With draping evolving over the years, it has become an inseparable part of our fashion. Let’s focus on how draping evolved within the Indian subcontinent. Fortunately, we have been in a country of drapes right from our evolution till date. And over time, it has, unknowingly become an integral part of our lives. Throughout the nation, people from all sections of the society, regions and genders, are making use of different types of drapes in their daily life, every day. And the drape, we are discussing, is none other than our timeless favorite ‘Sarees’.

Sarees are one of the world’s oldest and perhaps the only surviving unstitched garment from the past. Over the millennia, it has not only become a sensuous, glamorous all-time-wear for women, but also the ‘canvas’ for weavers and printers to create artistic patterns on! Originally, it all began with just a loin cloth draped in a kachchha or short dhoti style. Different parts of the Indian subcontinent adapted to draping a single piece of unstitched fabric/cloth in a variety of ways such that it could be embraced equally by men and women for daily, ritual and even festive purposes.

 Over time women started covering the upper body parts too and thus evolved the most versatile draping style, where one single long piece of fabric was used to cover the whole body.

 The word ‘Sari’, in Sanskrit, translates as “strip of cloth”, and it usually measures 6 to 8 meters in length. There are many different ways to drape the cloth, although it’s usually wrapped around the waist a few times, pleated and tucked into the waistband, with the remaining fabric loosely drapes over (either of the) shoulders.

The simple yet elegant piece of tradition, (of significant cultural importance) has travelled a long way. From our villages to India Fashion Week, to New York Fashion Week, to the Red carpets of Cannes Film Festival, at the French Riviera, it has attained a remarkable position with a lengthy list of admirers all across the world!

To sum up: “Saree is a timeless fashion statement, that just refuses to retire . . .and we do not complain!” Whether in vibrant youth days or during the graceful twilight years, traditional or modern, it never fails to complement and enhances the eternal beauty of a woman.