Trying on Sarees

Check out the pictures of me in a couple of sarees at my photo blog (RCOBO2.blogspot.com) My host mom & daughter have HUNDREDS of them, both being avid collectors, from finest silks to trashy synthetics. Mostly they wear the latter, which are the equivalent of house dresses, for doing housework. But they always wear the gold chain, which is, among other things, the equivalent of a wedding ring. Under the saree is a cotton skirt with drawstring, tied tightly, for tucking in the yardage (6 meters)and the blouse is meant to be tight also. Under all that are a bra and underpants too, and the modern secret is safety pins: a pin at the shoulder to keep the long end in place and usually a pin at the front of the waist, to prevent the tucked-in material from coming untucked. Before safety pins, a woman was always having to adjust the material to prevent it all falling apart. The underskirt is quite narrow, preventing any long strides; indeed, causing quite a hobbling effect. This should be the worst thing women here endure! Oh yes, and the spelling "saree" is pretty universal here, so I've adopted it for now.