12 Draping Styles for Banarasi Silk Sarees to Look Slim

Banarasi silk sarees in their luxurious weaves and ornate zari work are the height of Indian wedding, festival, and special occasion attire. Lovely as the silk sarees are, they can look heavy owing to their richness. The proper draping can make you look slender, highlighting your figure while the elegance of the silk saree is brought out. 

Traditional Nivi Drape: The Nivi is one of the traditional styles of Andhra Pradesh that remains evergreen for silk sarees. Tuck the silk saree at the waist, make 5–6 shallow pleats, and drape the pallu on the left shoulder. Make pleats tight and pallu thin to lengthen the torso, giving you a slimmer look.

Gujarati Seedha Pallu: In Seedha Pallu, pallu of the silk saree is thrown over the right shoulder, brought to the front, and pleated. The vertical pleats in the front provide a slimming impression, directing attention downwards and balancing the heavy zari of a Banarasi silk saree.

Bengali Atpoure Drape: The Bengali has a box-pleat method applied for the silk saree. Tuck the saree in the waist, form two big pleats at the front, and drap the pallu across both shoulders. Structured pleats provide a sleek midsection, perfect for a slender look with a Banarasi silk saree.

Coorgi Drape: Sought after in Karnataka, the Coorgi look includes pleating the silk saree at the back, with the pallu draped across the right shoulder and pinned at the front. The effect is one of a nipped-in waist, emphasizing a slender silhouette while showing off the border of the silk saree.

Maharashtrian Nauvari: The Nauvari drape, nine-yard silk saree drape, is akin to a dhoti towards the bottom with a long pallu. The folded pleats in the center make the legs appear longer, and the tight upper drape cinches the waist, making it a daring but slimming option for Banarasi silk sarees.

Lehenga-Style Drape: For a contemporary look, drape the silk saree in the lehenga style by folding it around the waist without pleats, tucking it in tightly, and draping the pallu across one shoulder. This close-fitting style replicates a skirt, producing a narrow, lengthened appearance ideal for Banarasi silk sarees.

Butterfly Drape: The butterfly look centers around a thin, transparent pallu. Pleat the silk saree tightly around the waist and drap the pallu thinly over the shoulder, pinning it up high to reveal the midriff. This draws the eye upwards, creating a slimmer effect on the figure in a Banarasi silk saree.

Mermaid Drape: This modern drape clings to the body. Tightly tuck the silk saree, make small pleats, and drape the pallu with narrow draping to resemble a mermaid’s tail. The fitted drape accentuates curves and narrows the silhouette, perfect for light Banarasi silk sarees.

Pant-Style Drape: A blend style, the pant-style drape entails folding the silk saree around the legs as pants, with the pallu draped across one shoulder. The fitted lower half presents a slender, extended look, modernizing Banarasi silk saree’s age-old elegance.

Dhoti Drape: Driven by the dhoti, the attire includes draping the silk saree over the legs with middle pleats, letting the pallu drape over the shoulder. Fitted lower drape provides a slim look to the legs, while the loose pallu offsets the richness of a Banarasi silk saree.

Retro Mumtaz Drape: Popularized by actress Mumtaz, the draping style wraps the silk saree closely around the body with no pleats, creating multiple layers at the waist and a draping pallu. The close-fitting shape nips in at the waist, creating the illusion of being thinner in a Banarasi silk saree.

Rajrani Drape: A royal flair, the Rajrani drape has broad pleats at the front and a long, thin pallu draped on one shoulder. The vertical pleats and streamlined pallu create an elongated appearance, providing a slimming look to Banarasi silk sarees.

To take these draping styles to the next level, choose a light Banarasi silk saree with subtle zari work and darker hues like maroon or navy. Team it with a slim blouse and minimal ornamentation to keep the slim shape. Repeat each technique so that the silk saree falls perfectly, with no bulkiness. All these draping styles not only enhance the majesty of the Banarasi silk saree but also produce a slimming, comfortable figure for any event.