We have heard since our growing up years that India is a land of diversity. This is true even for the traditional attires and we know that each state has a women’s attire of its own. Our culture though has always taken geographical and demographical conditions and realities into its account instead of only focusing on the façade. When we say the above statement, the truth is that our traditional attires are enriched by our cultural histories, but also include the functionality in it, given the areas we inhabit have different terrains. This is true even the different ways we drape our sarees and while we do that, we would love to help you understand how to wear Banarasi saree in different style or traditional draping styles true to your area.
Draping a Heavy Banarasi saree
A question that women of today, especially the more outgoing and competitive workplace champions ask is How to wear a heavy Banarasi saree?’, and we have only understood that your questions are often unnoticed.
Yes, you can wear multiple pins and get the saree to stick, but you can use a couple of traditional draping styles to wear Banarasi saree in different ways. For example,
Gujarati Seedha Pallu
This is a very popular draping style but has been brought back to style after I believe Maya Sarabhai draped it thus in the Sarabhai series season 02. Whoever brought it back, but for a contemporary woman, this drape works wonders. If your Banarasi saree is heavy, especially with an ornate pallu and wide borders, stop wondering ‘how to wear’ and instead, utilize the heavy pallu and wear it in the front. You will flaunt the design while making a statement.
Garba season is around, you can even try that!
Different Draping Styles from Southern India
Coorg Style:
Rashmika Mandanna once wore this drape and with her Pushpa fame, the drape began getting noticed. Now, the Coorgi drape is very functional as the pleats are tucked at the back and the pallu is positioned across the bodice. The fashionista in you can wear a wonderful flowy and buttery satin silk banarasi saree and wear it so differently that you become the talk of the town. Traditional drapes in flowy silken fabrics from the heritage Banarasi handloom is very flexible too.
Atpoure: The Bengali drape for the regal Banarasi handloom
That soft pallu that has the bunch of keys tied to the end and very artistically but casually put on the LEFT shoulder is a famous draping style. This traditional draping style made popular by television serials and movies like Parineeta, The drape is very suitable for styling those Banarasi sarees differently that have buta work or are in shikargarh weaving style. The sarees with a border in contrasting colors also work wonders as the cinematographic pallu movement becomes attractive when the border is ornate. A bridal wear or an event wear, this drape works well for both and flawlessly too, especially if you want to recreate that epic Parineeta scene where Vidya is in a brocade banarasi saree.
Parsi Saree drape: A play with the borders
When you want a very regal and sophisticated drape with a lot of oomph factor, but look modest and carry fewer jewelry, the Parsi drape is your safe haven.
What do you have to do? Choose an ornate buta or meenakari body for patterns and a thick border in metallic hues. The saree covers your torso and the pleats are lesser assuring an ease of movement. If you are a wedding guest who loves to dance without the stress of the pallu falling off, this drape is your grace guaranteed. Carry elegant jewelry and you will look like those elegant learned Parsi women who are carrying the grace of intellect around.
Mekhla Chador: A drape with a saree and a dupatta
A very sober drape, this calls for the innovation and sobriety apt for a modern saree wearer. Originally a two-piece drape, we can advise you on how to drape this style differently.
You can opt for two pieces, one a soft pastel chanderi saree in geometrical patterns because the light fabric can be pleated and tucked in its entirety without adding volumes to the lower half. For the upper drape, you can opt for a plain organza silk handloom saree in a contrasting pastel shade and drape it with half pleats tucked and the rest worn in the dupatta style. It is a beautiful feel especially if you a set of pearls or antique gold jewelry to team with it. You can even wear a corset blouse and strands of pearls to seal the deal.
Final Thoughts
The Nivi style saree is the popular drape, but little do we know of the various traditional draping styles and we keep wondering how to drape a banarasi saree differently, whereas one look at our rich tradition and there is one draping style in almost every saree wearing state. Beginning from the Coorgi to the Atpouri these drapes look elegant and your ornate banarasi sarees will hug you with affection.
Sacred Weaves
Sacred Weaves is the online banarasi handloom shopping experience curated by JDS Banaras, but the true experience of the customer being treated like family can be experienced at the Rathyatra Chowk store in Varanasi. In the middle of the bustling ancient Kashi, JDS Banaras has been serving banarasi handloom lovers with smile, adding glamour and heritage to their wardrobes with authentic handloom.