The traditional South Asian garment that is a long, unstitched drape worn around the body is a sari.
A sari is a length of woven fabric wrapped around the waist, with the loose end commonly draped over one shoulder. It is usually worn with a fitted blouse called a choli and a petticoat, though regional practices and historical forms vary widely.
Saris are worn across the Indian subcontinent, including India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, and Pakistan. They commonly measure about 4.5 to 9 metres in length, allowing many different draping techniques. The Nivi style is among the most widely recognised, but regional traditions include dozens of other forms.
Sari-like drapery has ancient roots, with evidence connected to northwestern South Asia around 2800–1800 BCE. The sari is not a single uniform costume: fabrics, borders, pleats, colours, and draping methods reflect local identity, ceremony, occupation, and fashion.