The soft and sweet Gujarati culture wins hearts and minds in the blink of an eye. When it comes to culture, the traditional Gujarati ensemble is ruling the fashion chart for ages. Even I’m a die-hard fan of Gujrati-style saree draping and have been carrying it on many occasions. I feel that the seedha pallu saree is more refreshing than ordinary styles, providing me with confidence over the entire outfit.
Oh, you too love to wear a Gujarati saree? But, alas, don’t know how to drape one, right? Worry no more as I’ll share the ultimate step-by-step guide of “how to wear Gujarati saree” with all of you. Stay tuned!
How to Wear Gujarati Saree?
The Gujarati saree is also known as the seedha pallu style. Unlike ordinary styles, we drape the Gujarati saree in anticlockwise fashion. Right at the end of draping, you need to bring the pallu from back to front on your right shoulder and tuck the free-end in your left waist.
I’m sure you got the gist of wearing a Gujarati saree by now. Without any delay, let’s jump into better knowing the seedha pallu style saree draping technique.
Step by Step Guide to Wearing Gujarati Saree
Wearing a Gujarati saree is simple and manageable enough to carry in a day-long event. When draping a saree in the Gujarati way, you need to remember that the apparel will wind around your body in an anticlockwise direction. Also, the front pallu is the essence of Gujarati sarees. So, here are the steps to wear a Gujarati saree while keeping all the aforesaid points in mind.
Step 1: Select a georgette and chiffon saree for the perfect Gujarati look. Also, a saree with an intricate pallu will look the best for your purpose.
Step 2: Choose a matching blouse and petticoat for your Gujarati saree. You can also wear a saree shapewear if you want.
Step 3. Wear the blouse and petticoat before draping the saree on yourself. Keep a bunch of safety pins ready near your hand.
Step 4: Step inside your heels before beginning the draping to estimate the gap between the ground and the garment appropriately.
Step 5: Mostly, the pallu has a heavier Karigari or a distinct palette than the remaining body. Also, the bottom part is the one having a stitched fall and lesser details than the pallu. So, initially, recognize the pallu and then proceed towards the draping.
Step 6: Take the non-pallu side of your saree and adjust the height from the ground. Now, start tucking the upper edge of your saree in your underskirt from right to left. Avoid draping the saree in the same place more than once.
Step 7: Keep tucking the saree around your waist and complete one full circle to reach the point from where you had started. Tuck the saree neatly to get the finest Gujarati look.
Step 8: Now, take the loose end of your saree and tuck it in your left waist by keeping some fabric hanging at the front. You can pin the portion with the petticoat for a tightly draped look.
Step 9: Cross over the loose end of your saree from the back, and bring the pallu to the front on your right shoulder. This is the most distinguishing step in Gujarati-style saree draping.
Step 10. Make small pleats on your pallu (around 4-5), and shake them gently to organize them well. Your saree might tend to slip while pleating. So, use your thumb and hold each pleat in place firmly before making the new one. At last, safeguard your pallu with the blouse using a safety pin.
Step 11: Now, take the frontal untucked part of your saree and make well-aligned pleats. Use box pleats with both-sided grooves in this portion. Hold the pleats strongly, give them a gentle shake and pull them straight using your other hand. There are no limits on pleating the frontal part. Keep doing the same till there are no loosely-hanging portions in your apparel. Further, tuck the entire fabric near the navel neatly.
Step 12: It’s time to create the iconic seedha pallu now. Take the left-end of your pallu, cover your bust, and bring the end towards your left back tightly. Adjust the length of your pallu and tuck the left-end and pin it up if needed. Ideally, your pallu should always remain above the knee.
Step 13: If you don’t want the conventional seedha pallu look, then I have a perfect solution for you. Take the left-end of your pallu and affix it on your left shoulder. Unlike the traditional look, the pallu will stay on your shoulder (and not the waist), creating a fashionable dupatta look.
Step 14: Watch yourself in the mirror and identify the imperfections. There might be some areas where the fabric is not tight or comprises creases. You need to fix them well before stepping out in the Gujarati saree.
Step 15: If some portions look unassembled and disorganized, you can take up more safety pins to bring a polished appearance.
Step 16: The pallu is heavy enough to distort the remaining saree. So, if you are planning to attend a long event, I suggest using 3-4 pins to secure the pleats well in a Gujarati saree.
Woohoo! You are ready to slay the Gujarati-style saree on all occasions effortlessly. The Gujarati saree might seem tedious to a fresher. However, with some practice, it becomes super-easy and manageable to carry a Gujarati saree. It becomes even simpler to wear such a saree if you know the difference between an ordinary and Gujarati saree.
What is the Difference Between Ordinary and Gujarati Saree?
Do you know how a Gujarati saree is different from ordinary sarees? I’ve some tips to separate the Gujarati sarees and identify them even in a dense crowd.
As you saw, the Gujarati saree is almost similar to the ordinary saree style except for the pallu and draping direction. While you drape an ordinary saree in the clockwise direction, you use counterclockwise winding with a Gujarati saree. So, if you notice the draping carefully, you can differentiate a Gujarati saree in the blink of an eye.
When it comes to Gujarati style saree wearing, how can I miss out on the seedha pallu! In the conventional sarees, the pallu remains on the front and rests on the left shoulder. However, in the Gujarati style, you will see that the pallu comes from the back to the front, and stays on the right shoulder. Also, the Gujarati-style saree covers your bust area entirely from the left to right diagonal.
You need to adhere to these differences and drape these sections carefully. Since, these entities separate the Gujarati saree from the others, you need to focus on these areas more than the remaining draping.
Do’s and Don’ts in Gujarati Style Saree Draping
The Gujarati-style saree is a sophisticated ensemble. The seedha pallu sarees are identifiable from a distance and need extensive care while draping. Did I intimidate you? Don’t worry. Follow the below tips and precautions when wearing a Gujarati saree and resemble a traditional woman having years of draping experience.
Do’s
- Choose a saree with a gorgeous pallu when wearing it in the Gujarati style. It will create a contrast in the seedha pallu, and complete your traditional appearance.
- Keep the drapes tight and neat throughout the draping to create a refined look.
- Use ample safety pins to secure each section of your Gujarati saree.
- Ensure that you tuck the saree neatly inside the petticoat without any bulges.
- Wear the footwear before draping the saree. It will provide you with the correct idea about the final height of your saree.
- Hold the pleats in one hand and pull them downwards using the other. It will iron the pleats and keep them in place for a prolonged duration.
Don’ts
- Don’t tuck your saree in the same place more than once to avoid a bulky appearance.
- Avoid choosing a fluffy saree like organza when carrying the Gujarati style. It will add a wide frame to your body.
- Don’t leave the pallu unattended without safety pins. Since the pallu is heavier than the remaining saree, it might fall off easily. To be on the safer side, use 3-4 pins and affix the pallu safely.
- Don’t wear your saree too high from the ground. It will create a highly unprofessional saree look.
- Pleats are the most essential component in a Gujarati saree. So, don’t spoil the pleats with uneven and crinkled folds.
- Don’t wear too heavy ornaments if your saree is intricate and densely designed.
- Carrying a heavy necklace will ruin your overall seedha pallu appearance. Try keeping the necklace minimal and avoid deviations from your attractive draping.
How Do You Wear a Front Pallu?
Are you tired of the ordinary pallu style? It’s time to break through your saree look and try out the front pallu style saree. From celebrities to fashionistas, the front or seedha pallu saree has become a sensation over the years.
To wear a front pallu saree perfectly, you need a lightweight saree. These sarees will settle on your body snuggly without creating a stout appearance. After wearing the blouse and petticoat, you can begin tucking the non-pallu side inside the petticoat from right to left. Once you complete a full circle, take the pallu, leave some fabric near the navel, and tuck an edge near the left waist. Ensure that you follow each step neatly.
Now, take your pallu from the back and bring it to the front from your right shoulder. Here, you need to pleat the pallu and secure it with the blouse using a safety pin. Further, you also require pleating the frontal saree portion and tuck it near the navel in the middle. Finally, create the ideal seedha pallu by taking the left-edge of the pallu and tucking it inside the petticoat near the left waist.
Some Famous Gujarati Sarees
Sarees from West India have been stealing hearts for centuries. Much like their culture, their saree heritage is vibrant and adds an excellent range to our traditional ensemble. Did you ever wonder what are the extravagant sarees in Gujarat? Let me provide you with a comprehensive list of the famous Gujarati sarees in our country.
- Patola Silk Sarees: The patola silk sarees are endangered and lie on the brim of vanishing. However, they are still the most captivating sarees from Gujarat and have two varieties – Patan Patola and Rajkot Patola.
- Bandhani Sarees – The Bandhani sarees reflect the rich craftsmanship in Gujarat. The dyed garments are ideal to create any style of your choice.
- Chanderi Sarees – The graceful Chanderi sarees have a separate fan base. Women all around the nation love its sheer appearance and transparent body.
- Gharchola Sarees – The Gharchola sarees find their usage as traditional head drapes. These are the descendants of the iconic Bandhani sarees from Gujarat.
- Maheshwari Sarees – Who can turn away from the amazing Maheshwari sarees! The breathtaking amalgamation of cotton and pure silk becomes lethal with intricate Zari-work on the garment body.
- Leheriya Sarees – Leheriya sarees are made from brightly-colored Kota silk, having distinctive patterns. These are yet another gift from Gujarat and exceptional additions to a woman’s wardrobe.
How to Wear Gujarati Saree in the Modern Way?
By now, you already know how to wear Gujarati saree traditionally. But do you know that there are many modern fashions to carry a Gujarati saree? Well, you can experiment with your Gujarati-style saree and create a twisted look effortlessly. Let’s explore the most innovative Gujarati saree looks below.
- Lehenga Style Gujarati Saree – A lehenga style saree is a simple deviation from conventional draping. You need to layer the pallus and tuck each of them separately in the middle to create this modern look.
- Ghunghat Style Gujarati Saree – When bringing the pallu from back to front on the right shoulder in the traditional draping, you need to keep the hanging fabric over your head and adjust the ghunghat length. Tuck the remaining portion near your left waist and complete the draping.
- Lehenga with Gujarati Dupatta – You can wear a lehenga and pair a dupatta in a seedha pallu style to produce a traditional Gujarati appearance.
- Simple Gujarati Saree Draping – Break the seedha pallu stereotype and drape a traditional Gujarati saree in the ordinary Nivi style. Enhance your look with statement jewelry to get a regal appearance.
Apart from wearing Gujarati sarees every day, you can carry them on your D-day too. The seedha pallu style will never go out of fashion and keep giving an outstanding vibe. With some creativity, you can create the best modern wedding looks with Gujarati sarees. Let’s discuss some of them briefly.
- Heavy-Bordered Saree – These days, the heavy-bordered sarees are a buzz in among the brides. You can wear a saree with gorgeous border-work in the seedha pallu style and pair them with heavy ornaments to look the most fashionable in your wedding.
- The Red and White Panetar Saree – Panetar sarees are already gorgeous among all Gujarati clothing. The red and white Panetar sarees look ravishing on the brides and create an off-beat appearance.
- Lehenga and Dupatta – A gorgeous lehenga is the most valuable asset in a bridal trousseau. You can add a dupatta to your ensemble and wear it in the seedha pallu style to create a distinct bridal look.
How to Wear Gujarati Saree to Look Slim?
There is a common notion among women that Gujarati sarees look good on petite body frames only. Let me tell you that it is a completely false ideology. All ladies can carry Gujarati sarees and look phenomenally slim. Drape the saree tightly at each step to avoid unnecessary fluff. Also, keep the pleats arranged and organized on the shoulder and navel region. You can even wear a saree shapewear under the saree to add extra slimness to your appearance.
How to Accessorize Gujarati Saree?
The Gujarati sarees have a tinge of gold, mostly. So, golden jewelry looks the best with traditional Gujarati sarees. You can try out Kundan sets and traditional Gujarati jewelry to replicate a West-Indian woman. Besides, you can mix and match other jewelry pieces and appear extravagant in a Gujarati saree.
Gujarat has a lot to offer in terms of style and fashion. It gives us a range of exclusive sarees and authentic seedha pallu techniques for all the saree lovers out there. With a unique blend of creativity and fashion sense, you can uplift the ordinary appearance and look even better in a Gujarati saree. Be it in a fully traditional or modern style of wearing a Gujarati saree, you will look equally divine and beautiful in such a creative draping.
