Nivi Style
|
• Wearing it Gujarati Style
|
• Wearing it Indo-Western Style
|
• Q&A
|
• Tips
|
• Warnings
|
• Things You'll Need

|Show more |Show less X

This article was co-authored by Minoti Mehta. Minoti Mehta is the Founder of Vermilion Weddings & Events, an event and wedding planning business based in San Francisco, California. Minoti grew up in the event and wedding planning space and has over five years of event planning experience. She has been invited to participate as a Delegate at five exclusive Event Planner Conferences including Destination Wedding Planners Congress and Planners Xtraordinaire and has become known as one of the Top Wedding and Event Planners in the San Francisco Bay Area. Minoti's work has been featured on NDTV India, Love Stories TV, Maharani Weddings, and WedWise India. Vermilion Weddings & Events was also awarded WeddingWire's Couple's Choice Award in 2018. Minoti has a BS in Hospitality Management and Accounting from the University of San Francisco. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. In this case, several readers have written to tell us that this article was helpful to them, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 1,088,101 times.

A sari is an Indian subcontinental women's garment originated and mainly worn in India. It has been worn historically many times, being the native dress of India. Today, there are several types of saris and many different fashions. The main section is about 6 yards (5.5 m) long, but don't let that frighten you! Dressing in a sari is very easy and it looks gorgeous on anybody.

Steps

Method 1 Method 1 of 3:

Wearing it Nivi Style

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1. 1 Start with having the right clothing on. You'll want to have your shirt or top on (such as a choli), your petticoat (sometimes called an inskirt) on and tied snug, and your shoes on before you start wrapping.
   • The top worn with a saree is typically known as blouse (choli).
   • While not necessarily required, safety pins make all sari wrapping much easier and better looking.
2. 2 Wrap and tuck the starting end. Hold the sari so that the shorter distance goes from your waist to the floor and the long end can be wrapped around. Then, start at one end and tuck the corner of the fabric into your petticoat at your left hip, wrap it around behind you, over your right hip, past your navel, and around again until it reaches your navel once more. Continue to tuck it into your petticoat as you go around like this.[1]
   • Ensure sari is not too high. Ideally, your feet should not be visible from under the sari hem.
   • You can use a safety pin to pin it into place at your waist right now, but the petticoat should be secure enough to hold it in place.
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3. 3 Pleat the other end. Switch to the other, more decorated end of the sari (called the pallu). You'll want to make the pleats that go over your shoulder.[2] Do this by using your fingers span to space the pleats, and fold them across the short end of the sari.
   • You can use a flat hair clip to keep the pleats in place until you're done with your look. Just don't forget to remove it later!
4. 4 Drape and secure the pleated end. Reach the pleated section around behind you and drape the pleated end from the right hip and then over your left shoulder. Adjust it to the length you want and then pin it to the shoulder strap of your choli or top.
5. 5 Cover and tuck the hip. Pulling the fabric from the top left of the skirt until it is taut at the back, drape it diagonally so that it covers your exposed love handle (or place where a love handle would be) and then tuck the fabric into the waistband at the navel.
6. 6 Pleat the remainder of the fabric. Adjust the fabric so that you have a loop in front of you of the fabric that is making up the waistline. Pleat this remaining fabric to reduce the size of the loop until it fits your waist. You do not need to pleat until it is very tight; a little loose fabric is desirable.
7. 7 Tuck and pin the pleats. Pin the front skirt pleats together at the top, adjust them to match the length of the front of the skirt, and then tuck them into the waistband.
8. 8 Pin it in place as necessary. You can pin your sari in more places if you want to make it more secure. A pin at the armpit on the right can help make sure it stays draped over your right breast, for example.
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Method 2 Method 2 of 3:

Wearing it Gujarati Style

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1. 1 Start with having the right clothing on. You'll want to have your shirt or top on (such as a choli), your petticoat (sometimes called an inskirt) on and tied snug, and your shoes on before you start wrapping.[3]
   • While not necessarily required, safety pins make all sari wrapping much easier and better looking.
2. 2 Wrap and tuck the starting end. Hold the sari so that the shorter distance goes from your waist to the floor and the long end can be wrapped around. Then, start at one end and tuck the corner of the fabric into your petticoat at your left hip, wrap it around behind you, over your right hip, past your navel, and around again until it reaches your navel once more. Continue to tuck it into your petticoat as you go around like this.
   • You can use a safety pin to pin it into place at your waist right now, but the petticoat should be secure enough to hold it in place.
3. 3 Create the front pleats. With the fabric at your navel, make six-seven pleats. Adjust the pleats to face to the right side and then tuck in the pleats. Tuck any fabric necessary to get a clean look on the right hip.
4. 4 Pleat the other end. Switch to the other, more decorated end of the sari (called the pallu). You'll want to make the pleats that go over your shoulder.[4] Do this by using your fingers span to space the pleats, and fold them across the short end of the sari.
   • You can use a flat hair clip to keep the pleats in place until you're done with your look. Just don't forget to remove it later!
5. 5 Place the shoulder pleats. Wrap the pallu end around behind you and then drape it over the right shoulder. It should reach down to around the top of your leg, but you can adjust it to whatever suits you. Pin the pallu in place at the shoulder to secure it.[5]
6. 6 Shift the pleats. Take the left side of the pleats and draw them over to your left hip. Pin the corner in place there.
7. 7 Adjust and pin any fabric as necessary. Adjust any fabric that remains until it looks tidy and ready to go. You can pin it in more places if you want the style to be more secure.
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Method 3 Method 3 of 3:

Wearing it Indo-Western Style

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1. 1 Start with having the right clothing on. With this style, you'll mix Indian and Western styles by wearing leggings or jeggings instead of a petticoat, and a clubbing style or other fancy top instead of a choli. Again, be sure to have your shoes on before you start wrapping.[6]
2. 2 Make a pleated section. Begin pleating down the long side of the sari until you have a decent sized section of pleats.
3. 3 Tuck in the pleated section. Tuck the pleated section into the waistband, centered below your navel, such that the rest of the sari is coming from the innermost pleat and to the left. Then tuck along the waist further, until it reaches your spine or just to your right side.
4. 4 Pleat the other end. Switch to and pleat the other end of the sari as normal, across the short side.
5. 5 Wrap the shoulder section. Pass the shoulder section behind you and then wrap it so that it passes from your right hip and then over your left shoulder.
6. 6 Adjust the fabric. Adjust the hang of the sari so that a deep U is created at the right hip and the shoulder pleats hang at a level that pleases you.
7. 7 Pin it in place as needed. Pin it at your shoulder to keep the sari in place, as well as anywhere else you need to in order to get the drape you want. Enjoy your new sari style!
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Community Q&A

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• Question My grandmother got me a beautiful sari that I absolutely love, and I want to wear it all the time, including in public. Is this ok? Or should I only wear the sari at home and with friends? Community Answer That's probably a better question for your friends and family, though I don't see why wearing it in public would be a problem. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 6 Helpful 27
• Question What is the difference between an attached and an unattached shirt? Community Answer An unattached undershirt is an undershirt that didn't come with the top shirt. So the attached undershirt is sewed in to the top shirt. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 6 Helpful 17
• Question How do I take off a sari? Community Answer Tip: if you're wearing churas (bangles) take them off first. Unpin the sari. Then unwrap yourself out of it. Take off any other pins that you had on your sari. The kurtha (top) has a zipper sometimes. Unzip the zipper and take it off over your head. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 8 Helpful 19

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Tips

• Try wearing bangles with your sari to bring attention away from your bare arms. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
• Wear it with elegant sandals, boots, or any other elegant shoe. No sneakers please! Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
• You can attach the pleats to your petticoat with safety pins. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

Show More Tips Submit a Tip All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published Name Please provide your name and last initial Submit Thanks for submitting a tip for review! Advertisement

Warnings

• Make sure to pin your sari to your blouse because if it falls, it will be considered taboo. Thanks Helpful 55 Not Helpful 13
• A starched cotton or tissue sari is for the pros, as it can get crushed easily. So is an extremely slinky, hard-to-drape material. Thanks Helpful 44 Not Helpful 12
• The petticoat should never be visible from under the sari when you stand. Thanks Helpful 52 Not Helpful 18
• Make sure that your pleats are clean! Uneven pleats give an awkward appearance. Thanks Helpful 6 Not Helpful 0
• When bringing the pallu over your shoulder, make sure the bit behind falls above your knee, or you may trip. Thanks Helpful 41 Not Helpful 18
• Make sure that the fall is on the inside near your feet. Thanks Helpful 37 Not Helpful 17
• Be sure that your petticoat is tight! It's better to be a bit too tight, than too loose. Otherwise, your sari will start sagging, and the pleats will come out. Thanks Helpful 6 Not Helpful 1
• Make sure your pleats are deep enough. Otherwise, you may have problems walking without having them slip out. Thanks Helpful 5 Not Helpful 1

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Things You'll Need

• A sari
• A blouse
• A petticoat
• Safety pins
• Shoes

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References

1. ↑ https://www.utsavpedia.com/attires/nivi-style-saree/
2. ↑ https://www.utsavpedia.com/attires/nivi-style-saree/
3. ↑ http://www.utsavfashion.com/saree/how-to-wear-saree#snap4
4. ↑ https://indianexpress.com/article/lifestyle/fashion/navratri-2018-durga-puja-2018-how-to-wear-gujarati-style-sari-5405875/
5. ↑ https://indianexpress.com/article/lifestyle/fashion/navratri-2018-durga-puja-2018-how-to-wear-gujarati-style-sari-5405875/
6. ↑ http://www.utsavfashion.com/saree/how-to-wear-saree#snap9
7. Videos provided by Glamrs.com

About This Article

Co-authored by: Minoti Mehta Event & Wedding Planner This article was co-authored by Minoti Mehta. Minoti Mehta is the Founder of Vermilion Weddings & Events, an event and wedding planning business based in San Francisco, California. Minoti grew up in the event and wedding planning space and has over five years of event planning experience. She has been invited to participate as a Delegate at five exclusive Event Planner Conferences including Destination Wedding Planners Congress and Planners Xtraordinaire and has become known as one of the Top Wedding and Event Planners in the San Francisco Bay Area. Minoti's work has been featured on NDTV India, Love Stories TV, Maharani Weddings, and WedWise India. Vermilion Weddings & Events was also awarded WeddingWire's Couple's Choice Award in 2018. Minoti has a BS in Hospitality Management and Accounting from the University of San Francisco. This article has been viewed 1,088,101 times. 194 votes - 79% Co-authors: 92 Updated: July 30, 2025 Views: 1,088,101 Categories: Featured Articles | Dresses and Skirts Article SummaryX

To dress in a sari, have your top, petticoat, and shoes on before you start. To wear the sari Nivi style, tuck the top corner into your petticoat at your left hip. Wrap it around your back, to your right hip, and in front of your navel. Repeat this wrapping motion until the sari reaches your navel again and make sure it’s nicely tucked into your petticoat. Pleat the decorated end of the sari, using your fingers to space out the pleats. Drape the pleated section over your left shoulder and pull the skirt taut at the back. Pin all of the pleats in place and use more pins to make the sari feel secure. For more information about dressing in a sari, like how to wear it Indo-Western style, read on. Did this summary help you?YesNo

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Reader Success Stories

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  Sofia Mandlik

  Aug 30, 2016

  "Thanks, wikiHow, for teaching how to tie a sari. I needed it desperately. You give importance to even small..." more

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Yes No Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Co-authored by: Minoti Mehta Event & Wedding Planner 194 votes - 79% Click a star to vote Co-authors: 92 Updated: July 30, 2025 Views: 1,088,101

Sofia Mandlik

Aug 30, 2016

"Thanks, wikiHow, for teaching how to tie a sari. I needed it desperately. You give importance to even small..." more

Lola Salis

Feb 12, 2018

"Really informative and easy-to-follow steps. I love wikiHow!" Rated this article:

Siddhartha Chakraborti

Oct 21, 2020

"I really liked the way it was demonstrated. "

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Sep 23, 2019

"Nice method of sari wearing." Share yours! More success stories Hide success stories

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