Love the sari, not the struggle? Ready-made versions win over Deepavali shoppers

IPOH, Nov 6 — The sari remains a favored choice for Deepavali celebrations, with many shoppers opting for the elegant garment to honor the occasion. While draped sari can take 20 minutes to an hour to wear, fashion designer and tailor S.C. Kavitha has stepped in to simplify the process by offering pre-pleated and ready-made saris.

Kavitha, who has been in the industry since 2008, said demand for these convenient options has surged over the past five years, particularly ahead of Deepavali. She explained that pre-pleating involves measuring the fabric, arranging it into neat pleats, steam-pressing, and securing with safety pins. This process allows the wearer to slip into the sari in just five minutes, compared to the traditional 20-minute to hour-long draping time.

Ready-made saris are even faster to wear, as they come with fasteners at the waist and require only a simple hook and drape. Kavitha noted that ready-made and pre-pleated saris have gained popularity among Malays and Chinese, who seek the traditional attire for weddings, workplace events, and school celebrations. The designer charges RM30 to RM40 for pre-pleating and RM85 to RM90 for tailoring a ready-to-wear sari.

Despite the time required to master the technique, Kavitha offers sari-draping classes to ensure her students learn the proper methods and can pass on their knowledge to future generations.