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Elegance Redefined
7 Facts You Might Not Know About The Sari
1. A sari is more than just ‘an uncut piece of handwoven cloth’
Traditionally, the sari has been defined as a single piece of unstitched fabric, often with heavier sections to allow it to drape correctly. Its border (akin to a hem) would be woven with a heavier density, as would its ‘pallu’ (the often decorative end piece).
But today, its definition extends to include textiles woven by mill or by hand, often with one consistent density. The term ‘sari’ has also evolved to become inclusive of contemporary materials, including cotton, silk, synthetic fibre and others. This latter point is contentious to sari ‘purists’; but the reality is that millions of women wear 100% polyester saris, most purchased for less than $10USD.
2. A sari can be draped over 100 ways
If you were to Google ‘how to wear a sari’, hundreds of videos would offer tips on how to perfectly drape your sari. Often people think there’s only one way to wear a sari – i.e the ‘Nivi’ drape.
But the truth is that there are hundreds of different ways to drape a sari. Most of the drape styles are regionally specific and – just like food and language in India – the drapes are a result of context, geography and function.
3. A sari ranges from 3.5 yards to 9 yards in length
The sari is most commonly thought to be 9 yards in length. But given the various draping styles, saris often require different lengths for different drapes.
4. Wearing a sari requires precisely *zero* safety pins
Many people think a sari is at risk of ‘falling off
and use dozens of safety pins to secure it. Indeed, safety pins can be used to feel more secure, but they are not actually needed.
In fact, when overused, safety pins often make the garment more rigid, which is not how it's supposed to be worn.
5. The sari is easy to wear – and can be worn by anyone
Wearing a sari is more akin to making a sandwich or sending an email than making a soufflé or launching a rocket. It has the appearance and reputation of being difficult to wear, but ask any one of the millions of women who wear one every day – it’s not. The sari transcends socio-economic divisions and is seen as an egalitarian garment.
6. The sari supports millions of handloom weavers in India
Although current records in India don’t provide exact numbers, textile scholars and craft advocates are in agreement that sari-weaving comprises a sizeable portion of the handloom and embroidery sector in India. According to the Textile Ministry Annual Report 2016, current estimates put the number of craftspeople employed by the industry at 11 million.
7. Saris are sentimental
Saris often evoke a feeling of nostalgia and memory, associating certain saris with particular moments or events, or with the memory of your grandmother, for example. Saris are often passed down from one generation to the next, as part of a wedding trousseau or given as gifts for milestone moments.
As well as being purely functional garments, like many aspects of our clothes, saris are deeply connected to our memory and identity.
