In India, sarees are more than just six yards of cloth; they are a symbol of culture, tradition, and elegance. For generations, families have treasured sarees, often passing them down as heirlooms. Many
women prefer draping a saree that their mother or grandmother wore for special occasions, but the problem arises: how to store these sarees without damaging them?
Dolly Jain on storing expensive sarees
Dolly Jain, the celebrity saree draper known for styling stars like Alia Bhatt, Priyanka Chopra, and Nita Ambani, recently shared her expert advice on saree storage. Speaking to Indian-American fashion entrepreneur Pernia Qureshi in a video shared on Instagram, Dolly explained the correct way to preserve expensive sarees for years.
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What’s the best way to store sarees?
Dolly said, “So for all these Kanjeevarams and real zari sarees, never fold them and keep them.” She explained that folding delicate sarees can create permanent creases that are hard to remove. “All those expensive Banarasi sarees, where the weaves are in such a way that if you have to fold, you’ll have that mark forever. To remove that mark, you’ll have to use a lot of heat,” she added.
The right way to store sarees
Dolly’s solution is simple yet effective. She recommends rolling the saree instead of folding it and wrapping it in a muslin cloth.
“Always keep them in rolls, take a muslin cloth, wrap it and keep it. If we say we are investing in a lakh rupee saree or a two lakh rupee saree and you’re putting so much heat on it, you are not going to be able to use it yourself or pass it down to the next generation. Forget it. Okay? That’s the reason, no extra heat, please,” she advised.
Following these storage tips can help preserve the beauty and texture of sarees for years, allowing families to pass down these elegant pieces without worry. As Dolly Jain emphasises, careful storage is an investment in maintaining the legacy of these priceless fabrics.
