Makar Sankranti, the harvest festival of India is round the corner. This festival carries great significance and sheds light on the traditional rituals and culture of India. Like every other festival, dressing up in the right way is essential to truly embrace the festive spirit. Makar Sankranti is no exception—it’s a time to celebrate traditions while showcasing your unique style.
The saree is undoubtedly the most versatile and timeless festival outfit that carries both elegance and emotion. From ethnic and traditional to modern and contemporary, there are a number of ways to drape a saree and shine brightly on Makar Sankranti. Choosing the perfect saree draping style not only enhances your festive look but also adds a modern twist to this classic and evergreen attire.
If you are looking for different draping styles for Makar Sankranti, look no further! In this blog, we will share trendy saree draping styles for Makar Sankranti 2025, adding a touch of glamour to your Sankranti celebrations. These unique and versatile styles let you stand out while staying rooted in the essence of this vibrant festival.
Nivi Style Saree Draping
If you want a simple and elegant Makar Sankranti look, the Nivi saree draping style is the best option. It has been the most common and famous saree draping style across the whole country for ages. Nivi style drape features pleats and pallu (loose end) draped over the left shoulder, creating an elegant traditional Makar Sankranti look.
How to Drape a Nivi Style Saree?
- Put on a fitted petticoat and tuck the saree’s unstitched end into the petticoat at the waist, starting from the right side. Continue tucking it all around your waist.
- Drape the saree around yourself from left to right, take the pallu, and fling it over your left shoulder, letting it fall gracefully. You can choose to pleat the pallu or leave it flowing, depending on your style.
- Take the remaining fabric of the saree and make 6-7 pleats of equal width. Tuck the pleats neatly into the petticoat, slightly to the left of your navel.
- Pin the pallu to your shoulder to secure it in place, ensuring it stays perfectly draped.
The Belted Drape Style
One of the most popular and trendy saree draping styles at present is the belted drape. If you are looking for a traditional yet chic, graceful and modern touch, a belted drape style is the best option. It features a statement belt on the waist as an additional accessory to layer and elevate the saree look. The Belted saree style is mostly paired with a contrasting blouse for an edgy look.
How to do Belted Drape?
- Wear a petticoat that matches the saree’s color and tie it at the waist. Tuck the plain end into the petticoat, starting from the right side, and continue around your waist.
- Take the remaining saree fabric and make pleats around 4-5 inches wide. Tuck the pleats into the petticoat, little to the left of your navel.
- Then take the pallu and drape it around your back, bringing it over the left shoulder in the traditional style.
- Pick a statement belt and place it around your waist, over the pleats, securing the saree in place. For a modern and chic look, go for a wide, metallic, leather, or embellished belt.
The Dhoti Style Drape
If you want to prioritize comfort over style, the fun and chic dhoti draping style is the perfect draping style for you. Inspired by traditional dhoti pants, this draping style is a perfect blend of comfort and class. It offers a comfortable, yet fashionable festival look this Makar Sankranti. This drape style features a saree tied in a dhoti-like fashion with plates in front, creating a fusion stylish outfit.
How to Drape Dhoti Style Saree?
- Tuck the saree into the petticoat, leaving 1.5 meters free. Take one-third of the saree and bring it to your left side while the remaining fabric goes to the right. Wrap the longer side from left to front and pin the edges.
- Pin the saree with the right edge overlapping the left. Pleat and pin the pallu on the left shoulder. Pill and pin the inner edge at the back waist, gather pleats, and wrap the front pleats around the hips to the front center.
- Spread pleats at the hip and pin them at the center leg. Take out pleats from between the legs, front to the back and tuck them at the back, creating pleats.
- Pull the loop cowl forward, make neat pleats, and tuck them at the waist. Adjust the cowl and pleats as needed.
The Lehenga Drape Style
Ever wonder if you could pull off a lehenga look with a saree? Lehenga-style draping is one of the most popular saree draping styles at present, offering an elegant and graceful look. This style involves spreading the pleats around the waist, creating a flared look similar to that of a lehenga. For Makar Sankranti, this gives a seamless ethnic yet modern and edgy look.
How to do the Lehenga Drape?
- Start by putting on a flared skirt. Tuck the plain end of the saree into the skirt and secure it around your waist.
- Drape the saree around your waist, leaving extra fabric on the left side for the lehenga effect.
- Pleat the remaining saree fabric (about 4-5 pleats at a distance) and tuck them neatly into the skirt at the front.
- Wrap the pallu around your waist, then pull it over your left shoulder. Let it flow down to the back or front, as you wish.
The Pant Style Drape
Want to try something modern and minimalistic? The pant draping style is a sleek and trendy drape that combines modern and traditional aesthetics in an elegant and graceful way. This kind of saree is mainly paired with cigarette pants or leggings instead of the traditional petticoat. The perfectly blended style offers a comfortable yet minimalistic look that looks unique and makes a statement.
How to Drape a Pant-Style Saree?
- Wear high-waisted, fitted pants or leggings that complement the saree color and fit comfortably.
- Wrap the saree around your waist and tuck the plain end from the right side into the waistband of your pants.
- Create 4-6 even pleats with the remaining saree fabric at the front and tuck them into the waistband of the pants, ensuring they are even and neat.
- Take the pallu, drape it across your front, and place it over your left shoulder, letting it hang nicely.
The Butterfly Drape Style
Bollywood’s favorite, the butterfly drape style, is one of the most elegant, urban, and sleek saree draping styles for Makar Sankranti. This style offers a glamorous vibe while carrying the essence of a traditional classic saree. The butterfly draping style features pinning the pallu with thin plates that resemble the beautiful butterfly wings at the back.
How to Drape Butterfly Style Saree?
- Begin by placing the plain end of the saree into your petticoat and wrap it around your waist in a full circle.
- Pleat the pallu neatly and drape it over your left shoulder, adjusting its length to your preference and pin it properly.
- Bring the rest of the saree fabric to the front and create 5-6 pleats on both the left and right sides. Tuck them neatly into the center of your waistline.
- Spread out the pleats from the center to resemble butterfly wings. Adjust them evenly for a stylish, symmetrical look.
The Gujarati Style Drape
If you want to reflect the traditional style of Gujrat rather than a modern look, Gujarati-style draping is the best option. It is one of the most popular and classic choices, especially for Makar Sankranti. The Gujarati-style drape features the pallu draped at the front and plates at the back, creating a timeless, cultural, and regal look.
How to Drape Gujarati Saree?
- Start by tucking the plain end of the saree to the center of your petticoat, then wrap it around your waist, making a full circle.
- Next, fold the pleats and tuck them neatly into the center front of your petticoat at the back.
- Take the saree’s loose end (pallu), pleat it neatly, and bring it over your right shoulder from back to front, letting it fall to the front.
- Pin the pallu at your right shoulder for a secure fit. Spread it across your chest and either pin it or let it hang freely to ensure quintessentially Gujju design is visible.
Maharashtrian Nauvari Saree Draping Style
Another traditional and regional draping style is the Maharashtrian Nauvari Saree Draping Style. It is a unique style that involves a 9-yard saree instead of 6 yards. This style features tucking the saree in the waistband, giving it a typical lungi look with a pallu over the shoulder. Its draping style is a bit difficult, but with the right steps, you can wear a traditional Nauvari saree, exuding unparalleled grace and opulence.
How to Drape Maharashtrian Nauvari Saree?
- Begin by draping the saree around your waist with a secure knot at the front center, dividing the fabric into two sections.
- Tuck one end of the saree into the petticoat at the back. Then, bring the saree around your waist and tuck it in at the front, leaving some extra length to create pleats.
- Take the remaining fabric and make pleats of about 5 to 6 inches. Tuck the pleats securely at the front, and the remaining part at the back.
- Finally, bring the fabric around your back and drape it over the left shoulder. Pin the pallu at the left shoulder and secure it in place.
Mumtaz Style Drape
Popularized by one of the finest actresses in Bollywood, Mumtaz, this unique draping style creates a beautiful, layered effect. It is the perfect option if you want to recreate a fashion from the 60s and 70s. Mumtaz style features draping of the saree in a retro, vintage, and classic style, involving multiple layers and pleats. The glamorous and funky look adds a unique touch to the Makar Sankranti attire.
How to Drape Mumtaz Style Saree?
- Start by tucking the inner edge of your saree into the petticoat near the right side of the navel and the rest of the saree on the left side.
- Take the saree and drape it again around your waist, slightly below the first layer, creating a double-layered effect.
- Toss the pallu over your left shoulder, create 5-6-inch small pleats with the remaining saree fabric, and tuck them in at the front in one smooth motion. Use a pin or waistband to hold them securely.
- Lastly, take the pallu from left to right across your body and drape it over your left shoulder, forming the classic wrapped look.
Gown Style Drape
If you want a glamorous look, go for a gown-style drape, which offers a fusion of traditional saree draping and the elegance of a gown. This draping style features a saree draped like a gown, creating a graceful, modern yet festive look for Makar Sankranti. A gown-style drape works best for a lightweight saree with a soft fabric such as chiffon, georgette, or satin.
How to Drape a Gown-Style Saree?
- Start by wearing a well-fitted V-shaped blouse, or crop top, and leggings, or traditional petticoat.
- Secure one end of the saree in the center of your petticoat. Wrap it around your waist, allowing it to drape naturally like a skirt.
- Create wide pleats along the length and tuck them at the center, allowing the fabric to fan out like a gown.
- Take the pallu, let it cascade down, and drape it over your left shoulder. Finish the look with a belt.
Makar Sankranti Saree Colors
Makar Sankranti is a vibrant and playful festival where bright colors like yellow, orange, red, and green take the center stage. However, no color exudes the same elegance and charm as black. With its timeless sophistication and regal appeal, black is becoming increasingly popular for Makar Sankranti.
Why Women Wear Black on Makar Sankranti?
You must have heard that black is an inauspicious color for festivals, but for Makar Sankranti, it’s the total opposite. Wondering why? The main reason is that Makar Sankranti is the last day of the winter solstice, making it the coldest day of the entire season. Black is known to absorb heat and keep the body warm, making it a trendy and popular choice for women to stay warm and avoid cold.
Black Saree Trends for Makar Sankranti
Classic Black Saree with Gold or Silver Borders: A black saree with gold or silver borders is perfect to bring a royal and aesthetic touch, ideal for Makar Sankranti celebrations.
Black with Colorful Embroidery: Pair a black saree with colorful thread works or embroidery to infuse a festive vibe while maintaining the warmth of black.
Saree with Modern Draping Styles: Experiment with the contemporary draping styles we have mentioned above. These give the saree a modern twist while carrying the essence of the traditional.
Black Saree with Bold Prints: Opt for bold patterns or prints, such as floral or geometric designs to add a lively element to the sophisticated black color.
Black with Bright Accessories: To add a touch of festivity, pair your black saree with colorful accessories like bright bangles, a statement necklace, traditional earrings, or a vibrant dupatta.
Black Saree with Sequins or Stone Work: The sequins or stone embellishments make the saree perfect for evening celebrations, giving it a festive yet elegant vibe.
Black Saree with Contrasting Blouse: For a striking look, pair your black saree with a contrasting blouse in vibrant colors like red, gold, or teal.
Conclusion
In conclusion, we can state that saree is versatile attire that can be worn in different styles as per your personal choice. From the regional Gujarati and Maharashtrian draping styles to the modern lehenga, gown, dhoti and pant style, the options are endless. Not only that, but if you want a retro vibe, you can go for Mumtaz-style drapes that exude unparalleled elegance and royalty. So, consider the above options, choose the trendy saree draping style you like and shine brightly this Makar Sankranti!
