The saree is the traditional dress worn by girls and women in India. It consists of a lengthy colourful piece of unstitched cloth, often decorated with glittery flecks and bands, and which is wrapped around the waist and draped over the shoulder. It is typically between 5 and 6 meters long and the loose end of the saree can also be used to cover the head to act as a headscarf or as a veil.

The small glittery mirror-like ornaments stitched on the outside not only reflect the sunlight, but are also meant to turn away evil and bad luck, similar to the mirrors placed over doorways (fig.).