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The SARI

Name:       Sari (or Saree/Shari)        Place:  South of Asia (India,                                                                                     Bengladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka,                                                                     Nepal, Afghanistan

Origin:       2800 to 1800 BC        Materials:    Cotton, Silk                                                                           

Occasion:         Everyday / Events (weeding, gala, ...)

 The idea of being dressed with draped material came because of the climate of India (especially in the west of the country). And that kind of dress leaves some part of the body uncovered. 


   The Sari can be worn in more than 80 different ways; depending on many factors. But traditionally it is composed of a drape varing from 5 to 9 yards in length and 2 to 4 feet in breadth worn over a petticoat and a fitted upper garment (cropped at the midriff) called choli. 

   That drape is wrapped around the waist (without bouton or pin) and the other end is draped over the shoulder baring the midriff. That is for women. 

    The men's Sari is called Dhoti. It's composed of a loincloth which passes between the legs and becomes a pair of trousers. Depending on the region, the Dhoti has different names and is worn differently.

 

   There is a religious dimension behind the way the Sari is worn. For women workers the Sari is worn every day, but for the missus the Sari has gold embroidery in addition which makes it unique. The modern Sari is called Suit.

 

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