One Saree, 8 Different Ways: Unique Saree Draping Styles To Make A Statement

5,000 years – that’s how long India’s beloved 9-yards dates back to! And, to think that the saree has remained a favourite for women across the country day after day, year after year. Safe to say that it never fails to make a statement — I mean, look at Dolly Singh and Sara Ali Khan working it on the Cannes 2023 red carpet. High on comfort and supremely versatile, sarees are ideal for both day and evening wear, making them a staple in all Indian wardrobes. Not to mention, you can wear the same saree over and over again, in countless different draping styles and with a different blouse each time – a steal deal! Today, we bring you 8 saree draping styles that are absolutely Bible for us (and our celebrities!) right now. Scroll to read and bookmark!

The Scarf Drape

As interesting as it sounds, this draping style is probably the simplest and not very different from the traditional style, albeit what sets it apart is the placement of the pallu. All you have to do to nail this style is do what Mouni Roy did, circa 2018; drape it the usual way and wrap the pallu around your neck. It’s like your regular saree just got a cool new makeover! When draping, make sure to keep the pallu slightly longer to have enough fabric to wrap around the neck and get the desired look.

Sarees that will work with this draping style:

The Pant Drape

Ditch the regular petticoat for a matching set of pants and drape your saree around it. A celebrity favourite, seen on the iconic Rekha, Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Shilpa Shetty and Sonam Kapoor, they’ve all donned this style and slayed. Contemporary with a hint of traditional, it’s comfortable, easy to carry, and functional at the same time. Add a belt around the waist to complete the look.

Sarees that will work with this draping style:

The Retro Drape

Recreate the unique drape that the actress Mumtaz popularised and sport it for your next occasion. It is unique yet timeless, and looks great when draped using sarees that have heavy embellished borders. This draping style involves wrapping the saree tightly around the lower half of your body. When draped correctly this style will help accentuate your figure.

Sarees that will work with this draping style:

The Infinity Drape

What sets this style apart from the other? In the infinity drape you can’t tell where the pallu ends. Although slightly complicated to achieve, when done correctly, this drape helps achieve a beautiful flowy effect. Start draping the saree per usual and then throw the pallu forward over either shoulder instead of taking it back. Connect the pallu to the main pleats in the centre and it’s done! We’re yet to see a celeb or influencer master this elegant drape. Try it today and it could be you!

Sarees that will work with this draping style:

The Dhoti Drape

Also called the Nauvari style, this is mostly worn by Maharashtrians, but has been picked up by other cultures as well for its ease of movement and comfort. Switch the petticoat with a pair of leggings in a similar colour. To achieve the perfect dhoti drape like Tara Sutaria in a stunning Punit Balana saree, all you need to do is tie two corners of the saree in a knot around your navel. Make sure the left side of the saree has more fabric so you can pleat it and take it between your legs to tuck it in the back. Take the right side of the remaining fabric and turn it into your pallu.

Sarees that will work with this draping style:

The Mermaid Drape

Seen on the likes of Taapsee Pannu, this draping style is perfect for cinching and accentuating your waist. It is fitted around the waist and hips ,and has a flared bottom, replicating a mermaid’s tail. This sophisticated drape is perfect for evening parties, and is ideal for sarees with a heavy border.

Sarees that will work with this draping style:

The Lehenga Drape

The most commonly chosen draping style by most brides and wedding guests alike. This can be done in two ways – one is to drape a second saree around your waist to create a skirt for a heavier look and feel. The second is to wear a lehenga skirt and drape a contrasting saree around it to create the pallu. Accessorise the saree with a belt or waist chain for a complete look.

Sarees that will work with this draping style:

The Bengali Drape

We’ll never forget the stunning Aishwarya Rai Bachchan in this dual-pallu number. The traditional Bengali style of draping a saree involves a pallu on both shoulders. Also called ‘aatpoure’ translating to eight folds. Pleat the saree per usual and tuck it in around the waist. Follow that up by making pleats to cover the upper body, throw it behind your left shoulder and bring it forward from the right. Make sure to keep the pallu long to get the desired look. The pallu creates a beautiful cowl effect in the back.

Sarees that will work with this draping style: