The Sari is a traditional outfit draped by a majority of Indian women. In various parts of the sub-continent, Sari is known by different names. A Sari is primarily a long stretch of unstitched cloth which can range anywhere between five yards to nine yards. The Sari is usually worn over a blouse and petticoat; however there are styles of draping it without a petticoat or blouse.

The most common way of draping a Sari is tucking one end of the length into the petticoat and letting loose the other end over the left shoulder. The loose end is known as a 'pallao' and can also be set in pleats. When left loose, it gives a look of elegance, and when kept pleated, can make formal attire. This style is known as 'Nivi.' The other styles of draping include Gujarati, Maharashtrian, Dravidian, Madisaara, Kodagu, Gond, and tribal and folk styles; the style varies from region to region. Sari is also referred as 'seere' in Kannada; 'cheera' is Telugu and 'podavai' in Tamil. In Kerala, people wear a two-piece sari also known as Mundum Neryathum. Most Sari's have been categorized on the basis of the wearing style or the fabric used.

A Sari is could be made of either, cotton, silk, satin, georgette, net, polyster, nylon, polycot etc. The word Sari has its etymological roots embedded in Sanskrit. 'Sati' meant a strip of cloth in Sanskrit, this later evolved into Prakrit 'Sadi' and gradually into 'Sari'.