Create a New Outfit Each Time with 14 Unique Saree Draping Styles: Choose from a Mix of Old and New Drapes from Across India (2019)

The scintillating saga of a saree dates back to the ancient times in India and today, it still triumphantly walks down the aisle being the show stopper! Yes, our very own saree has never lost its significance in the Indian fashion industry and in fact, the draping techniques have only evolved with times to be in lieu of the current trends. This article below throws light on the various saree draping styles adopted by different states in India. Every state in India has a unique saree draping style which is pretty much, its own cultural and traditional attire as well.

Every state has a different style of draping the 9 yards of a saree. Some states use only a 6 yards saree while some prefer the 9. The draping techniques vary immensely. A saree is nothing but a long piece of cloth in various fabrics, either 6 yards or 9 yards long. Most cultures wear a blouse and a petticot to cover the torso and the bottom respectively and the saree has to be draped over these. A petticoat is like a skirt which is worn below the saree to cover the bottom and also to allow tucking in of the saree. A blouse is a garment worn to cover the upper portion of a woman's body. There are various styles of blouses worn in different states as well. Mentioned below is a description of saree draping styles in different states of India.

Seedha Pallu is an everyday saree draping style in Gujarat, Odisha and Uttar Pradesh. This technique resembles a lehenga where the saree pallu is used instead of the dupatta. This style allows freedom of movement. It is very practical for heavy sarees with a heavy pallu as the shoulder need not carry the weight of the heavy pallu. This style is also preferred for sarees with a heavy pallu border especially when the intricate work on the border and pallu has to be demonstrated.

The Bengali style of saree draping looks very elegant. This pattern is quite unique when compared to other drapes because it features a box pleat in the front. The pallu is taken from back to the front on both sides. Traditional Bengali women carry their bunch of keys attached to their pallus over the right shoulder. This style had symbolic importance as the head woman of the family. It was considered a matter of great pride to be carrying the bunch of keys of the entire household on the shoulder.

One distinct feature of the Nauvari style drape is that it has to be worn around the legs like a dhoti. Women usually wear this saree without a petticoat while some wear tight fitting leggings or pants underneath. This 9-yard saree signifies the importance of the strong and independent women of Maharashtra. The upper part of this saree is worn like a normal saree while the bottom part resembles a dhoti. This style of saree is worn by lavani folk dancers. It allows easy movement of the legs while raising the aesthetic appeal of the attire.

The Madisaru saree worn by the Iyer and Iyengar women of Tamil Nadu after marriage is traditionally worn on special occasions. It is considered one of the toughest saree draping styles. They use only 6 yards of saree and wear it without a blouse or a petticoat. This style of draping is also known as the ardhanareeswara style as it resembles a dhoti on the lower half and a normal pleated saree on the upper half. This style also does not use any blouse or petticoat.

A very traditional Andhra style drape worn by Kappulu caste, this style is very elegant and accentuates the curves of a woman's body. It is wrapped from the left to the right, unlike other styles which are tied from the right to the left. The longer the saree, the more elegant this style looks. It features narrow pleats at the back which flatters the form of a woman's body. Two cascades of cloth are formed by twisting the end piece two times around the body in this saree draping style which is a unique feature of this drape. The pallu is thrown over the right shoulder and some women just choose to hang it loose while some choose to wrap it around the neck to cover both the shoulders.

Another style is popular in the Andhra - Nivi Drape. The modern style of saree draping today is derived from the Nivi drape. This style was mostly worn by aristocrats and it does not very work friendly. It showcases a woman's curves in the most elegant way and looks very royal.

The gol saree worn by Parsis is quite simple and elegant. Parsi women begin to wear a saree after their Saree Perawan Ceremony which is a ritual. Most of these women prefer to wear light chiffon sarees or georgette sarees. They call the pallu as the gara and take it from behind draped over the blouse. The pallu hangs in loose folds over the left shoulder. It is then brought over to the right shoulder to demonstrate the folds in the front. The front of the pallu is taken very close to the hem below.

The Coorgi style of saree draping is mentioned in the popular story of Agastya and Kaveri. This style of draping has evolved over the years to help the Coorgi women lead an active life which includes climbing the mountainous terrains of their region daily. This style is worn with a full sleeved blouse and has pleats at the back. The end of the saree is brought below the left shoulder and then secured over the right shoulder with a firm knot known as ' Molakattu'. Many brides today, wear their red and gold silk kanjeevaram sarees in a similar fashion.

The Kunbi saree drape or Christian style of draping a saree was followed by the tribal women in Goa before the Portuguese came in the 16th century. It is a very basic style of wearing a saree by wrapping it around the body and knotting it over the right shoulder. It is a very work friendly style which was tied a little above the ankles and did not require a peticot or a blouse.

A mekhela chador is widely worn in Assam. It is a style of wearing Assam handloom saree. It comes in two pieces - the bottom which is worn like a sarong with pleats in the front and one end of the upper garment is tucked into the left side of the waist like a triangle and the other is thrown over the shoulder like a shawl.

This elegant saree draping style is worn by the Oraon community of Chattisgarh. This style uses 5.3 yards saree. A whirling effect is made at the end in this style and the loose ends are tucked in the front to allow freedom of movement.

Saree draping styles have evolved over the years with many women taking a modern outlook to this very ancient garment. A saree is also one of the most adaptable and moldable garment forms and mentioned below are some unique and offbeat saree draping styles for the modern women of today.

The saree has been quite famous in Bollywood too with many actresses giving us major saree draping goals with their patented styles. One such style is famously known as the Mumtaz style patented by yesteryear actress Mumtaz from Bollywood. This one gives a great party look especially with chiffon sarees and blingy borders. Watch the tutorial to see how it is draped.

This dhoti style saree draping technique was made famous by Bahubali's wife Devasena in the epic period film 'Bahubali' recently. This style is gaining a lot of popularity amongst the trendsetters of today and looks great with stylish blazer blouses and dhoti pants. This is not like the Nauvari drape from Maharashtra as this one requires wearing a separate dhoti below the saree, unlike the Nauvari drape in which the saree itself is tied giving the look of a dhoti from below.

A modern take on saree draping, this style is meant for the non-bulky women who do not mind raising the heat! You need to pleat the top part of yor pallu into a very thin fan-like pleats while creating a butterfly-shape at the lower part of the pallu. This style can be worn with another variation by pleating the pallu into one column only and taking it across the torso.

The latest trend in saree draping, this one accentuates a woman's curves further by adding a belt on the waist. Different kinds of belts can be worn over your pleats in a regular pleated style or a Gujarati style saree drape. Designers today are experimenting with different styles of embroidered belts, leather belts, patchwork belts and other kinds to match with the saree.

While you may choose any of the above mentioned draping styles for a function, you have to remember some important tips to look graceful in a saree.

While choosing accessories for your sarees, you have to keep in mind the occasion. The success of wearing a saree perfectly melts down to attention to detail. Pay attention to colour coordination when you match your bindi, nail polish and hair accessories to bring out the end look perfectly. If you are wearing a heavy saree, choose a matching choker necklace or you could let go of the necklace completely and concentrate on the dangling earrings only. Some sarees call for heavy neckpieces especially if they are plain in the front. But if you are planning to wear a saree for a simple occasion or everyday wear, then you could make do with a light pendant and matching earrings as well.

The most important rule in carrying any garment well is 'oodles of confidence'. Choose a draping style that makes you confident. Do not wear something that will compel you to keep checking your pleats, your blouse or your looks. A saree looks best when a woman wearing it carries it with ease, confidence and elegance. It is easy to look clumsy and not-too-comfortable in your saree if you have adorned it for the first time or you have selected a drape style that makes you conscious. For the newbees, it is best to try a saree draping rehearsal at home before you step out in a saree for an event.

Many women end up looking disastrous choosing the wrong footwear with their elegant sarees. If you think that you can wear sneakers below your saree, then you are definitely wrong. Better change the garment as well if you are too inclined towards your sneakers. A saree calls for proper footwear beneath to accentuate its charm. Ballerina flats, sneakers and casual platform heels ruin the look of a saree completely. The best footwear to go with sarees are sandals, formal wedges and stilettos.