Top 5 drapes you need to try if you are a saree lover

Ever wondered how a single piece of clothing can be worn in a variety of ways? Sarees made this cool even before the Instagram trends! Sarees are versatile garments that can be draped in different methods. India is a country with diverse cultures and traditions, and this is reflected in the different styles of saree draping that are practised across the country.

In this blog, we will focus on the top 5 types of drapes, and how you can get your perfect look in these drapes:

1. Nauvari: This is a traditional saree worn in the state of Maharashtra, India. It is also known as ‘Lugade’ or ‘Kasta’ in Marathi. The key difference of Nauvari sarees is that these are nine-yard sarees, not regular six-yard sarees. Here is how you can drape the Nauvari saree:

• You will need a petticoat for sure. Tuck the nauvari saree into the petticoat at one end.

• Drape the saree behind your back, over the left shoulder and then back to the front.

• Pleat the saree and tuck the pleats at the front in the waistband.

• The remaining saree now needs to be draped from back to front in between legs, and then into the waistband at the back.

• Bring the saree over the left shoulder from back, take it across the chest, and then drape it back to the front.

• The remaining saree needs to be tucked into the waistband at the back

• Bring the loose end of the saree back to the front from the left shoulder and tuck this into the front waistband

• You will now have to adjust the length of the saree and the pleats as required.

• The look is incomplete without traditional Maharashtrian jewellery and accessories.

The Nauvari saree drape gives women more freedom of movement and is often worn for cultural and festive occasions. You would have also seen the Nauvari saree in movies like Bajirao Mastani, where Priyanka Chopra was looking pretty in the traditional drape!

While Mogasu does not have any Nauvari sarees, you can check out our hand block printed sarees in mul cotton, soft chanderi silk and light weight linen. We have also launched our lightest saree till yet in Kota Doria! With unique designs inspired from Goa - like Khidki, Kokum, Pitkuli, amongst others, Mogasu’s sarees are liked by all. Shop your unique block printed saree today!

2. Sidha Palla Drape: The Sidha Palla saree is a popular drape style in India, especially in the Northern and Eastern regions of the country - Rajasthan and Gujrat. This technique focuses on draping the palla/pallu in the front, as compared to the normal drape where the pallu is at the backside. Here are the steps to drape a Sidha Palla saree:

• The start is not different from the usual drapes. Just tuck one end of the saree into the petticoat.

• Make pleats of the remaining saree. They could be 5-7 depending on the length. Tuck the pleats into the waistband, although make sure that you tuck this slightly towards the right side and not in the front.

• Drape the remaining saree around your waist and then take it to the back

• Now, get the saree to the front, from the back, over your right shoulder.

• Make pleats of the remaining saree and tuck them in the waistband at the back, this time slightly towards the left side.

• Get the loose end of the saree to the front. This was to be draped over the right shoulder. Also, do make sure that the pallu has been open and spread out wide.

• Now, pin the pallu in place to the blouse as per your comfort.

• You will now have to adjust the length of the saree and the pleats as required.

• The look is incomplete without traditional jewellery and accessories.

The Sidha Palla saree drape style is often favoured when the saree pallu is grand and heavy. As the pallu is spread out in the front it gives out the proper detail and design of the pallu. This is a perfect drape for those who want to show-off embroidery work and intricate, detailed pallus.

Mogasu’s cute and quirky designs will make for a wonderful drape in the Siddha Palla. Our soft chanderi silk sarees have a golden zari pallu that will look unique and good for any occasions. You can also try this drape to stand out of the crowd with our Mul sarees. You can shop Mogasu’s collection of hand block printed sarees by clicking on the SHOP button on the top. Get your premium Chanderi silk saree or soft cotton mul saree today.

3. Atpoure saree drape or Bengali saree drape: The "Atpoure" or "Atpourer" saree is a traditional Bengali saree that is draped differently from other saree styles. The unique Bengali drape is known for its simple and outstanding look. Below are the steps to drape an Atpoure saree:

• The start is not different from the usual drapes. Just tuck one end of the saree into the petticoat.

• Drape the remaining saree around you and finally bring it to the front.

• Make pleats of the remaining saree. They could be 5-7 depending on the length. Tuck the pleats into the waistband, although make sure that you tuck this slightly towards the left side and not in the front

• Drape the remaining saree around your waist only once and then take it to the front

• Make pleats of the remaining saree and tuck them in the waistband at the front, this time slightly towards the right side.

• Drape the remaining saree over your left shoulder, across your chest, and then over the right side shoulder.

• The remaining saree needs to be tucked into the waistband at the back, slightly towards the left.

• The pallu can be now draped over the left shoulder and allowed to be behind your back, hanging loosely.

• Now, bring the loose of the pallu back to the front, this time over the left shoulder.

• Now, pin the pallu in place to the blouse as per your comfort on the left shoulder.

• You will have to adjust the length of the saree and the pleats as required.

The Atpoure saree drape style is elegant and graceful and is often worn for cultural and festive occasions in West Bengal. The distinct feature of this drape style is the two-layered pleats at the front and the unique draping of the pallu, which is draped over both shoulders.

Mogasu’s unique block printed sarees, inspired from Goa, can be a good quirky Bengali drape. Check our collection of soft mul cotton sarees, premium silk with zari sarees, soft linen sarees and light weight kota doria sarees!

4. Madisar saree drape: The Tamil saree drape, also known as the Madisar saree drape, is a traditional way of draping a saree that is popular in the Tamil Nadu region of India. Here are the steps to drape a Tamil saree:

• The start is not different from the usual drapes. Just tuck one end of the saree into the petticoat at the center.

• Drape the saree around you and then bring it to the right side.

• Now take the saree around the waist once, then bring it back to the right side.

• Take the remaining saree over your head, and then drape it over the left shoulder, and let it fall at the back side.

• Take the saree hanging behind you and tuck it in at the back

• The remaining saree length is brought around to the front and tucked into the petticoat at the left waist.

• The saree draping over your left shoulder should be pleated. At your left shoulder, secure these pleats together to prevent them from unravelling.

• The saree fabric that hangs from your left shoulder should be taken and wrapped once around your waist before being tucked into the petticoat at your left waist.

• Bring the remaining saree length up over your right shoulder and let it hang behind you.

• Grab the saree end that is behind you and tuck it into the petticoat behind your waist.

• To make a tidy and cosy drape, adjust the fabric and pleats as necessary.

The Tamil drape does look complicated and time consuming. Do you know what is NOT complicated and time consuming? Choosing a Mogasu saree! Browse our collection of Mul cotton sarees, chanderi silk sarees, linen sarees and kota doria sarees. Our cute, quirky and unique designs have been much appreciated by our customers and so has been the quality of the fabrics. We have unique block printed patterns, inspired by Goa and Goan culture. Our Popai, Azulejo, Beira Mar have been the best selling sarees because of the unique patterns and high quality fabrics.

Buy your favourite saree today from our website.

5. Mekhla Chadar: The Assamese Mekhla Chadar style is the traditional method to wear a saree in Assam. It consists of a two-piece outfit made up of a Mekhla (a cylindrical-shaped skirt) and a Chadar (a rectangular piece of cloth). Below is the process of draping a saree in the Assamese Mekhla Chadar fashion:

• Put on a blouse and petticoat to start.

• Make sure the pleats are in the front as you wrap the Mekhla around your waist. In your midsection, tuck the Mekhla into the petticoat.

• With one end in front and the other behind your shoulder, drape the Chadar over your shoulder.

• Bring the front end of the Chadar over your head, across your chest, and over the shoulder on the other side.

• Bring the end of the chadar behind your shoulder around your back, under your arm, and over the shoulder on the other side.

• Adjust the Chadar so that it hangs evenly on both sides.

• So that it doesn't come off, secure the Chadar at your shoulder.

• The Mekhla should be adjusted for comfort and aesthetic appeal.

Mogasu does not have any Mekhla sarees at the moment. However, do check out a beautiful saree collection that spans mul cotton, chanderi silk, linen and kota doria. Our fabrics are the softest and most durable ever. The designs are of course cute and eye-catching. Stand out of the crowd with your Mogasu saree!