A Banarasi dupatta has a way of instantly elevating any designer lehenga, adding richness, elegance, and a timeless charm to your festive or bridal look. Whether you’re wearing a minimal outfit or a heavily embroidered lehenga, the right draping style can completely transform your appearance while highlighting the beauty of the dupatta.
If you’ve been wondering how to wear a Banarasi dupatta on a lehenga, you’re in the right place. You can style a Banarasi dupatta beautifully in plenty of ways, from classic bridal drapes to modern, fuss-free styles perfect for weddings, festivals, and family celebrations. In this guide, we will examine seven beautiful draping styles that are simple to replicate and will help you maximise the use of your Banarasi dupatta, regardless of the occasion.
Things to Consider Before Draping a Banarasi Dupatta
The major issue when pairing a Banarasi dupatta with your premium engagement lehenga is managing its weight and securing it properly. Here are some simple tips to achieve a seamless look that will last for hours.
- To ease out the stiffness, lightly iron or steam treat the dupatta.
- Banarasi dupattas are heavy and need to be secured with heavy-duty safety pins. Use multiple pins to ensure that the dupatta does not move during dancing or otherwise.
- Avoid forcing slim pleats with a Banarasi dupatta. Allow it to fall naturally and create thicker pleats following the flow of the fabric.
- Choose a drape depending on the thickness of the dupatta. Pleat heavier dupattas and secure them for a hassle-free look. For lightweight dupattas, go for open pallu drapes.
7 Banarasi Dupatta Draping Styles for Lehenga
Classic One-Shoulder Drape
If you want to create a classic and simple-to-achieve banarasi lehenga dupatta style drape, then this one is perfect for you. Place the dupatta over one shoulder and let equal parts of it hang in the front and back. Secure the dupatta with a pin, and you are done. You can create this drape by either pleating the dupatta or keeping it loose. This particular drape is best suited for bordered dupattas with lightweight embroidery.
Double Dupatta Bridal Style:
This banarasi dupatta draping style for lehengas is best suited for wedding lehengas, as one of the two dupattas goes over the head, creating an elegant bridal look. To achieve this look, you need one heavy dupatta that drapes around the body like a nivi saree pallu or is neatly pleated and secured on one shoulder. The lightweight one is placed over the head and pinned in place to finish off the look.
Draped Over Elbows:
This banarasi lehenga dupatta style works well with lightweight dupattas, as you do not want to carry a heavy dupatta during the entire duration of the event. This look is super simple to achieve, as you don’t need the help of anyone else or add pins to secure anything. Just take your dupatta, cinch it together lengthwise and place it across your inner elbows or forearms. Make sure the dupatta falls evenly on both sides for a beautifully cohesive look.
Saree-Style Pallu Drape:
The saree-style pallu drape, or the Nivi drape, is perfect for those who want to achieve the look of wearing a saree but with the comfort of a lehenga. Tuck one corner of the dupatta to the front right side of the waist and take the other end of the dupatta, wrapping it around the body, and place it on the left shoulder. Secure with a pin to ensure it stays put. You can keep the dupatta flowing freely or pleat it for a more put-together look.
Cape-Style Drape:
A cape-style banarasi dupatta draping style for lehengas is a modern way of wearing the dupatta. To create the cape dupatta look, find the centre of the length of the dupatta and place it over the shoulders. Secure the dupatta with a couple of pins to ensure the dupatta does not move around too much when moving or dancing. This style works best when paired with haldi lehengas or designer mehendi lehengas, where you want your hands to be free at all times.
Belted Drape:
A belted dupatta drape uses a decorative belt to hold the dupatta in place while adding a cinched-in waist look. The best part about this banarasi lehenga dupatta style is that it can be coupled with any other dupatta-draping style, like the shoulder or saree drape, to create a more polished look. To secure the dupatta, you can choose a matching fabric belt, a traditional metallic belt or even a modern leather belt.
Diagonal Drape:
A diagonal dupatta drape creates a clean and classic look that keeps your hands free, allowing unrestricted movement. It somewhat creates a saree-like look that works beautifully with sangeet lehengas. Pin one side of the dupatta on the right side of your waist so that the rest of the dupatta is in front of you. Now grab the other end and place it over the left shoulder like you would do with a saree pallu and secure it with a pin.
How to Choose the Right Banarasi Dupatta for Your Lehenga
Choosing the right Banarasi dupatta style on lehenga is key to creating a lehenga look that appears polished, sophisticated, and balanced. Focus on keeping the look cohesive while making it attention-grabbing. Here are some of the key factors to ensure you pick the right Banarasi dupatta.
Suitable Fabric and Weight:
For a heavy luxury reception lehenga, opt for a lightweight, fine-weave Banarasi silk dupatta to keep the look balanced. Simpler lehenga designs are best paired with a heavy, intricate zari work dupatta to add drama and opulence.
Colour Coordination:
Choose a colour for your dupatta based on the type of look you want to achieve. For a monochrome look, pick a dupatta in the exact same colour family or choose a contrasting hue dupatta for a striking combination.
Zari and Border Selection:
Wide borders and big motifs are best suited for taller and broader frames, while intricate designs like Buttis are ideal for open drapes and petite frames.
FAQs
How to wear a stylish dupatta on a lehenga?
Try unique dupatta draping styles like the cape dupatta draping, belted dupatta draping, double dupatta draping, or diagonal draping for a stylish look.
What to wear with a Banarasi lehenga?
You can choose to wear a lightweight chiffon dupatta or opt for a similar Banarasi dupatta for a more regal look.
How to drape a Banarasi saree for a modern look?
To achieve a modern look with your Banarasi saree, try the belted drape or the pant-style drape or pair it with a corset blouse.
How to select a dupatta for a lehenga?
To select the perfect dupatta for your lehenga, consider the colours, fabric and embroidery style. Choose a dupatta that will match the lehenga and the overall aesthetic (traditional or modern), and create a harmonious look.