Sarees have been ruling our wardrobes for generations now. From the passed-on Banarasi saree from your grandmother to the flowy georgette piece you bought for an office function, each saree has a story. But if you are someone who drapes any saree in the same, usual way before any function you head for, let’s try adding a little spark to your overall look. “How?” You might ask. Here’s an idea- add a dupatta.
If you also grew up draping your mom’s dupatta as a saree during playtime, this style is perfect for you.
You can try this style as a fusion fit or for a traditional event where you need your outfit to be over the top. For added drama, switch up patterns, mix fabrics, and play with contrasting colors.
Here are some ways you can drape a dupatta with your saree and make your outfit stand out:
Table of Contents
1. The Diagonal Shoulder Trail
If you’re attending an engagement or a grand function and are looking for something to add that extra drama to your outfit, this style was made for you. All you need is a dupatta that contrasts with your saree and 5 extra minutes of draping time.
Once you are done draping the saree in a usual way, just throw the dupatta on one shoulder and pin it diagonally across the body on the waist, as well as on the shoulder. For extra effects, let the additional fabric flow behind you as a trail.
2. Lehenga Style Drape
For this style, you just need to drape your saree normally, with the pallu falling a little short (so it ends around your hip). Pick a net or tissue dupatta, make neat pleats in it, and once done, treat that as your pallu and pin it on your shoulder, and tuck the other half on your waist. Go for saris in heavier fabrics like Banarasi sarees or silk sarees, so you already have some weight and structure.
3. The Classic Double Drape
If you’re inspired by the royalty of Rajasthan or Bollywood in any way, this double pallu drape is going to be your favorite. For this look, you need to pleat and drape your dupatta over one shoulder, and your saree pallu over the other, so that the two mirror each other. Go for a dupatta in the same color palette as your saree for a regal, put-together look.
4. The Back Drape Looks
While most designer sarees have a front pallu drape, this style drapes over the back and creates a visual difference. This one is fairly easy and doesn’t take half as much time and effort as the other styles. You just have to fold your dupatta in half and throw it from one shoulder to another in a way that it creates a loop in the back.
5. Create an Illusion with a Half-Saree Look
While half sarees are fun, there aren’t many occasions that match the vibe of one. This style is for those who want to wear a half saree, but don’t want to own one.
When you drape your base sari, don’t pleat the pallu. Instead, take a dupatta, tuck one end on the side of your waist, and pleat and pin the rest on your shoulder.
This style works beautifully with an organza or a sheer net dupatta.
Styling Tips for a Double Pallu Style
- Play with Contrasts
Don’t know how to add a dupatta to your Indian saree? Pick any dupatta in a contrasting colour, pattern, or texture, and you are set for most of your styling. You just have to ensure that the tones don’t clash too loudly. Your outfit, your freedom to mix and match!
- Choosing the Right Blouse
When layering with a second dupatta, choosing the correct blouse style is very important. Since the drape adds focus on the blouse, go for a halter neck, off shoulder, collar blouse, or full sleeves blouse, depending on the drape you choose. If it’s a back drape, shift the focus to your blouse. For a more structured drape like a double dupatta look, go for a well-fitted blouse without a collar.
- Accessories Change the Game
While a dupatta is an accessory in itself, in a situation where your dupatta becomes one with your saree, take support of earrings, bangles, danglers, and even belts to elevate your look. For a simple dupatta drape, accessorise heavily, and on the contrary, tone down on the accessories if your dupatta is a heavy one. If you’re going for a simple front drape, consider adding a belt to add more structure and enhance your silhouette.
- Pin Up Smartly
When it comes to a dupatta with sari draping, the key lies in using pins smartly. Since you will be working with a lot of pleats and folds, pins ensure they stay in place and don’t make your outfit look shabby. If you are planning to wear a light fabric like chiffon or georgette sarees, use smaller pins to avoid holes. You can also add a fancy saree pin to secure your waist pleats.
- Keep It Balanced
While playing with different colors, patterns, and textures can be fun, it is very important to know how to balance them. For a heavy saree, consider adding a lightweight layer; vice versa for a lighter saree, look for dupattas with heavy border work. In case the whole outfit is grand, go minimal on jewelry. When you balance well, each element stands out individually, and the outfit as a whole becomes multifolds better.
Closing Thoughts
While a sari is six yards of heritage and elegance, it is also versatile in styling. Adding a dupatta to the saree just turns the whole ensemble into a statement outfit. If you are thinking about adding extra flair to your favorite silk, georgette, banarasi, or cotton sarees for an upcoming event, dig into your dupatta collection as well.
One piece of cloth, six yards of elegance, five different styles, and a simple twist to your saree will give you endless styles.
