Tips to wear sarees: Opt for a high-waisted petticoat and tie your saree a little higher on your waist. By doing this, you will actually be adding inches to your height (Image: Canva)
Are you a short girl and hate wearing sarees as they make you look even shorter and feel frumpy? Don’t worry, this festive season, you can wear a saree like a pro and still look tall and elegant. Just keep in mind things like choosing lightweight and flowy fabrics like chiffons and georgette, avoiding high contrast colours that will visually cut your height, or going for single colour sarees and you will find yourself looking confident and gorgeous.
Wearing your saree higher will also add height, as will choosing a well-fitted blouse. Of course, don’t forget that heels are a short girl’s best friend, and also go for sleek hairstyles and accessories to look more put together.
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Here are some saree tips for short girls to help you look your best.
- Choose lightweight fabrics
If you love wearing your mom’s old heavy sarees, you may have to think about skipping them. Heavy fabrics like brocade or silk can add bulk to your body, and can make you look shorter. Same goes for heavily embellished sarees or stiff fabrics like pure silk or raw silk.
Instead, choose lightweight fabrics, like chiffon, georgette, crepe, satin, or organza. These flowy materials will fall closer to your body and avoid unnecessary volume, creating a slick and elongated look.
Also read | Classic nivi, Bengali and other styles: Here are 5 ways to drape your saree this festive season
- Opt for monochrome or single-colour saree
If you’re a short girl, you also need to give those gorgeous sarees with the contrasting border a skip, unfortunately. Colour-blocking sarees with contrasting blouse and borders can visually cut your height.
Go for monochrome outfits that make will you look taller by avoiding any breaks in the visual line. You can also go for pastel colours, jewel tones, and darker shades like navy blue, burgundy, or emerald green that will create a lengthening effect.
- Pick vertical prints and thin borders
Also avoid large, bold prints and thick borders that can overwhelm your frame. If you prefer printed sarees, choose vertical patterns that will draw the eye up and down, elongating your body. Think of including stripes, small floral patterns, or paisley designs if you’re conscious of your height. And make sure you choose sarees with thin borders, as wide borders can make you appear shorter.
- Wear a high-waist petticoat
No matter the urge to show off your navel, it’s best to opt for a high-waisted petticoat and tie your saree a little higher on your waist. By doing this, you will actually be adding inches to your height. Wearing your petticoat at your natural waist or just above your navel can make your legs appear longer and enhance your overall proportions.
Tip: When tucking in your saree, make sure the pleats fall neatly and avoid too much volume around the hips.
Also read | Upgrade your saree game with these 5 chic and modern twists
- Go for a slim, well-fitted blouse
A well-fitted blouse can make or break your saree look. Choose a blouse that fits snugly and has shorter sleeves that can help create a longer visual line. You can also wear blouses with three-quarter or short sleeves, but avoid puffed or heavily embellished sleeves that can make your upper body look bulky. The blouse should complement the saree without adding too much bulk.
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Stay away from extra design, or capes, jackets, etc. that will add more fabric to your body and break the fluidity of the saree.
- Drape the saree neatly with minimal pleats
Avoid creating too many pleats or wearing the pallu too short as this can create bulk and make you look shorter. Instead, make sure that you drape your saree in a sleek manner with less pleats, and let the pallu fall long and gracefully. Keeping the drape neat and close to your body prevents it from overwhelming your frame.
Heels are a life-saviour for any short girl, and wearing them with a saree is a cardinal rule if you want to look taller and have the saree fall more gracefully. If you are not comfortable wearing pointed heels, choose platform heels or wedges that give you the height without sacrificing comfort. Always wear your heels before you start tying the saree to get the right length and avoid it dragging on the floor.
Avoid any oversized accessories like heavy chokers, big earrings, or chunky bracelets as they can overpower a petite frame and draw attention away from the saree. Choose dainty necklaces, small earrings, and sleek bangles to keep the focus on the saree and your overall silhouette and to maintain a balanced look.
Updos or sleek hairstyles that add height, like a bun or a ponytail, can create an illusion of a longer neck and taller frame. A high bun or neatly styled low bun can elongate your overall look. If you prefer leaving your hair down, make sure it’s straight or slightly wavy to avoid adding width to your silhouette.
Voluminous, curly hairstyles or messy hairdos that can make you look shorter by adding bulk to the top half of your body.
Wearing a saree when you're short doesn’t have to make you look frumpy. With the right fabrics, draping techniques, and styling, you can create an illusion of height and look stunning.
