DIFFERENT

SAREE DRAPES
AND MODERN
WAY OF
WEARING

CREATED BY-
PRAGATI RASTOGI
 INDEX
TOPICS
Introduction
Athpourey Shari drape from Bengal
Nivi drape from Andhra Pradesh
Mekhela chador from Assam
Nauvari saree from Maharashtra
Namboothiri from Kerala
Mohiniyattam from Kerala
Seedha pallu from Gujarat, UP and Odisha
Surguja from Chhattisgarh
Bootheyara from Karnataka
Coorgi style from Karnataka
Gol sari (Parsi Drape)
Madisaru from Tamil Nadu
Santhal drape from Jharkhand
Pinkosu from Madurai
Kunbi drape from Goa
Innaphi and Phanek from Manipur
Purnia from Bihar
Rajasthani style
 THEN SOME SLIDES OF MODERN WAYS OF WEARING A SAREE
INTRODUCTION

3
 STYLES FROM
DIFFERENT PARTS
OF INDIA
One Of The Best Attire Is Which Every Women Can Flaunt
Themselves Is Saree. No Matter Whether You Are An Indian, A
British Or An American, A Saree Draped On You Make You Look
Set Apart From All Kind Of Ethnic Wears. Moreover, With The
Merge Of Western Outfit Wearing Styles, Saree Has A New
Outlook On The Ramps, In Films And In The Red Carpets Of
Various Events.
India Is A Saree Trove And Every Region Has A Unique Saree
Draping Style. Thus, The Fashion Of Saree Never Fades. India Is
A Land Of Multiple Cultures And Traditions That Goes Back
Centuries. Attire, Food, Rituals, Festivals Etc Are All Influenced By
These Cultures And Traditions. Clothes And Fashion In India Are
Strongly Inspired By The Local Culture. While The Saree Is An
Outfit That Is Worn By Women All Over India, The Way This
Garment Is Draped And Styled Differs From Region To Region. 
 ATHPOUREY
SHARI DRAPE
FROM BENGAL
One of the most recognizable
saree draping style is the
Bengali style. Unlike the
modern day saree, it has a box
pleat at the front. The pallu
comes from back to the front
on both sides. Traditionally a
bunch of keys was attached to
the pallu thrown over the right
shoulder. This signified the
most important woman in the
NIVI DRAPE FROM
ANDHRA
PRADESH
Modern day saree drape is
derived from the Nivi
drape of Andhra Pradesh.
This style was mostly
worn by the aristocracy.
Though not very work
friendly, this style
accentuates a woman’s
curves in the best way and
looks extremely regal. 6
 MEKHELA
CHADOR FROM
ASSAM
One of the most elegant
ways to wear a Assam
handloom saree, the
Mekhela chador is worn
by the petite beauties of
Assam. It comes in two
main pieces — the bottom
is worn like a sarong with
pleats in the front whereas
one end of the upper 7
NAUVARI SAREE
FROM
MAHARASHTRA
The Nauvari or the original
nine-yard saree speaks volumes
about the strong, independent
women of Maharashtra. This
saree draping style is
distinguished by its unusual
draping pattern which
necessitates it being worn
around the legs like a dhoti
while the upper part is worn like
a normal saree. One of the best
examples of the nauvari saree is 8
 NAMBOOTHIRI
FROM KERALA
The Namboothiri is an ancient
remnant of a saree
worn in Kerala used to cover
only the lower part of the body.
The mundum neriyathum
combination of the mundum, or
the lower garment and the
neriyathum or the upper
garment. Latter of the Saree is
tucked inside the blouse or
thrown over the left shoulder. In 9
 MOHINIYATTAM
FROM KERALA
This drape is primarily worn by the
Golla (shepherd) and the Gudati
Kapulu (agriculturist) communities
of Narasannapalle, a village in the
Kadapa district of Andhra Pradesh.
Though the drape begins like a
normal nivi drape, once the pleats
are made, they are twisted around
the body and tucked at the waist
from the other end instead of the
front. The pleats are rolled outwards
and secured by wrapping them over
with the innermost layer. The lower
borders are picked then at the two 10
 SEEDHA PALLU
FROM GUJARAT,
UP AND ODISHA
In everyday saree draping style in
Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh and
Odisha, this saree drape resembles
a lehenga choli where the pallu of
the saree is used in place of the
dupatta. This permits immense
freedom of movement and works
very well for heavy sarees where
the shoulder doesn’t have to carry
the weight of the heavily worked
pallu. The pallu in the front is 11
 SURGUJA FROM
CHHATTISGARH
One of the most elegant
ways of draping a saree,
this style is worn by the
dancers of the Oraon
community of Chattisgarh.
A 5.3-yard saree is used to
create a stand out whirling
effect at the end. The
loose ends are tucked in
the front and the back as it 12
 BOOTHEYARA
FROM
KARNATAKA
Ceremonial performers of
nomadic origin are associated
with this style. Draped from an
8-yard saree, this can be used
either as a one-piece lower pant
style drape, or a two-piece
drape which involves a shawl to
cover the bust, depending on
the comfort of the wearer. The
best saree for this style is a
cotton or a cotton-silk blend 13
 COORGI STYLE
FROM
KARNATAKA
The Coorgi style finds a mention
in a popular story of Kaveri and
Agastya. This draping style
evolved to help Coorgi women
lead an active life — climbing the
hilly slopes of the Western Ghats
and trees on a daily basis.
Traditionally, paired with a full
sleeved blouse, this style has
pleats at the back. The end of the
sari is brought below the left
shoulder, and secured over the
right shoulder in a firm knot 14
 GOL SARI
(PARSI DRAPE)
The simple, but elegant Parsi
drape is worn by most Parsi
women during festivities, and
even on a regular basis. Parsi
women begin wearing a saree
after the Saree Perawan ceremony,
which is a rite of passage
ceremony. Most Parsi women
prefer a light chiffon or georgette
saree for this drape. Called a gara,
the pallu is taken from behind and
draped over the blouse. It hangs in
loose folds over your left 15
MADISARU FROM
TAMIL NADU
A very important part of the Iyer
and Iyengar culture of Tamil
Nadu, the Madisaru was worn by
women, traditionally after
marriage. Today however, this
saree drape is sported on special
occasions and festivities. One of
the toughest styles to drape, if
worn properly, it does not require
the use of a blouse or a petticoat.
It follows the ardhanareeshwara
style of draping, meaning half
man and half woman; the lower 16
 SANTHAL DRAPE
FROM
JHARKHAND
Traditional santhal sarees are
characterised by their chequered
pattern. One of the simplest sarees
to drape, it has evolved over the
years with an improvement in the
economic status of the tribe. Very
similar to the Bengali drape, it has
a box pleat at the front and the
pallu is pulled over the left
shoulder in a big triangle. The rest
of the pallu is tucked in the front.
This style is extremely simple and
free, just like the lifestyle and 17
 PINKOSU FROM
MADURAI

Pinkosu means “Pleats on the

back.” Women in Tamil Nadu
wear this incredibly gorgeous
style. This saree is perfect for hot
weather and can be worn without
a petticoat. For more coverage,
the Saree is wrapped one and half
a times around the body. The
pleats of the saree will fall
towards the outside of the wrap
contrary to Nivi style and thereby
showing the underside of the 18
 KUNBI DRAPE
FROM GOA
The Kunbi is the ancient
style of draping which the
tribal women of Goa follow.
Kunbi is older than the 16th
century and the origin of the
Portuguese. This style is
basic draping with knotting
it over the right shoulder.
The saree is tied above the
ankle, which gives freedom 19
 INNAPHI AND
PHANEK FROM
MANIPUR
The women of Manipur
traditionally wear innaphi and
Phanek. With two types of
Phanek; the tribal phanek and the
meitei phanek, they are worn as
ethnic Sarong. Innaphi means a
cover for the upper body, while
the phanek is horizontally striped.
The Phanek also has 
floral borders which are common
creators of the tribe and act as a
trademark. The innaphi is worn as 20

a dupatta with floral designs that

 PURNIA FROM
BIHAR
Women in the provincial
area of Bihar prefer to
drape their saree in purnia
style. It is a conventional
way of wearing a saree; it
supports them to cover
their heads as well.

21
 RAJASTHANI
STYLE
Similar to the Gujarati way of
draping the Rajasthani Style
 is still different, with one
small change. The free end of
the pallu is pinned back of
the blouse by the women
making the whole look more
energetic.

22
 Where There Are Traditional Ways Of
Draping A Saree Here Are A Few With
Little Twists Or Modern Ways Of Wearing
A Saree:

23
 BELTED SAREE
DRAPING
Belted saree appears new, but
is an ancient style where
sarees were complemented
with an accessory called 
Kamar Patta
- the gold accessory like a
belt which used be wrapped
around the waist and was
famous in the ’60s and the
’70s. In the modern version
of the trend, the saree is
paired with leather, metal or 24
ONE PALLU OPEN
DRAPE
This style started like a
nivi style of draping, but
the other end of the end,
the pallu is kept free
without pleating on the
other shoulder. Many
women in the country
wear this form of draping
for various occasions.
25
 PANT STYLE
SAREE
The upcoming or youth of
India created the revamping
saree style. In this style, the
saree is carried with 
leggings or pants instead of
petticoat with a choice of
pleats tucked into the pants
mid-waist while the other end
can be taken forward and
tucked with various drape
pallu style. This style of saree
is prevalent in the 
metro cities of India.
26
 RETRO STYLE
SAREE DRAPING
Want a perfect retro look?
Mumtaz is your solution.
Popular as Mumtaz style
saree as she emphasized it in
the Indian film Industry. This
wrap-around style saree with
a small border is draped in 3
layers up form without any
pleats to give a close look by
accentuating the figure. 
Sleeveless blouse with round
neck and a high top bun will 27
 NECK DRAPE
SAREE DRAPING
It is a funky twist given to
the saree by wrapping
pallu around the neck like
a scarf. Paired with off the
shoulder or full-sleeved 
boat neck blouse, the saree
gives the best look. The
soft textured garment will
fit the best as scarfs.
28
 JACKET OVER
SAREE DRAPING
Is your Saree too plain?
Top it with a jacket!
Sporting a jacket with
saree has been a
revolutionary hit. Pair the
saree with a traditional or 
contemporary jacket
 instead of a blouse. One
can work around with
different neck and collar 29
MERMAID STYLE
SAREE DRAPING
Irrespective of the body
shape, the Saree has made
a mark in the market. The
close-fitted hip section
and flared out bottom
gives the saree a skirt look
with pallu followed from
waist to shoulder.

30
 INVERTED
BORDER DRAPE
STYLE SAREE
A variant of Nivi Saree
draping, the pleats should be
tucked towards the left of the
waist. Twirling the border
facing down and wrapping
around the hip meanwhile
tucking it at the back waist.
Hung the pallu over the
shoulder and secured with a
pin. 31
 ORIYA STYLE
SAREE DRAPING
After following the basic
procedure of draping for
the lower body and
pinning the pleated pallu
on the left shoulder, take a
corner of the pallu to bring
it to the front under your
right arm and then pin it.

32
LEHENGA STYLE
SAREE DRAPING

The Saree is a look-alike

of a lehenga. After one
round, the small pleats are
tucked around the waist,
and the pallu is thrown
over the shoulder.

33
 RAJRANI STYLE
SAREE DRAPING

Similar to Gujarati style

draping, the corner of pallu
that is tucked behind the 
Gujarati style. It is pinned on
the free shoulder to create a
V-shaped fall over the bust.

34
 BUTTERFLY
STYLE SAREE
DRAPING
Same nivi style draping
with a change in pallu.
The pallu is pleated
extremely thin to show off
the flat midriff.

35
 INDO-WESTERN
STYLE SAREE
DRAPING
Designers keep
experimenting on sarees with
various styles and
embellishments. They add
western tinge to the ethnic
drape creating a fusion; Indo-
western saree, which is why
it doesn’t have a fixed
silhouette. For example,
gown look-alike cocktail 36
 SKIRT STYLE
SAREE DRAPING

Saree can also be worn

like a skirt by making
small pleats or wide box
pleats around the waist.
Drape the pallu over the
shoulder with very sleek
pleats.

37
SHORT PATLI STYLE
SAREE DRAPING
Similar to the nivi and
butterfly saree, the pallu is
finely pleated and
embellished with luxe
detailing giving a sleek and
edgy look.

38
 HALF FLOAT AND
HALF TUCKED
STYLE SAREE
DRAPING
The basic draping style
with pallu pinned with one
pleat and remaining is
allowed to fall through the
shoulder, giving it a casual
look.

39
 TEE OR TUNIC
STYLE SAREE
DRAPING
The Navi style of draping used
with the pleats tucked in the
waistline, paired with a t-shirt or a
tunic instead of a blouse. The
pallu is draped loosely over the
shoulder.
Sarees have been a part of Indian
culture since the beginning and
still continues to be so. Even
though the way women wrap the
saree might be different, but attire 40
Sarees Have Been A Part Of Indian Culture Since The Beginning And Still Continues To Be So.
Even Though The Way Women Wrap The Saree Might Be Different, But Attire Is Always Elegant In
All Cultures And Parts.

41
THANK YOU !

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