Saree Petticoat Size Guide: How to Pick the Right Underskirt Online
A saree petticoat — also called an underskirt or inskirt — is the one piece of a saree outfit that's almost never on display, and the one most often bought in the wrong size. Too loose and your pleats slip out by lunchtime. Too short and the hem of the saree has nothing to fall over. Here's how to get it right when you're buying online.
The three measurements that matter
- Waist — where you'll tie the petticoat, usually at or just below your navel. This is where your pleats tuck in, so it's where fit matters most.
- Hip — around the fullest part of your hips. For a fitted shapewear petticoat, this is the number that picks your size.
- Length — from the waist point down to the floor, measured in the shoes you'll wear.
Use a soft tape, measure over light clothing, and keep the tape snug but not tight.
How petticoat sizes work
There are really two sizing systems, depending on the fabric.
Cotton petticoats: waist is what counts
A cotton petticoat is cut loose through the hip, so it only needs to fit at the waist. A drawstring or elastic waist covers a wide range, which is why our cotton inskirt comes in a single free size.
Shapewear petticoats: size to your hips
Lycra shapewear fits close through the hip and thigh, so the hip measurement decides your size. On our side-cut shapewear petticoats the size number corresponds to the hip:
| Size | Hip (inches) |
|---|---|
| XS | 34 |
| S | 36 |
| M | 38 |
| L | 40 |
As an example, our mint green shapewear petticoat in S (36) measures 28 inches at the waist, 36 at the hip and 37.5 inches long. Each product page lists the measurements of that exact piece — always check them against yours.
Our long 4-way lycra inskirts use letter sizes (L, XL, XXL) and have a drawstring waist, so they adjust a little more.
Between sizes?
- Shapewear: go by your hips. If your hips sit between two sizes, choose the larger one for comfort over a long event; the drawstring takes care of the waist.
- Cotton: any drawstring or elastic petticoat will cover it.
Getting the length right
The petticoat hem decides where your saree hem sits. A good rule: the petticoat should end about half an inch above the floor in the shoes you'll wear. Too long and it shows under the saree; too short and the saree can't fall to a clean line.
- Our cotton inskirts run 37 to 40 inches.
- Our side-cut shapewear petticoats run roughly 37.5 to 42 inches, depending on the piece.
- If you're tall or wearing heels, check the length on the listing before you order.
Choosing the color
Match the petticoat to the saree's base color, not its border — sheer fabrics show the petticoat through them. When you can't match exactly, go one shade lighter for pastels and one shade darker for deep colors. Beige and cream work under most light sarees; black under most dark ones.
Five checks before you order
- Measure waist, hip and length — all three.
- Decide cotton or shapewear first. Our shapewear vs cotton petticoat guide explains which saree needs which.
- Size shapewear by your hips.
- Compare the listed length with your waist-to-floor measurement.
- Match the color to the saree body, not the border.
Where to start
Our shapewear, petticoat and in-skirt collection has cotton inskirts, long lycra shapewear and side-cut shapewear petticoats in a wide range of colors. Everything ships from Milpitas, California within 24 hours, so you're not waiting on an order from India the week of your event.
Written by JCS Fashions
