Are Indian Women Lazy To Drape Saree? The Rise Of Pre-Draped Sarees in India
Practicality meets pleats
A pre-draped saree is, as the name implies, already pleated and ready to wear. You just need to toss the pallu over your shoulder, slide it on like a skirt, and you're ready to go! Young people, particularly Gen Z and millennials, are drawn to these sarees because they feel carefree and celebratory without requiring the exacting art of draping.
One may simply buy a pre-draped saree for less than Rs. 2,000 on websites like Myntra and Amazon. Leading designers have also started taking advantage of the rising demand for pre-stitched sarees, including Jayanti Reddy, Anita Dongre, tarun Tahiliani, and amit Aggarwal.
Because they are so handy, pre-draped sarees have become more popular. fashion designer Nitika Gujral, who has worked in the field for forty years and is headquartered in Delhi, claims that young people living in cities are driving this trend.
Today's women prioritize efficiency without sacrificing flair, according to rahul khanna of the Delhi-based designer brand Rohit gandhi & rahul Khanna.
A nationwide trend?
Pre-draped sarees have become essential for urban inhabitants and working professionals. Taniya and Sujata Biswas, the owners of the saree brand Suta, claim that the market for ready-to-wear sarees is expanding at a pace of 8–10% each year, especially among Gen Z and busy millennials.
By adding a special option to their website that lets shoppers select any saree and choose a ready-to-wear customization for an extra fee, Suta has embraced this trend. To ensure a flawless fit, the saree is customized to the customer's exact specifications.
Local boutiques now readily provide this choice as well.
Nowadays, a lot of professional women like their sarees to be ready to wear. Despite their fondness for sarees, women frequently find it difficult to drape them correctly, and time restrictions make matters worse. They thus ask for pre-pleated sarees, which are convenient to wear and transport, says Manisha Sharma, proprietor of Paridhaan Boutique in West Delhi.
"Even older ladies who would have trouble handling sarees are increasingly choosing pre-draped versions, particularly for elaborate or heavy drapes intended for weddings or festivals. Any local tailor can now perform these ready-to-wear changes for between ₹700 and 1,000, Sharma continues.
So, is india losing the art of saree draping?
Fashion experts say that's not the case with the popularity of pre-draped sarees. The saree will remain a representation of timeless elegance in its own region.
According to Nitika Gujral, households in southern, eastern, and central india, as well as in places like gujarat and Rajasthan, continue to wear traditional sarees with their unique weaving.
Furthermore, according to industry experts, pre-draped sarees serve as a starting point for many people who have never worn a saree. They frequently switch to conventional draping techniques over time. According to the creators of Suta, the broader trend is the desire for sarees to return to daily life. The creator of the ethnic clothing brand Saundh, Sarabjit Saluja, concurs.
India is not losing sight of the skill of draping sarees; rather, it is changing the way people wear them. While pre-draped sarees serve some purposes, such as convenience, speed, and contemporary style, the classic appeal of draping a saree endures for festivals, weddings, and daily use, according to Saluja.