Fashion trends may come and go but the saree stays forever. The six yards of elegance portray the cultural diversity of India, each state of India represents a different saree draping style. The saree is the ultimate vehicle to carry a woman’s beauty and elegance and different varieties and draping styles have even inspired the Western fashion world.
The mainstay of a woman’s wardrobe, the saree can be worn in so many different ways. The different saree draping styles from various parts of India include the Atpoure drape from West Bengal, the Nauvari drape from Maharashtra, the seedha pallu from Gujarat, Odisha, and Uttar Pradesh, Mekhela chadar from Assam and countless more.
The Allure of Different Saree Styles: A Journey Through Regions with KALKI
Although, most women will choose to wear a certain kind of drape in their everyday life, what is interesting to note is that these drapes can allow free movement and are as easy as slipping on a dress. Women (although small sections) from different regions of India have been doing that for years with great aplomb. Here are a few of the more region-specific different types of saree draping that are as distinctive as they are beautiful.
Nivi Style (Andhra Pradesh/Telangana)
One of the most known styles of saree draping is the Nivi style from Andhra Pradesh. With a little change in pleating style, tucked in at the waist and the pallu thrown over the shoulder, you get to wear a drape, endorsed by women from Andhra Pradesh for years. It's a graceful and elegant style that is easy to manage. Nivi meaning “new” also finds a reference during the Vedic period. Nivi drapes can be worn with cotton Mangalgiri, Venkatagiri, Pochampally silks, and even chiffons, georgettes, brasso, and more.
Bengali Style (West Bengal)
The ever-popular drape, also called the Atpoure looks resplendent in a Gorod, white body, red border saree. It is draped without pleats, and the pallu is brought from the back to the front over the left shoulder. The pallu is then pinned in place. The saree style is versatile enough to be tried on different types of sarees, including Banarasi, Baluchari, and Jamdani. However, Bengalis flaunt this type of draping style during the Durga Puja festival in a Gorod saree and is a sight to behold.
Seedha Pallu Style (Gujarat)
The popular style from the state of Gujarat, the pallu is draped in the front from the right shoulder and wrapped around the body. Also called the Gujarati style, women try this style in Bandhej cotton and silk sarees, Patola sarees, and more. This type of pallu not only helps to showcase the beauty of the saree but also allows easy movements.
Nauvari Style (Maharashtra)
This form of saree draping style hails from the state of Maharashtra and resembles a dhoti, with the pallu neatly tucked at the back. A forever favorite among Maharashtrian women, they are a traditional saree draping style for wedding reception. They prefer to wear it with a unique nose ring and traditional jewelry. Maharashtrian women try this drape on Paithani saree and Kolhapuri cotton sarees.
Coorgi style (Karnataka)
The saree hails from the hill station in the Western Ghats of Karnataka. The easy-to-wear drape makes hill climbing super easy. A Coorgi-style saree has pleats at the back, where the saree end is brought under both shoulders from the back. Finally, a knot is tied at the right shoulder. Coorgi women love this style of saree draping at home for everyday wear, however, for weddings, Coorgi women wear it with red and golden Kanjeevaram silk sarees.
Kunbi drape (Goa)
This ancient saree-draping style, worn by the tribal women of Goa in ancient times even before the Portuguese arrived on the shores of Goa in the 16th century. The Kunbi saree drape was worn in cotton sarees, red and black checks. The draping style involves wrapping the saree around the waist and tying a knot on the right shoulder. The saree length is above the ankles to allow women to work in rice fields with ease of movement. Originally, worn without the blouse, now it is worn with a simple puffed sleeve blouse.
Choosing the Perfect Saree: Fabric, Colors, and Designs
Fabric selection: The choice of fabric is the foundation for a unique saree draping styles in India. Opt for lightweight options like cotton, chiffon or georgette sarees for effortless draping and movement. Silk sarees offer elegance with their rich texture and drape. They are perfect for festivals and celebrations.
Colour Consideration: Colours hold the power to define the mood and essence of the unique saree draping styles to look slim. Bright and bold shades such as reds, yellows, greens, or purples exude vibrancy and are ideal for weddings and celebratory events. Soft pastels like blush pink, lemon, aqua blue, and lavender bring an air of elegance and are perfect for formal affairs. For everyday wear, choose light printed sarees in softer colors.
Design Choices: Intricate designs play a pivotal role in creating unique saree draping styles. Traditional motifs like florals and paisley carry a timeless charm that resonates with cultural heritage. Abstract prints and fusion motifs offer a contemporary twist.
Saree Draping: Step-by-Step Guide
Wearing a saree can be daunting if you don’t know the right steps on how to drape a saree. Let us understand how to wear a saree step by step easily.
Selection of the saree :
The first step is to choose a lightweight saree with a good fall and drape that is easy to handle. Now, you need to pick up a matching blouse and petticoat to go well with the saree.
Preparing the base :
Begin by wearing the blouse and petticoat. Secure it tightly around your waist. Tuck the loose end of the saree into the petticoat and then make one turn.
Pleats :
Now, bring the remaining saree in the middle of your waist and make around five to seven even pleats. Remember to fold the pleats facing left and then tuck them all into the petticoat to get a neat front.
Pin the pleats :
In the next step, you have to use a safety pin to secure the pleats at the waist so that they don’t come out.
Pallu draping :
Out of all the saree draping steps, this one is the most important. Take the remaining fabric of the saree and drape it over the left shoulder so that it falls gracefully. Secure the pallu on the shoulder using a safety pin. Here, make sure to adjust the length of the pallu as per your personal choice and height.
Final step :
Ensure all the pleats are well-aligned, and the pallu is falling nicely. In case the pleats look uneven, you can use an iron rod to straighten the pleats.
The saree draping methods can be mastered only through practice. Follow these steps, and saree draping will be so easy and effortless for you.
Innovative Draping Styles: Modern Twists to Traditional Attire
The unique saree draping styles have been tried for ages by women from different parts of India. Does that mean modern women cannot try these styles? Well, not at all! Some contemporary draping styles such as the saree gown, dhoti saree, or lehenga saree have their inspiration from the different saree draping styles.
The saree gown preferred by celebrities is a ready-to-wear drape that fuses the traditional saree with a modern Western silhouette. This ready to wear drape eliminates the hassle of making pleats and offers the convenience to wear it like a gown. This stylish drape is available in chiffons, georgettes, and satins for a chic look.
The dhoti saree is just what it sounds like fusing the attributes of a saree and a dhoti. This pre-draped saree replaces regular pleats with dhoti-like pleats. It gives a distinctive edge in the saree narrative and is a hit among fashionistas who want to experiment with contemporary saree drapes. Available in a wide range of fabrics, including cotton, rayon, and silk, the saree is a contemporary version of a timeless attire.
The lehenga saree style is an amalgamation of a lehenga and saree drape. In this style of draping, the ensemble is flared at the bottom just like a lehenga while the pallu is draped over the shoulder like a saree. A perennial party and wedding favorite, the lehenga saree is available in a variety of fabrics like silks, cotton, and organza catering to diverse preferences.
Draping Sarees for Special Occasions: Weddings, Parties, and Festivals
Saree draping styles are not only unique as they cater to individual styles, but it also gives a nod to traditional styles from specific regions. For example, Maharashtrian women will always prefer a Nauvari draping style for weddings and festivals such as Ganesh Chaturthi. Similarly, most of the traditional drapes are preferred by women for special occasions such as festivals, parties, or weddings to showcase elegance and cultural flair.
For weddings, opt for rich fabrics like silk or brocade in traditional colors like red, orange, gold or maroon and consider intricate embroidery or zari work to add opulence. Family get togethers call for vibrant hues and lighter fabrics like chiffon or georgette adorned with ethnic motifs, for parties, you can play with contemporary designs like saree gowns, dhoti gowns for a modern twist. For an added touch of cultural significance, opt for sarees that incorporate local art forms, motifs, or regional themes.
Draping Sarees for Different Body Types: Embrace Your Unique Beauty
Each of the saree draping styles offers a distinctive edge to the personality of the wearer. A woman turning up in a traditional saree draping style for a party is sure to make a fashion statement of the highest order. It also can flatter different body types that no other ensemble can.
Women with pear-shaped figures consider easy saree draping styles like Bengali or seedha pallu drape to balance proportions and draw attention upwards. Women with hourglass shape bodies can emphasize their curves with lehenga style sarees or Gujarati drape, highlighting the waist. Additionally, women with apple shaped figures can opt for ulta pllau saree draping styles to look slim. Remember, confidence is the key, choose a drape that resonates with you and let your inner beauty shine.
FAQ's on Sarees
To ensure even pleats while draping a saree, carefully fold and align the fabric while creating each pleat properly before you tuck them in the petticoat. Use safety pins to secure them in place.
Yes, the beauty of the six-yard saree is that it is so versatile, and you can choose to drape it as you prefer. You can always wear a crop top or an off-shoulder blouse with a saree and even add a belt to cinch your waist and lend a more Western appearance.
The Nauvari style of saree draping from Maharashtra or the Nivi style of saree draping from Andhra Pradesh are all the perfect saree draping styles to wear at weddings. You can try similar styles from the region you hail from, to make a unique style statement at weddings.
The right accessories can complement your saree look and make you stand out. Jadau, polki, pearl, diamonds, gold, silver, and oxidized jewelry are just a few of the honorable mentions that can make you look picture-perfect. Choose jhumkas, handballs, layered necklaces, or chokers, maang tikas, nose rings, bangles, haathphools, kamarbandh, and more to add feminine allure to your saree look.
To ensure your saree enjoys a long shelf-life always wrap it in soft mulmul clothes and store it in the wardrobe. Give it an airing from time to time. For expensive silks always dry clean your saree, and do not wash it at home with regular soap and water.
