Sarees are one of the most timeless and elegant pieces of clothing in Indian culture. They not only reflect tradition but also add an element of grace to the wearer. With its rich cultural history, the saree has been styled and draped in numerous ways across regions in India, with each style showcasing a unique aspect of the country’s diverse heritage.

While the saree is traditionally six to nine yards of fabric, its appeal lies in its versatility. There are countless ways to drape a saree, allowing women to express themselves in modern or traditional styles depending on the occasion. In this guide, we’ll walk through some of the most popular and unique ways to wear a saree, highlighting styles from different states of India and modern twists on this ancient garment.

1. The Nivi Style (Traditional South Indian)

The Nivi drape is the most commonly worn saree style today and originates from Andhra Pradesh. It’s simple, elegant, and perfect for daily wear or formal occasions. Here’s how you can drape it:

How to Wear:

1. Tuck the plain end of the saree into the petticoat, starting at the right side of your waist and continue to wrap it around your body once, fully covering your lower half.
2. Create pleats (approximately 5-6 pleats) in the front by holding the saree’s length and folding it back and forth evenly. Tuck the pleats into the petticoat at your navel.
3. Take the loose end (pallu) of the saree and drape it over your left shoulder, ensuring it flows down your back.

Occasions:

This style is suitable for office wear, formal occasions, and even weddings when paired with luxurious silk or designer sarees.

2. The Bengali Saree Style

The Bengali style saree drape is widely popular and distinct, often seen in festivals, especially during Durga Puja. It exudes tradition, grace, and comfort, usually worn with heavy border sarees.

How to Wear:

1. Wrap the saree around your waist from right to left, tucking the top edge into your petticoat.
2. Drape it around again without pleats.
3. Take the pallu from the right side and drape it over your left shoulder.
4. The signature Bengali touch comes with the loose, unpleated pallu. You can secure it with a large brooch for added flair.
5. For a traditional look, loop the end of the pallu around your waist and knot it with the fabric near the right shoulder.

Occasions:

This style is perfect for cultural events, weddings, and traditional festivals.

3. The Gujarati Saree Style

The Gujarati or Seedha Pallu style is unique as it features the pallu draped in front rather than the back. This style is common in Gujarat and Rajasthan and is typically worn at weddings or religious ceremonies.

How to Wear:

1. Begin by tucking the plain end of the saree into your petticoat, wrapping it from right to left around your waist.
2. Make front pleats and tuck them neatly into the petticoat at your navel.
3. Instead of draping the pallu over your left shoulder, bring it across your chest from left to right and drape it over your right shoulder. The pallu should be long enough to cover your midriff.
4. Secure the pallu on your shoulder with a pin.

Occasions:

This style is best for festive occasions, weddings, and family gatherings.

4. The Maharashtrian Nauvari Style

The Nauvari saree drape, meaning “nine yards,” is a traditional Maharashtrian style. This unique drape allows for ease of movement, resembling the traditional dhoti worn by men, and is often seen in festive dances like Lavani or during celebrations such as Ganesh Chaturthi.

How to Wear:

1. The saree is worn without a petticoat, starting at the waist, wrapping around like a dhoti.
2. The lower part is pleated and tucked between the legs for ease of movement.
3. The remaining fabric is draped over the shoulder in a similar fashion to the Nivi style.
4. The pallu is either pleated or left flowing, depending on the occasion.

Occasions:

This saree style is seen in traditional Marathi weddings, cultural dances, and festivals.

5. The Kerala Kasavu Style

The Kerala Kasavu saree, worn during the festival of Onam, is a simple yet elegant white or cream saree with a golden border. The drape is relatively simple, but the charm lies in the fabric and the striking contrast of the border.

How to Wear:

1. Start by tucking the plain end of the saree into the petticoat and wrap it around once.
2. Make pleats in the front and tuck them at your navel.
3. Take the pallu over your left shoulder and let it fall elegantly.

Occasions:

Onam, Vishu, and Kerala weddings are the main events where the Kasavu style is worn.

6. The Lehenga Style

The Lehenga saree drape is a modern twist on the saree, combining elements of a lehenga and saree. It’s a great option for women who want a fusion look without compromising the beauty of traditional clothing.

How to Wear:

1. Start by making small pleats with the saree and tuck them into the petticoat as you would for a lehenga.
2. Wrap the saree around your waist with pleats until you reach the pallu.
3. Drape the pallu over your left shoulder and secure it.
4. The bottom pleats mimic the look of a lehenga skirt.

Occasions:

Perfect for weddings, receptions, or grand parties where you want to make a statement.

7. The Butterfly or Bollywood Style

The Butterfly style is a glamorous drape often seen in Bollywood movies. This modern style is characterized by a thin pallu draped in a way that showcases the midriff.

How to Wear:

1. Start with a basic Nivi drape, tucking the plain end into the petticoat and wrapping it around your waist.
2. Make front pleats and tuck them in at your navel.
3. Drape the pallu very thinly over your shoulder, spreading the end out like butterfly wings. Ensure the pallu is transparent or thin to achieve this effect.

Occasions:

This style is ideal for parties or glamorous events where a contemporary, bold look is desired.

8. The Mumtaz Style

The Mumtaz style is named after the Bollywood actress Mumtaz, who popularized this look in the 1960s and 70s. This retro style is characterized by multiple tight layers around the lower body.

How to Wear:

1. Begin by tucking the plain end into the petticoat and wrap it tightly around your waist.
2. Create several tight, snug layers that hug your body.
3. Drape the pallu over your left shoulder, keeping it short.

Occasions:

This style is perfect for retro-themed parties or events where you want a vintage Bollywood look.

9. The Dhoti Style

The Dhoti saree style is a modern, edgy take on the traditional saree drape. It mimics the look of a dhoti and is perfect for fashion-forward women who want something trendy and comfortable.

How to Wear:

1. Wear leggings or a dhoti-style pant as a base.
2. Start draping the saree at the back, tucking it in and bringing it between your legs like a dhoti.
3. The pallu can be draped over the shoulder, while the lower pleats are tucked in at the waist.

Occasions:

Great for cocktail parties or fashion events where you want to stand out.

10. The Rajrani Style

The Rajrani drape gives an extremely royal and regal appearance. It resembles the Gujarati drape but with a more opulent and layered look.

How to Wear:

1. Start with the pallu draped in the Gujarati style.
2. Make large pleats that go over the shoulder and fall to the front.
3. Wrap the saree around twice to create a royal, layered effect.

Occasions:

Ideal for weddings or grand ceremonies where a royal look is desired.

Conclusion:

The saree is a versatile garment that can be styled in a multitude of ways, each style telling a different story. Whether you’re embracing tradition with the Nivi drape or experimenting with modern twists like the Dhoti or Lehenga style, the saree remains a symbol of grace and elegance. Each region of India has contributed to the beauty of the saree by creating unique draping styles that suit their cultural context.

Learning how to drape a saree can take some practice, but once mastered, it allows you to celebrate the