17 Ways to Wear Your Dupatta with Lehengas for Perfect Ethnic Indian Fashion

A dupatta is a gorgeous accessory that adds elegance and grace to any traditional Indian ethnic outfit. From everyday kurtis to grand bridal lehengas, a dupatta is a must-wear accessory. It holds the power to elevate your ensemble from beautiful to breathtaking. With so many types of lehenga dupattas and draping styles, it can be challenging to pick the right one. At the crossroads of tradition and modernity, we dive into 17 enchanting and different ways to drape lehenga dupattas!

1. Classic Salwar Suit Style Dupatta Draping

Beginning with the simplest, yet classic style, the salwar suit style dupatta draping. You fix the dupatta on both the shoulders and let it hang in the middle making a V shape with folds and layers. This style looks excellent if you have a dupatta with a border design. The lightweight fabric gracefully drapes around your upper body. Style Tip: For round-neck blouses, this dupatta draping style is a match made in heaven.

2. Lehenga Dupatta Draping Style with Waistband

This one is a very trending draping style in today’s time. Straight from the style book of one of the greatest Indian designers, Sabyasachi, a waist band it actually fixing the dupatta on one shoulder and holding it on the waist through a band that goes around the waist. The waistband is an accessory that can add to the colors of your lehenga, can be heavily embellished, embroidered or can be extremely simple.

3. Over-the-Head Lehenga Dupatta Draping Style

This dupatta draping style is specifically for the bride-to-be. If you want a basic, elegant dupatta style then you can choose to simply attach the centre edge of the dupatta to your head and let the remaining dupatta remain free. Dupattas with borders make for the best over-the-head free-flow style of draping. The dupatta cascades down your back like a veil, with the borders framing your silhouette. Style Tip: Your Hairdo matters. Tie your hair up in a low messy bun or a sleek braid!

4. Half Saree Pallu Style Dupatta Drape

Attaching the dupatta on the centre of the waist with the lehenga skirt, and then draping it around, to one shoulder like that in a saree, is a terrific way to drape a dupatta. If you have worn the lehenga already, once or twice, then this style could completely change the look as it would cover most of the blouse and if loosely draped, a whole side of the lehenga skirt.

5. One Sided, Open Dupatta Drape Style

This style is perfect if you have a lightweight dupatta. It is simple, classic and shows off your beautiful dress. It is as easy as draping the dupatta over one shoulder and letting it fall down the front. This dupatta draping style is the best for formal or traditional occasions. The dupatta elegantly drapes over one shoulder in soft folds.

6. Plated one-Side Dupatta Draping Style

If you have put in a lot of effort in designing the blouse of your lehenga, you want to most to be visible. Also, if you have a boat neck or collared blouse, which doesnt need a dupatta but you still want to go for one, then a plated dupatta style is the one you can choose to drape. Fold the dupatta into thin plates and then attach it to one shoulder. This way almost no part of the lehenga gets covered and you can show off the design of your lehenga from every angle. The folded pleats add beautiful texture.

7. Neck Dupatta Draping Style

If you want to flaunt your outfit without covering it from anywhere, draping the lehenga dupatta on your neck and letting it flow in the back is the best way out. The style shows off your blouse neckline beautifully while staying trendy and chic. The dupatta elegantly drapes around the neckline to frame your shoulders.

8. Cape Style Dupatta Draping Style

This dupatta draping style comes directly from the celebrity style book. You can wrap the dupatta from the back, and covering your arms, attach two ends in the middle, at the neck. The cape-style lehenga works best in the case of net or dupattas made of light fabrics. Apart from being attached from the neck, the rest of the dupatta is allowed to flow freely and barely covers the front, but comprehensively covers the back. It forms a glamorous cape effect.

9. Gujarati Saree Style Dupatta Draping Style

A very simple yet elegant style that oozes royalty and magnificence is the Gujarati draping style. The only difference between Gujarati and typical dupatta style drape is that in Gujarati the dupatta is allowed to freely fall in the front. You attach the dupatta to the waist and the wrap is half around you and bring it to the form over one shoulder and again spread it on the waist. Style Tip: While attaching it to the shoulder, you must fold the dupatta in plates and then spread those plates around the waist like a fan. The fan-like drape at the waist creates a beautiful silhouette.

10. Around the Shoulders from the Back Dupatta Drape

A style that is much like draping a shawl. You can wrap your dupatta on the arms, from the back, leaving the dupatta hanging in the middle in a stretched U-like shape. You might also choose to not wrap but simply attach the dupatta to your sleeves and hold the ends of the dupatta, in your hand. The dupatta elegantly drapes over both arms like a shawl.

11. Patiala Style Dupatta Drape

Have you seen Punjabi newlyweds wrap their dupattas around Patiala suits? This dupatta drape style is absolutely adorable. Attaching one end of the dupatta to the shoulder, forming a V while attaching the centre of the dupatta to the other shoulder. The dupatta can further be wrapped around the heads, otherwise can be chosen to fall freely on the back. The V-shape drape frames the upper body flatteringly.

12. Over the Head, Held by the Hands Dupatta Drape

For this style, one needs a larger dupatta, that is, at least a 3m dupatta. The dupatta is suppose to be attached to the head and fall freely on the back. However, the extra length of the dupatta is supposed to be wrapped around the hands. This style makes for a very royal look. Tip: you can choose this one if your lehenga is extremely simple, but the dupatta is embroidered or embellished. Holding the ends of the dupatta in your hands adds a graceful touch.

13. One Shoulder One Hand Dupatta Draping Style

This is one of the most royal styles, straight from the 80s. Plate the dupatta and attach it to one of the shoulders and then wrap the free-falling one from behind and bring it forward, rolling it on the opposite hand. This way, the dupatta falls freely from one shoulder and one hand, in the front. The contrast of one side draped and the other side held in hand creates an eye-catching asymmetry.

14. Over the shoulders and through the elbows

This dupatta draping style gives off regal Mughal vibes and is also one of the most comfortable ways to drape your lehenga dupatta. You need to wear the dupatta over your shoulders from the back to front and hold the loose end with your elbows. You can pin the dupatta in the midpoint of the blouse at the back if you want to hold it securely in place. The dupatta elegantly drapes over both shoulders and arms for a royal look.

15. Double Dupatta Draping Styles

This style is usually best for the brides too. It adds to the royal look and is favourably convenient. Sometimes when you have a smaller dupatta, it is very difficult to wrap it around the lehenga as well as the head, thus, the best option is to wear two dupattas. The twist in the style is that you can make it even more stylish by using two different dupattas of contrasting or matching colours. One dupatta can be wrapped around the head, which could be lighter, and the other one can be wrapped around in a typical saree or Gujarati style. Let’s see how you can style a double dupatta drape. The mix of two dupattas creates stunning texture, colour and volume.

16. Above the head covering your face

This dupatta draping style is indeed lovely and looks awesome if you have a net dupatta. Just allow the dupatta to cover your face and allow the Dupatta to flow in behind. Just like a princess! The lightweight net gracefully veils your face for an ethereal bridal look.

17. Christian Trail Dupatta Draping Style

Christian wedding outfits have their own beauty and the trail just adds to the magic. You can plan on flaunting the veil-style dupatta with your lehenga and look absolutely stunning. Make sure that the dupatta you choose has a long trail, preferably net to add to your charm. The long trailing dupatta creates a gorgeous sweep train effect.

FAQs

On which side is the dupatta typically worn with a lehenga?

The dupatta is typically worn on the left side with a lehenga. This classic way of draping the dupatta lets it gracefully flow over the left shoulder and across the chest, adding classiness and magic to the lehenga outfit. 

Can a lehenga be worn without a dupatta?

Yes, a lehenga can definitely be worn without a dupatta.

While the dupatta is a standard and vital part of many lehenga choli ensembles, it is not compulsory to wear it.

Many modern and contemporary lehenga designs are crafted to be worn without a dupatta.

What are some tips for carrying a dupatta in a stylish way?

• When wearing a dupatta with your lehenga, there are many creative styling techniques you can use to add flair and make a fashion statement. Here are a few ideas:
  Play with different draping styles like throwing the dupatta over just one shoulder for a casual vibe or draping it around both shoulders for a more elegant look.
• Get creative with how you position the folds and pleats.
  Cinch the dupatta at your waist with a decorative belt or strap to keep it securely in place. This also adds a fun pop of color and texture.
  Opt for a dupatta with embellished edges, bold patterns or colorful prints. This will make the dupatta stand out.
  Layer two or more sheer dupattas together for a dreamy, floating effect.
  Use pearl pins, brooches or hair accessories like maang tikkas to hold the dupatta in place in a decorative way.
  Most importantly, choose a draping style you are comfortable with and carry it with confidence and grace. Make it your own!