The festive season is a time for celebration, joy, and of course, dressing up in your finest attire. For many women in India, the saree is the go-to choice for festive occasions, and with good reason. The saree is a versatile and elegant garment that can be draped in a variety of styles to suit any occasion. Whether you’re attending a wedding or celebrating a special occasion, the way you drape your saree can make all the difference. In this article, we’ll explore various saree draping styles that will help you stand out and make a lasting impression.
Traditional Saree Draping Styles
- Nivi Style: The Nivi style is the most common and popular saree draping style in India. It is a classic choice for any festive occasion and is known for its simplicity and elegance. To drape a saree in the Nivi style, start by tucking the saree into the petticoat at the waist, leaving a portion of the saree free. Pleat the free portion of the saree and tuck it into the petticoat at the center front. Take the remaining saree and wrap it around the waist once, bringing it back to the front. Create pleats with the remaining saree and drape it over the left shoulder, letting the pallu fall gracefully down the back. The Nivi style is perfect for those who want a traditional and timeless look.
- Bengali Style: The Bengali style of saree draping is known for its distinctive pallu, which is worn over the left shoulder and extends to the right side of the waist. To drape a saree in the Bengali style, start by tucking the saree into the petticoat at the waist, leaving a portion of the saree free. Pleat the free portion of the saree and tuck it into the petticoat at the center front. Take the remaining saree and wrap it around the waist once, bringing it back to the front. Create pleats with the remaining saree and drape it over the left shoulder, letting the pallu fall towards the right side of the waist. The Bengali style is perfect for those who want to showcase their traditional roots and add a touch of regional flair to their festive look. This saree draping style is very unique and a must-try at poojas and hawans.
- Gujarati Style: The Gujarati style of saree draping is known for its unique and intricate design. To drape a saree in the Gujarati style, start by tucking the saree into the petticoat at the waist, leaving a portion of the saree free. Pleat the free portion of the saree and tuck it into the petticoat at the center back. Take the remaining saree and bring it to the front, creating pleats and tucking them into the petticoat at the waist. Take the pallu and bring it from the back to the front, draping it over the right shoulder and letting it fall towards the left side of the waist. The Gujarati style is perfect for those who want to add a touch of regional flair to their festive look and showcase their unique sense of style. Gujrati saree draping style is a very different and beautiful style to try.
Contemporary Saree Draping Styles
- Butterfly Style: The butterfly style is a modern and chic way to drape your saree. It involves creating a butterfly-like shape with the pallu, which is then pinned at the shoulder. To drape a saree in the butterfly style, start by tucking the saree into the petticoat at the waist, leaving a portion of the saree free. Pleat the free portion of the saree and tuck it into the petticoat at the center front. Take the remaining saree and wrap it around the waist once, bringing it back to the front. Create pleats with the remaining saree and drape it over the left shoulder, letting the pallu fall towards the right side of the waist. Take the end of the pallu and bring it back towards the left shoulder, creating a butterfly-like shape. Secure the pallu with a pin at the shoulder. The butterfly style is perfect for those who want to make a bold fashion statement and add a touch of modernity to their festive look.
- Dhoti Style: The dhoti style is a fusion of traditional and contemporary elements, creating a unique and stylish look. It involves draping the saree like a dhoti, with pleats at the front and the pallu worn over the shoulder. To drape a saree in the dhoti style, start by tucking the saree into the petticoat at the waist, leaving a portion of the saree free. Pleat the free portion of the saree and tuck it into the petticoat at the center front. Take the remaining saree and wrap it around the legs, creating a dhoti-like effect. Bring the remaining saree to the front and create pleats, tucking them into the petticoat at the waist. Take the pallu and drape it over the left shoulder, letting it fall gracefully down the back. The dhoti style is perfect for those who want to experiment with their festive look and add a touch of fusion to their traditional attire. Try this saree draping style and let us know.
- Mermaid Style: The mermaid style is a glamorous and sophisticated way to drape your saree. It involves creating a fitted silhouette around the legs, with the pallu draped over the shoulder. To drape a saree in the mermaid style, start by tucking the saree into the petticoat at the waist, leaving a portion of the saree free. Pleat the free portion of the saree and tuck it into the petticoat at the center front. Take the remaining saree and wrap it tightly around the legs, creating a fitted silhouette. Bring the remaining saree to the front and create pleats, tucking them into the petticoat at the waist. Take the pallu and drape it over the left shoulder, letting it fall gracefully down the back. The mermaid style is perfect for those who want to showcase their curves and make a stunning entrance at any festive occasion.
Saree Draping Styles for Weddings
- Lehenga Style: The lehenga style is a popular choice for weddings, as it combines the elegance of a saree with the comfort of a lehenga. It involves draping the saree like a lehenga, with pleats at the front and the pallu worn over the shoulder. To drape a saree in the lehenga style, start by tucking the saree into the petticoat at the waist, leaving a portion of the saree free. Pleat the free portion of the saree and tuck it into the petticoat at the center front. Take the remaining saree and wrap it around the waist once, bringing it back to the front. Create pleats with the remaining saree and tuck them into the petticoat at the waist, creating a lehenga-like effect. Take the pallu and drape it over the left shoulder, letting it fall gracefully down the back. The lehenga style is perfect for those who want to dance the night away without worrying about their saree coming undone. Enjoy this Lehenga Style saree draping style in winter weddings and flaunt it.
- Mumtaz Style: The Mumtaz style is a classic and timeless choice for weddings. It involves draping the saree in a way that creates a fitted silhouette, with the pallu worn over the head like a veil. To drape a saree in the Mumtaz style, start by tucking the saree into the petticoat at the waist, leaving a portion of the saree free. Pleat the free portion of the saree and tuck it into the petticoat at the center front. Take the remaining saree and wrap it tightly around the waist, creating a fitted silhouette. Bring the remaining saree to the front and create pleats, tucking them into the petticoat at the waist. Take the pallu and bring it over the head, draping it like a veil. Secure the pallu with pins at the shoulder and head. The Mumtaz style is perfect for those who want to channel their inner vintage diva and add a touch of old-world glamour to their wedding look.
- Rajrani Style: The Rajrani style is a regal and opulent way to drape your saree for a wedding. It involves creating a fitted silhouette with the saree, with the pallu worn over the head and secured with a brooch. To drape a saree in the Rajrani style, start by tucking the saree into the petticoat at the waist, leaving a portion of the saree free. Pleat the free portion of the saree and tuck it into the petticoat at the center front. Take the remaining saree and wrap it tightly around the waist, creating a fitted silhouette. Bring the remaining saree to the front and create pleats, tucking them into the petticoat at the waist. Take the pallu and bring it over the head, securing it with a brooch at the center of the head. Let the remaining pallu fall gracefully down the back. The Rajrani style is perfect for those who want to make a grand entrance and steal the show at any wedding. This saree draping style is a royal drape that will make you look from a royal background.
Tips for Draping a Saree
- Choose the right fabric: When choosing a saree for a festive occasion or wedding, it’s important to choose the right fabric. Silk sarees are a popular choice for weddings and festive occasions, as they are elegant and luxurious. Cotton sarees are perfect for more casual occasions, as they are lightweight and comfortable.
- Practice makes perfect: Draping a saree can be a bit tricky, especially if you’re trying a new style. It’s important to practice draping your saree before the big day to ensure that you’re comfortable and confident with the style you’ve chosen.
- Accessorize wisely: Accessories can make or break your saree look. When accessorizing your saree, it’s important to choose pieces that complement your saree and don’t overpower it. A simple pair of earrings and a bracelet can go a long way in elevating your saree look.
- Wear the right footwear: When wearing a saree, it’s important to choose the right footwear. High heels can be uncomfortable to wear for long periods of time, especially if you’re attending a wedding or festive occasion. Opt for comfortable footwear like flats or wedges that complement your saree and allow you to move around easily.
- Experiment with different styles: Don’t be afraid to experiment with different saree draping styles. Each style has its own unique charm and can help you create a different look for each occasion. Try out different styles and see which one suits you best.
Conclusion
The saree is a timeless and versatile garment that can be draped in a variety of styles to suit any occasion. Whether you’re attending a wedding or celebrating a festive occasion, the way you drape your saree can make all the difference. From traditional styles like the Nivi and Bengali drapes to contemporary styles like the butterfly and dhoti drapes, there’s a saree draping style for everyone.
When choosing a saree draping style, it’s important to consider the occasion, your personal style, and your comfort level. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different styles and find the one that suits you best. And remember, the most important thing is to wear your saree with confidence and grace.
For those in Vijayawada looking to perfect their saree draping skills, Lushmakeovers offers the best saree draping services in the city. As the premier saree draping experts in Vijayawada, Lushmakeovers can help you achieve the perfect look for any occasion. Not only are they masters of saree draping, but Lushmakeovers is also renowned as the best makeup artist in Vijayawada, ensuring you look absolutely stunning from head to toe.
So go ahead, choose your favorite saree draping style, and let your inner diva shine through this festive season! And if you need a helping hand, remember that Lushmakeovers is there to make sure you look your absolute best for any special occasion in Vijayawada.