How to wear a dhoti

How to wear a dhoti:

• The dhoti is one long piece of cloth. The first step is to start by folding the dhoti in half so that it is half its original length.
• Drape the dhoti behind onself. The stripe of the dhoti should be vertical and held at the top by the left hand. The top of the folded side should be in your right hand and the dhoti should drape almost to the ground behind your heels.
• Bring together in front side the folded side in the right hand to meet the stripe side in your left hand.
• Hold both the folded and stripe side in the left hand and bring them at even tension directly on to the left side, keeping the bottom of the dhoti level and near the ground.
• Hold the stripe side in the left hand as one accordion fold the fold side with the right hand until it is even horizontally with the left leg.
• There should now be a folded bunch in one’s right hand. Slightly lift this bunch in the right hand as one bring’s the stripe side over it on to the right side.
The dhoti is now wrapped around the waist. What is left is adjusting the tightness and rolling it down to hold the tension in place.
• Take the bunch in the right hand twist it slightly together and to the left and slip the top side of the dhoti just over the bunch to hold it in place.
• Even up the stripe side so that the stripe is vertical and the dhoti drapes level just above the floor.
• Roll the top of the dhoti down to a comfortable waist level, somewhere below the belly button.

Tips for comfort and convenience: Dhotis do not have pockets, but they do have a roll at the waistline which is very much useful. It is possible to carry small items such as keys, cash, and some IDs by placing them in the roll. With some practice, your items will be secure and easily accessible. One should be careful going up steps while wearing a dhoti. It is easy to step on the dhoti, especially the left side. Lifting the bunched accordion fold higher before rolling helps alleviate this problem. Silk dhotis do stay on.

You do not need to wear undergarments with your dhoti, but be aware that the fabric is thin, especially in the back. Wearing your white dhoti in the rain might be more interesting than you anticipated. Wind can blow open dhotis and when you sit down the dhoti may come slightly apart. The more you overlap the fabric in the middle the less of a problem this is. When you order a dhoti you will probably have to trim off the end. If there is a seemingly useless strip of cloth attached by threads to either end of your dhoti cut it off. This is just to keep the dhoti from fraying until it is sold. Dhotis do stop fraying naturally. They do not just come apart after some time. Dhotis are traditionally worn very near the ground, almost touching. If you plan on dancing in your dhoti, wrap it a little higher to keep it from being stepped on. Fold the dhoti in half before drying it and make sure the stripes line up. When you take it out of the dryer it should still be folded in half with the stipes lined up. This is important for making sure the dhoti stays together well when it is wrapped