10 Simple and Beautiful Saree Draping Styles That Even Beginners Can Master in No Time. Also Practical Tips, Techniques and Tricks to Get it Right

The saree is one of the most iconic and graceful Indian dress. It has been in existence for centuries and has references in “Mahabharata”, an ancient Indian epic. As time passes, there are many changes, which have taken place for saree draping style. you can carry a saree in different beautiful ways.

A saree is essentially a 5-yard or a 9-yard uncut and unstitched piece of fabric, elegantly draped over a woman’s body showcasing her curves elegantly. A saree is also considered an apt offering for goddesses in various Indian religions. The saree supports many weavers whose livelihood depends on this ancient and immortal garment.

Draping a saree is an art that needs to be practised repeatedly to be perfected. A perfectly worn saree needs, very few to no safety pins. However, if you are a true beginner have copious amounts of safety pins. Though there are many different techniques for wearing a saree, the technique below is the most common one. The first step is to get everything ready (like safety pins, shoes and accessories) and wear your blouse and petticoat. Your petticoat should match your saree and should be tied firmly. Wear your heels as well. Now, follow the below steps to wear your saree perfectly.

Where the saree starts and ends matters as much as the choice of the saree and the draping of the saree. Few pressure points to be noted are the length of the pallu, the placement of the pleats and the petticoat and the length of the saree itself.

Saree is an unstitched piece of fabric which needs to be draped just right. The beauty and gracefulness of the drape come in the perfect pleats. The pleats differ depending on the type of fabric. If you are going for a flowy fabric like chiffon, the pleats can be thin, but if it’s anything grand and stiff like silk, it needs to be broad and neatly creased.

The size and the colour of the pin also matter when wearing a saree. If you wear an all-around large pin not only is it visible, it also leaves pin marks on the saree damaging its integrity. You can use large pins on your pleats at your waist but use small and coloured pins otherwise.

Are you someone who is forever in the fear of the saree loosening from the confines of the petticoat? In that case, make sure that you tuck everything inside the petticoat when you first make the full round. Maybe add a couple of safety pins. A couple more safety pins to lose your fear is worth it.

Whatever saree you choose, make sure you match the petticoat to the saree. A straight, solid coloured petticoat never goes wrong. However, if you want to accentuate your waist you can get a fish cut petticoat stitched. But remember that it goes well only in the case of the net and see through sarees. For net sarees, you can also look for shimmery satin petticoats. It adds more elegance to the net saree. But give them a cotton lining, else it sticks to your leg as you walk.

More is less when it comes to accessories for Indians. But apart from weddings or such functions, stay away from heavy accessories and let the saree sing. The saree in itself lends grace and elegance, that you will find minimal accessories work the best. But in the case of a wedding function, just go ahead and doll yourself up and let your mom smile.

The western pull has also influenced the saree and it has evolved with the changing times as it always does and has gained widespread fame. Here are a few saree draping techniques from all over India and a couple with western influences too.

Ideally, there are two ways your saree can be worn. South Indian style may be the classic draping style or Madisar or Koshavam (the way it is depicted below). Kanjeevaram is the best bet for wearing saree in this way. It shows the beauty of the saree and the zari work to its perfection. While the classic draping style requires the 5-yard saree, the Madisar or Koshavam requires a 9-yard saree.

If you are looking for a style to highlight your curves and still stick to tradition, Marathi style is the one. It is also called the Nauvari style of draping and requires a 9-yard saree. Like the name indicates, the origin of this style of draping is Maharashtra.

Have a comfortable saree with a really gorgeous pallu? It should also be slightly soft and not stiff. Bright colours with heavy embroidery works play well. Kanjeevarams and Banaras silks work well with this style of draping.

Belted saree drape is nothing new. Belted style has been there for ages with belly chains, kamarpatta, waist chains and hip chains. The classic style includes ornately carved belts predominantly in gold. The belted style is a modern take on the old classic with broad belts, thin belts, leather belts or even cloth belts cinching the saree to the waist. The belts keep the pleats in place giving a neat and sleek look.

The scarf style of wearing a saree is an edgy twist to the classical way of wearing a saree. Drape the saree just as you do and instead of pinning the pleat to the shoulder wrap it around your neck just like a scarf. Chiffon or net sarees without much embellishment work perfectly for this style of draping.

Your blouse here should not be the traditional deep neck blouse. Go for a boat neck or even a halter neck and show off those awesome shoulders. Go ahead and accessorize it any way you want. Layer some chains and go for a hippy look or add a belt for a contemporary look.

Butterfly style of draping a saree is a simple twist to the classic way of draping a saree. Here the pleats of the pallu are narrow and result in a slim column across your shoulder. A flowy fabric like net or georgette or chiffon works well for this style of draping. Silkier and embellished your saree is, more it resembles a butterfly. Also, this style requires your blouse and shoes to be ornate. This is much favoured by celebrities since it showcases a curvy body beautifully and exposes the midriff.

The fish cut style is more about the petticoat than about the saree. The fish cut style is rendered to the saree by the petticoat. The petticoat is fitted at the hip and waist and flares at the knees and below. This highlights your shape and if you have a hourglass figure, this is the one for you. The petticoats should be chosen with care and should be of materials silk, cotton or satin. The saree should also be of a silky, flowy material. You can play around with different materials with varying levels of embellishment but make sure your petticoat is fitted to your frame to achieve this style of draping.

It’s your friend’s wedding and she has set a dress code to be a lehenga. But you don’t have one! Not to worry.You can drape your saree in the lehenga style. Use any flowy or silky material like net or chiffon. The way it is worn lets you experiment with adding a belt or flaunt an embellished blouse.