My first attempt at wearing a saree was a few months ago, in September; all part of being high school seniors. Naturally, all those times unsuccessfully trying to wrap the endless cloth a gazillion times around your tiny little body while playing dress up as kids doesn't count.
I had harbored nothing but dislike for this traditional clothing for a long time. It was impractical, time-consuming, and looked severely uncomfortable, yet it found everyday use in the lives of millions of women in India. How? Why?
Spending quite a few hours in a saree and actually stepping out in public with it have, I must say, given me a new perspective to view this entire thing from. And boy, have I got a rant for you!
PRO #1- You feel like a freaking queen! That's right. When you've got 6 yards of cloth wound around your body, your curves become more prominent and graceful. With the long fabric flowing behind you, every step becomes a catwalk. Not to mention, sarees are the only "acceptable" way to show off your midriff without being judged by the prying eyes of Indian Society.
PRO #2 - A gush of wind from your left side and you've practically got your own internal cooling system. It doesn't matter that the front of your saree puffs up like a balloon because the wind that follows, swirling around you, is like a kiss from Heaven.
CON #1 - It is HOT. AF. You are sweating like a pig even in room temperature. With around 200 layers of cloth around your lower body, you bet it's going to be hot in there. Good luck on that catwalk while you try to ignore the trickle of sweat down the length of your legs.
CON #2 - It is tighter than having boa constrictor around your chest. The blouse is actually a torture device in disguise that squeezes the life out of you like a damn corset and people should have left it in the 1800s where it really belongs. Breathing is now a tedious, difficult and necessary task that you have to consciously perform every waking moment. I'm sure that the remaining 8 hours of wearing this will be super fun.
I would really like to know, who invented these? Who thought these were okay? More importantly, how are they still important, and at times mandatory, as a dress code in today's day and age? Women are forced to dress in sarees and then they call us delicate. How dare they?
Of course it's delicate. Every single second, you are conscious of every single pin holding your delicate saree together. The absolute hours spend getting into this prehistoric contraption of torment can all be undone in seconds should you make one small wrong move. The pressure and the stress of holding it all together is enough to drive you to an eternity of aversion towards any piece of cloth longer than a meter. Forget running or climbing the stairs, you can't even walk properly without accidentally pulling it all out.
I wore it for a few hours and I am done with it. It amazes me how people wear sarees on a daily basis. I mean, how? How do you work in this thing? How do you sleep comfortably in this thing? Most importantly, how on God's green earth does one take a leak in this thing?
I cannot understand how it is humanly possible. It must be witchcraft. My dear saree-wearing women of this world, how do you do it? Do you secretly have four arms? Do fairies come and assist you? Elves, perhaps? Please let me in on your well-guarded secret. I promise I won't tell.
So, apart from all that, wearing a saree was quite a fun experience. All my classmates came dressed up like princesses and it was a really enjoyable day for all of us. Now, the question remains, will I wear this again? I might, actually, considering that Farewell is coming and we will all have to wear sarees. I suppose I could wear it. Just for a few hours. I'm sure I can put up with that.
I would just like to say that this post contains only my personal beliefs and opinions, and it was not meant as offense to anyone or anything. Clothing is a personal choice and I have nothing but respect for all you ladies who choose to wear sarees.
With that said, I would also like to say that if the need arises, I will wear a saree again, but under certain terms and conditions. And only occasionally. Once or twice in a lifetime seems frequent enough for me.
Until next time, All Hail T-shirts and Sweatpants!
