Long, elaborately styled stretches of fabric are a part of everyday Indian style for casual gatherings, formal occasions, and everything in between. Sarees are typically tucked into an underskirt in a pleated fashion, draped over the shoulder, and pinned into place. However, saree fashion doesn’t stop there.
There are myriad ways to tuck, twist, and drape a saree into place so that it fits your hairstyle, accessories, and the other components of your outfit. From Bengali saree drapes to georgette saree styles, there are plenty of ways to drape your saree.
Sarees are so innately traditional you cannot help but love the nine yards of pure sartorial elegance. However, besides its obvious traditionalism, there are other aspects to this beautiful garment. You can transform its look in so many ways and wear it to formal occasions, parties, casual outings et al. But you let the fun out of the bag when you wear it only in one style.
Let’s have it straight: who wants it to be boring when you can be fun and interesting? So, we list out some interesting ways to drape your sarees to spice up your wardrobe! Start with your online saree shopping and upgrade your saree collection as soon as you can.
Let’s look at some of our favorite unconventional methods of styling your favorite silk or cotton saree.
How To Wear a Saree: The Traditional Saree Style
While there are dozens of ways to wear an Indian saree, one styling method is traditionally the most common. Most women will start by dressing in a blouse and underskirt, sometimes called a petticoat. They will tuck it in underneath their skirt, forming pleats as they go around the waist.
Once a saree has been pleated, you’ll lay out and straighten up the remaining stretch of the fabric. From here, you will form pleats at the decorative end, safety pin it into place on your shoulder, and let it flow behind you.
Styles That Make a Saree Look Unique
Sarees have undergone an evolutionary process and what you see now on the ramp or the runway is an eclectic blend of retro styles with fresh modern styles. Check out some of the styles which can turn you into a glamorous diva in a matter of minutes!
Saree in a few minutes? Sounds unbelievable, right? Yes, it does, but modern designers have rescued us from minutes of pure agony and stress where you keep wondering whether your pleats are going to ditch you and give you away in the middle of a large crowd or whether you are going to be a laughing stock for draping your saree in the wrong way!
Thank God for pre-pleated sarees! Well, more on that later!
Modern sarees have made your dream come true of wearing it as easily as you would slip on a dress and then managing to walk confidently in a saree with heels and all, your pallu intact, and ditto with your pride! Let’s bring the quirky quotient back on the platter and explore different saree styles. Here’s our take on the age-old saree!
Here are some other ways you can drape your saree to update your look, guarantee you stand out in the crowd, and give new life to pieces that may have been in your wardrobe for some time. For all these styles, start by tucking the end of the saree into your waistband. From there, surprises await.
Let’s look at some new step-by-stepsaree draping styles to try out on your next night out.
How To Wear Sarees in the Mumtaz Style
This style is pure gold. You have watched Mumtaz gyrating and twisting in chiffon sarees and wondered how did she dance so effortlessly in a saree?
Well, the blingy border, complete with the chiffon saree, was a retro look we always crushed upon! The orange saree in one of her famous songs is something that comes to mind instantly! We still let out a silent wow every time we watch the song on television, and we look at her enviously!
Well, you could try it too. This draping style is still relevant, so why not channel your inner Mumtaz and flaunt it on the next occasion you attend?
For Mumtaz-style draping, use a saree made of a lighter material like chiffon with some border embellishment. With the end tucked in around your waist, start on the front right, bring it around to the backside, and tuck it in. Form pleats on the right side before tucking the fabric in neatly.
Repeat this, lifting the fabric higher than you previously did. Lastly, drape the remaining fabric over your shoulder and pin it into place. You should end up with a swirled look, like a spiral staircase.
Butterfly Style
The chic and sensuous butterfly is a fresh new take on the traditional saree draping style and one of the latest designer sarees creating a buzz in the fashion world. While many sarees make a full-bodied woman look a little bulky, this one just accentuates your curves.
You create a butterfly shape at the bottom of your pallu and a thin column at the top part of your pallu. You can also pleat the pallu into a single column and take it right across your torso. You can pin the pallu on your shoulder into place and leave your blouse designs exposed or cover up a bit more.
Dhoti Style
This saree draping style is a hot favorite amongst fashionistas, and not without good reason. Our Bollywood celebrities are looking oh-so-good in custom-made dhoti sarees, making it the hot new trend in the fashion circuit. It allows easy leg movement, and you can even pair it with jackets and blazers in the winter to give it a quirky twist.
Pleat the pallu first. Hold the rest of the fabric up behind you with the majority of the saree on your right side. Tie the material into a knot around your waist. Take the left end and wrap it inward around your left leg. Grab the bottom border of the fabric, pleat it, and tuck it in the middle of your back.
Repeat on the right side, straighten your pallu, and drape it onto your left shoulder. This unique pallu style really completes the look.
Belted Style
This one is my favorite, as it makes my waist look tiny! Just lay your hands on a pretty belt, broad or thin, and use it to cinch your waist. This is a novel way of upgrading an average look. This is a classic look that you’ve seen in countless retroBollywood films, but it’s also popular for bridesmaids at weddings.
Belted draping is exactly what it sounds like, and it’s great for beginners. After you are done draping in whatever style you wish, fasten a belt at the smallest part of your waist for definition and shape.
Gujarati Style Saree
A traditional style of saree that is not quite your regular draping. The Gujarat designer sarees online resemble the ornate styles of kanjeevarams and banarasi sarees.
Here’s how to emulate this classic half-saree style. After tucking, bring the fabric to the front middle. Leave a little out so that it’s loose, and then tuck the saree into place. Wrap the fabric around the waist, bringing it to your right, and pleat the pallu.
Keeping the length short, drape it forward over your right shoulder and pin the left portion of fabric underneath your left arm in the back. Pleat the loose material in the front and neatly tuck it into your waistband
Lehenga Style
Is it a lehenga, or is it a saree? Never mind, ‘cause, either way, it adds a great touch to your saree draping style. The lower half of the garment resembles a lehenga, while the top half makes it look like a saree, complete with a pallu.
It’s a must-try for all fashionistas who want to try a different and stand-out look during the wedding season. Buy the latest designer sarees online and floor everyone with your faultless sartorial choices.
There are many ways to drape a saree lehenga style, but generally, you will tuck the fabric into your waistband, sometimes pleating as you go, until you create a top layer over your underskirt. From here, most women drape the pallu across their bodies.
Wrap Style
This is another way of draping a saree by wrapping it around your neck, much as you would use a scared to do so. It looks very stylish and is a novel way to flaunt your blouse. This is particularly relevant during the winter months blending in style and comfort effortlessly. A perfect wedding look to flaunt.
For a modern style, start with a saree fully pleated and tucked around the length of your waist. Then, wrap it around the back end of your waist, bringing it to the right before draping it upward and over your left shoulder.
Alternate Bengali Style
The traditional Bengali saree is a popular saree-wearing style, and thanks to its wide coverage in mainstream films, the popularity of this saree draping style is on the rise. It’s unique and looks particularly lovely when you wear it in white color and red borders.
The traditional Bengali woman wore her pallu by tying the end with a key making a tinkling noise announcing her arrival into a room. You can give this traditional draping style a contemporary twist by flaunting a sexy back with a backless blouse.
Pants Style
A pant-style saree is an edgy way to show off your saree. This modern look is winning extra brownie points among fashionistas. The touch of androgyny gives it a very contemporary look, and more and more young women are wearing it to formal occasions as it is a fun and quirky take on traditionalism.
Pre-Stitched/Cocktail Style
Thank God for pre-stitched sarees, as they are easy to wear and look all the more beautiful and chic when you pair them with sensuous blouses. Also, you can make it more stylish when you wear it with crop tops. Select interesting crop tops with flared, ruffled, or off-shoulder styles.
Pre-stitched cotton or silk sarees, also called ready-made or pre-draped sarees, are basically over skirts with pre-lined pleats. You can easily dress in a minute with styles like these.
Each of our sarees comes pre-draped, so you never need to sacrifice style or convenience. Every one of our ensembles is also hand-inspected in India for the best quality.
Become a Saree Stylist
Twisting, tucking, and pleating your saree in a new way can help you stand out in a crowd of routine styles. Instead of looking for unconventional cuts of cloth that may stand out in the wrong ways, consider wearing your saree in a different style this season.
With a little creativity and innovation, you’re sure to be the belle of the ball and at the top of every “best dressed” list with these new and innovative saree draping styles.
So, are you thinking of buying new sarees at a designer saree online shop? Buy the one that suits your body type, occasion, or style. Or else just buy whatever catches your fancy. After all, it is you who is going to give the garment a whole new distinction, not the other way around.
Let us know whether the saree-wearing tips worked for you. Also, tell us which draping style is your favorite and why? I would love to hear from you.
Sources:
The Splendid Sari | RISD Museum
Textile Treasures: Shawls and Sarees | Google Arts & Culture
4 Beautiful Wedding Saree Draping Styles for Any Skill Level | The Knot