The sari (pronounced “sahr-ee”) is a complex garment composed of a single length of fabric. Also spelled “saree” in English, the Sanskrit term means “strip of cloth,” and yet the design is conceived on the loom as a three-dimensional garment. Mathematically precise distribution of thread combinations and densities of pattern add weight to specific portions, proving drape and strength and yielding a range of beautiful silhouettes.

Made from yards of cloth measuring between five- and nine-yards long, the sari is an entirely unstitched garment that relies on a series of pleating, tucking, and tying to stabilize the look. Across India, women wrap saris in hundreds of different ways, reflecting the traditions of their region and the sari’s centuries old history. The design’s versatility allows the wearer to create a variety of looks that even include long pants as well as swimming shorts.

Western fashion designers have reduced the sari from nine-yards of cloth to tailored pattern pieces, effectively eliminating the culturally significant draping. They focus instead on its most iconic element, an asymmetric sash hung from the shoulder.

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