How To Wear A Saree In Bengali Style – Step By Step Tutorial
Drape it in a way that dancing to a Rabindra sangeet or sitting by the river Hooghly seems dreamy.
Pratima Ati is a postgraduate in International Business from Staffordshire University. After working in Marketing and Business Development for a few years, she jumped ship to pursue two things she loved – fashion and writing.
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If you are mesmerized by the Bengali style of wearing a saree and can’t wait to try it out for the next pujo that you want to go to, then you will be in joy to know that you have landed yourself in the right place. Today, in this article, we are going to teach you how to wear a saree in Bengali style. It is undeniable that Bengali culture is utterly fascinating. From delicious sweets to attires and festivals, you just cannot not love them all. And when you drape that ethnic red-bordered white saree and add a big red bindi on your forehead, your love for the culture grows even further. This is exactly why we want to help you learn how to drape one. Don’t worry; the steps are easy and quick. You can ace the unique draping in no time and get ready to click innumerable pictures for your next Instagram post. All you need to do is scroll down and learn the steps. So let us get started then.
In This Article
How To Drape Saree In Bengali Style – 12 Simple Steps
- Step 1
The basis for wearing saree in bengali style is similar to the regular (Nivi) style. Start by tucking your saree a little over your navel, and towards the right side. Now, from the left side of your waist, continue tucking by taking it around the waist. Do it till you come back to the starting point.
- Step 2
Now, begin to make broad pleats that start at the left side of your belly button and fold it in a way that it ends at the right leg.
- Step 3
The length of pleats make a lot of difference to this style, so ensure that they level with the ground.
- Step 4
The pleats should look something like this, broad and box like.
- Step 5
Unlike the other styles of saree draping, you do not need too many pleats. You just need two of them—so flatten them and tuck it away into the in-skirt.
- Step 6
Now, bring the saree to the front of you towards the left side and start making thin pleats. The size of the pleats should be about the size of the border.
- Step 7
Now, leave the pallu free and ensure that the length of the saree touches the ground. If you are a beginner, clip up the pleats so that they stay intact.
- Step 8
The pleats should be thin and intact as shown below.
- Step 9
Once you have adjusted, remove the clips (if you used any) and bring right side border of the pleated pallu towards the right shoulder. Bring it all the way under your armhole and tuck it near the right side of your hip.
- Step 10
Now, take the tip of the pallu, nothing but the end of the saree and bring it to the front from under your right hand.
- Step 11
Throw it over your right shoulder. You can add a tassel or fancy key ring for it pop out.
- Step 12
Adjust your box pleats, pallu and any other protruding parts of the safe, and secure them with safety pins. Bam! You’re done!
Video Tutorial
5 Types Of Bengali Sarees You Should Consider Buying
For the longest time, all I only knew were the Bengal cotton and the garad sarees. But only after my visit to the Bengal capital did I realize there’s so much more I could add to my collection. Here are the top 5 varieties –
1. Garad
The saree that most of non-Bengalis relate to is the garad. It is a combination of off-white and red, or any other color with a striped border. If you are looking for a typical Bengal saree, get the red and white saree.
2. Tant
Tant sarees that come in both cotton and silk are all about the thick border and ornate pallu (pallav). It is handwoven by artisans all over Bengal and is a low-cost variant, and is used as a daily wear saree.
3. Jamdani
One of the finest muslin textiles that were initially made in Dhaka, Bangladesh made their way to what we now call West Bengal. The technique Jamdani is declared as an ‘Intangible Cultural Heritage Of Humanity’ by UNESCO. It’s airy, flimsy and comfortable.
4. Bengal Cotton
We all love this variety and heard of it at some point. It is classy, comfortable and elegant.
5. Baluchari Silk
Baluchari silk sarees are rich and opulent, and a variant that most women choose for a wedding or special occasions. They come with a thick and intricate silk border, weaving in ancient tales into them while oozing grandeur.
Bengali-style saree draping is easier than you thought. Isn’t it? It is simple yet gorgeous. The drape gives you ample opportunity to move around freely without worrying about anything. Moreover, the Bengali sarees are gorgeous and comfortable, especially the Bengali cotton, Jamdani, and Tant sarees. So, what are you waiting for, then? Get yourself a lovely Bengali saree and learn how to wear it the Bengali way from the above tutorial. Also, do not forget to add a big red bindi to your forehead to complete the look!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the length of a Bengali saree?
The average length of a Bengali saree (taant) is about 6 meters.
How many types of Bengali saree are there?
There are many types of Bengali saree. The common ones include Baluchari, Dhakai Jamdani, Garad, Korial, Taant, and Tussar.
Why do Bengalis wear red and white sarees?
Red and white hold a special significance in Bengali culture. Red is the color of fertility and auspiciousness, while white signifies purity.
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