I seen so many times the way of saree draping style is common to all with basic and straightforward. Then I was trying to research and feel that there are hundreds of traditional draping styles of saree in India. But the problem is that people are unaware of it. Here I have collected some fantastic saree draping styles which so famous all over India.
Why is Saree Draping so popular? Draping saree is so famous due to it is more art than a technique. It’s unique comfortable, a symbol of Hindu culture. Saree draping always creates a huge difference in the look that how you are wearing the saree. Saree is Fabric that worn by women in India and which is originated from India only. It generally comes with a length of 4.5 to 8 meters & 60cm to 1.20 meter in breadth.
It wrapped around the waist, and one end draped over the shoulder. There are a lot of fabrics use for saree like Cotton, chiffon, crepe, georgette, tusser, linen. There are different draping styles follow in different parts of India according to the region, culture & tradition; Now we are going to discuss Saree Draping in 15 Ways.
The saree draping style varies in India & it based on religion, custom & tradition. There is a different region having there different customs and cultures, food, festival, lifestyle & language (North, south, east, west, and central). Therefore the draping style also varies from each other. The sari draping style is gorgeous.
What are the Different Types of Saree Draping Style?
There are two types of draping style one is a traditional way, and another is Indo-Western draping style. If you are wearing a traditional saree, then follow the conventional way else you can try the indo-western method for a modern look.
Traditional Way: Maharashtrian Style, Bengal Style, Kerala style, Gujarati style, Madurai Style, Odishi style, Assamese Style, Pinkos style, Koli Style, Halakki Vokkaliga Style, Kappulu Style, Kunbi Style, Coorgy Style, Nivi style, Twisted Pallu style, Santhal Style, Surguja Style, Rajasthani Style, Purnia Style & Gol Parsi Saree.
Most Popular Traditional Saree Draping Style in India (Top 20)
India is a country unity of diversity, every state having their rich culture and tradition. Moreover, the Saree draping style also differs from state to state as per the customs. The particular fashion trend also plays a significant role in draping saree. Here are the most popular saree draping styles adopted by people in different parts of the nation.
1. Maharashtrian Style (Maharastra)
Maharashtrian style saree draping adopted by belonging to the people of the state of Maharashtra. The look of the draping style of saree is unusual, and it gives a dhoti look from the lower and the back part. While draping the wearer makes pleats in the front of saree and pull the bunch of creases from the front and insert the same at the back part of the waist. Then the other end of the sari is tied in the front. Next, another part of the sari that comes in the front, and it’s cover the chest of the women.
2. Bengal Style (West Bengal)
Bengali saree draping style wears by the women of West Bengal that is the eastern part of India. After that, the women of Bangladesh also wear the Bengali style of saree. After draping the sari inserting from left front till right with the big pleats from the right and left approaching near the hip, the cloth is again overturned and taken up covering the chest and down the left shoulder. The end portion of the sari still is overlapped from the back and gets down from either right or left shoulder.
3. Gujarati Style (Gujrat)
Gujarati saree draping style mainly wears People staying in Gujarat. You need to wear the sari in the usual way. Only the pallu will fall in front of the right shoulder and will cover the chest with pleats. Since most of the saris have heavy work over the pallu or anchal, the gorgeous work will fall in the front only when you are draping the sari in the Gujarati style. Thus, the Gujarati style of wearing sari has the advantage of showing maximum beautiful work to the viewer.
4. Kerala Style (Kerala)
It’s the traditional style of saree adopted by people staying in Kerala. In the ancient form of sari draping style in this form include covering only the lower portion of the body with the sari. Here the Neriyathu is tucked inside of the blouse. If you visit the southern part of India, you can see ladies wearing the sari in this style with white flowers in their hair and lots of gold jewelry. The type of sari which they drape is known as Kerala cotton, which is today famous and in demand not only in Kerala but also in other states.
5. Madurai Style (Tamil Nadu)
The Madurai traditional sari style which is also known as flower seller sari draping style. The top draping style remains the same; only the lower portion is draped like the dhoti.
6. Odissi Style (Orissa)
Odissi draping sari style adopted by people in Orissa. The dance form associated with this sari draping style is Odissi. It’s one of the most popular classical dance forms of India, which is adopted by traditional dancers from various parts of the nation.
7. Assamese Style (Assam)
The Assam draping saree style also one of the popular in India. Assam female wears a different type of saree popularly known as Mekhla. This saree is different from the normal variation of saree; their saree comes in 3 parts. One is the lower part known as the skirt, the chador, which used as an anchal just like a dupatta and the blouse piece. The three sections make the wearing of saree natural. But, once you wear the Mekhla, it will look precisely like saree. But, there is a slight difference in making pleats of saree.
8. Pinkos (Tamil Nadu)
South India state Tamilnadu people who stay in this region of India have a different style of saree draping. Yes, Tamil Pinkosu is a different style of draping saree where the pleats of saree placed at the back of the women. The saree draping style makes you look elegant with an appearance of lifted hips. The pleats are started at the right edge of saree, and with the technique that the creases will fall around the outside portion of the wrap. The top part also gets a flip to the top border. Mostly, the cotton handloom sarees suite well with this style.
9. Koli Style (Maharastra)
Fisher’s woman looks beautiful with their style of draping a sari, and it also called Koli style. Since they have to work throughout the day, they cannot wrap the sari in such a way that it will lead to falling out.
10. Halakki Vokkaliga Style (Karnataka)
Karnataka saree draping style is also different from other techniques in India. Halakki Vokkaliga is the aboriginals of Karnataka and lives at the base of the Western Ghats. Mainly, the women of this aborigine wear this different saree-draping style, hence the name. The saree is first tied around the neck and then wrapped around under the shoulders like a Sarong, which makes a blouse or petticoat completely unnecessary. Along with the saree, women wear a lot of accessories, like colorful flowers and beads, to complete their look.
11. Kappulu Style (Andhra Pradesh)
Kappulu is worn only by the older women of the kappulu cast in Andhra Pradesh. Unlike regular sarees that wrapped from right to left, this style requires women to drape a saree from left to right. The Garment has two main features – one is the slight and slender pleat at the back that enhances a woman’s curves, while the other is the falls of cloth created by twisting the end around the body two times. The veil is taken from the front over the right shoulder to either hang loose or wrapped around the neck.
12. Kunbi Style (Goa)
Kunbi or goa saree-draping style, which was followed by the tribal women of Goa way before the Portuguese arrived in the 16th century. It is an original draping style; Requires wrapping the saree around the waist and merely knotting it on the right shoulder. Tied much above the ankles to provide ease and comfort to the women working in rice fields.
13. Coorgy Style (Karnataka)
This style is perfect for traditional family functions or festival-related occasions. It perfectly unveils our traditional Indian culture and traditional values. Do the bottom portion the same as a basic saree style. Take the pallu, wrap it around the body, and fix it with the pin on the blouse. Bring one edge of the pallu over the left shoulder and set it there. Keep the wrap loose and make neat pleats for the clean look. Gear up, ladies!!!
14. Nivi Style (Andhra Pradesh)
This one is the most commonly used style of saree, especially in the Northern region of India. Widely known as ‘Ulta pallu,’ Nivi style sarees have been the easiest and admiring draping. The locales are pretty accustomed to this number and do it within a couple of minutes. So now you can use the same colored petticoat & blouse. Tuck in your saree from the other end and drape it round to the front, and then cover it from the left shoulder. Make 6-7 pleats and then tuck them in as well. Now focus on the untied portion and tuck it rightly into the petticoat.
15. The Twisted Pallu
We all love the neatly pinned pallu at the shoulder, but to add that will extra oomph what you can do is twist the pallu like you would wrap as a scarf and get your saree to be the center of attraction.
16. Santhal Style (Jharkhand)
This Draping style is famous in Tribal-state Jharkhand and its wear by the tribal people. The look of draping style is similar to Bengali saree, and its simple to wear from others. Make the box pleat at the back and place the pallu over the left shoulder in the triangle form. The rest of the pallu tucked in the front part.
17. Surguja Style (Chattisgarh)
Surguja draping Style is one of the simple, pretty, and easy to carry Drape form. Its majorly wear by the dancers of the Oran community from Chattisgarh. It used to wear around the waist and give a loose twirl effect on the back. Then the free end tuck in the front and back part, and it provides enough space for the movement during the dance.
18. Rajasthani Style (Rajasthan)
The Rajasthani draping style of a saree is very similar to that of the Gujarati style. But there is one adjustment that makes all the difference in the draping. The end of the pallu, which left free in the Gujarati style, pinned to the back of the blouse by the Rajasthani women.
19. Purnia Style (Bihar)
Purnia Women in the rural area of Bihar prefer to drape their saree called Purnia style. It is a conservative way of wearing a saree, which allows them to cover their heads as well.
20. Gol Parsi Saree (Goa)
Gol saree is a Parsi drape especially wear by the people of Goa. It is very conservative but a brilliant choice if you want to display the work on your saree. It elegant and worn by many female politicians as well.
Related Questions
How Can You Learn Different Style Saree Draping?
There are lots of videos available on youtube, Try different draping style, and here in this article, I have given some information that you can follow for the same.
How to Drape a Saree to Look Slim and Tall?
There are many ways to looking slim & tall while draping a saree
1. One preferred light-weighted fabric like chiffon and georgette, and many more that’s available in the market and avoid stiff material.
2. Second is while draping the saree, make the crease tightly, and tie it correctly.
3. All ways prefer dark colors.
4. Tuck the saree below the Naval point.
5. Prefer to make small creases and choose short border saree.
How to Drape Saree in Lehenga Style?
If you bored with typical draping style, then this time, try lehenga style draping saree. It needs three-part one is skirt (Bottom part) blouse (Upper portion) and over this put the dupatta in lehenga style. Everyone will compliment you because of its looks gorgeous.
How to Drape a Saree During Pregnancy?
Pregnancy is a crucial stage in life for every woman. Now its a very challenging time for what to wear to feel comfortable. Saree is very comfortable to wear for this period. Below I am sharing some tips that can help you to wear them quickly and enjoy comfortably with your motherhood.
1. Choose the Right fabric that should be cool and comfortably breathable (Ex-cotton & linen)
2. Prefer light wears saree and drape it like it should cover the belly and with a stylish loose fitted blouse.
3. If there will be any specific occasion is there then prefer to wear Chanderi saree, not heavy silk saree.
4. Always Wear the saree on the top of the belly and now below, and it will help to avoid any mark on the stomach.
5. Avoid wearing heels with saree and will suggest wearing a flat sleeper with the saree.
6. There is three comfortable draping style during pregnancy you can prefer Bengali style, Gujarati style, and coorgy style.
Which type of silk saree draping is best for fat girls, single pleats, or multiple pleats?
Now you can look slim in both ways of saree draping if you are good at saree draping. The way you carry makes the difference. No doubt, the fabric plays a vital role in looking slim, but here I am concentrating only on saree drape.
When it comes to multiple pleats, go for small and number creases and set on your front in such a way that your curves little visible from sides, the gaps from the sides give the illusion of slim look. Don’t go for wide pleats that offer a significant look.
To get the perfect slim look, make multiple creases and make sure those pleats nicely arranged as it is how you do it in many pleats. Now, pin only one pleat and leave the remaining ridges on your hand without disturbing the ribs on hand. So, one side the she-curve is visible and gives an utterly feminine look.
What is a traditional Odia-style saree draping for a bride and can use nowadays?
In Odisha, there is three traditional Odia style saree wearing ways to wear a saree /Sadhi. In Odisha, classic style is feet of an Odia lady will see, and Odhna (face coverage) is one hand length in case of the newly married girl. When she becomes 1yr old, her Odhna becomes short. As per labor, Odia ladies wear different style saree.
Why is low waist saree draping becoming so common among youngsters?
The trends can trace back to earlier ages. The male Gods we worship depicted as shirtless, revealing more than a navel. Nowadays a lot of celebrity is wearing low waist draping saree. Therefore it’s a new trend for youngsters.
