Choosing to wear the humble sari is never a decision you will never come to regret. Take it from celebrity stylist Ami Patel herself — who’s draped the six yards on A-listers like Priyanka Chopra, Alia Bhatt and Kangana Ranaut — who proudly calls the sari “the most elegant form of clothing in our culture.” And if you’re a tad bit unsure how to drape it, read our amateur’s guide on how to wear a sari, with insightful tips from designer Payal Khandwala.
“There are numerous ways to style your sari, with the trends changing from season to season, and some incredible designers coming up with innovative ways to drape them,” says Ami. “The blistering summer heat makes for a great reason to wear a sari that’s breathable and comfortable in equal measure.”
Here, Ami gives us 6 tips on styling a sari for summer:
1. Pick this season’s trendiest drape
“Try styling the sari in a front pallu drape, with the pallu pleated together.”
2. Give your sari a cooler, younger vibe
“In order to make your sari more fun, add some statement accessories to the look — a necklace or a couple of assorted bangles. Another option would be add a leather belt to the waist to give it definition,” suggests Ami.
3. Experiment with your blouse style
“Pair your sari with a cape blouse for a contemporary look. Wear it with a cool button-down shirt to give it a more casual look. For an evening wear ensemble, add a long jacket. And for a more elegant look, go for a high neck cropped blouse,” she says.
4. Have fun with layering
“Style your sari with a collared neck jacket that ends at the waist. The best way to drape a sari with this kind of a jacket would be the front pallu drape,” says Ami. “Yet another style of a jacket would be a long one that falls at the knee. The best drape for this kind would be the Nivi drape that goes over your shoulder,” she adds.
5. Accessorise according to the occasion
“For a day occasion like a brunch, keep it minimal and add a lovely colourful bindi to the look accompanied by small earrings. For an evening occasion like a dinner party, the best options would be to add statement jewellery with an evening clutch,” she says.
6. Choose footwear that complements your style
Ami advises you to pick from juttis, flats, kitten heels, high heels, broad heels, strappy heels, wedges… the list is long.
Lastly, Ami suggests keeping it simple and less complicated while styling yourself. “You can never go wrong with being minimal. Confidence goes a long way.”
