Here’s how to dress like a Bollywood diva. By Sonia Boonchanasukit and Alisara Chirapongse, photography by Manit Tanakornprapa

What you need:
• Sari fabric
• A matching blouse
• A matching petticoat

Step 1: Laying the foundation
Put on the blouse, petticoat and the footwear you’re going to wear with your outfit. Start by holding the top of the fall end of the sari against the right side of your waist. Measure how long you want the sari to drop.

Step 2: Tuck it in
Tuck the remaining material into the petticoat along your waistline. Complete one round and end where you started.

Step 3: Measuring the pallu
Grab hold of the remaining sari material, wrap it loosely around your body once and throw the remainder over your left shoulder. You do this to measure 1. The length of your pallu and 2. How much leftover material you have to pleat and tuck in.

Step 4: Pleating it
Leave the pallu on the shoulder. Use your right hand to hold the remaining material in place as you make pleats with your left hand. Each pleat should be roughly 4-5 inches wide. Once you’ve pleated all the remaining material, tuck the loose ends into your petticoat.

Step 5: Secure Yourself
To secure your sari in place, safety pin the pleats to your petticoat.

Step 6: Last Touches
Adjust your pallu by letting it drape over your left arm.