Jamdani saree is a piece of Indian textile work, distinguished by its ornate weaving and exquisite beauty. Bengal is where this saree, either cotton or silk in fabric, originates from and gets celebrated for its minute patterns and enduring beauty. Even though Jamdani sarees are themselves light and subtle in nature, sometimes they do end up looking voluminous unless they are carefully draped. Still, with appropriate draping style, you can highlight the grace of this saree while you feel slimmer and more sleek.
Besides Jamdani sarees, these tips also hold good for other sarees such as the organza saree, purple saree, and grey saree, which are just as gorgeous when draped appropriately. Here are five chic draping methods that will make you appear slimmer when wearing your favorite saree.
- Classic Nivi Draping with a Slimming Twist
The Nivi drape is the most classic and widely used saree draping style in India. It entails pleating the saree at the waist and allowing the pallu to fall over one shoulder. Although this drape suits most body types, a few adjustments can make it even more slimming.
To begin with a Jamdani saree, fold sharp, regular pleats at your waist and tie them in place firmly. Rather than having the pallu fall loosely, take it over your body in a diagonal line so that it forms a vertical line which will make your silhouette appear longer. This will draw the focus from the waist area, creating the illusion of a thinner figure. Wearing a broad belt over the waist will further cinch your waist to create an hourglass figure.
This technique also gets along wonderfully well with the organza saree, which is light and draped. The starched pleats of an organza saree provide you with a crisp, sleek appearance, particularly when a bold pallu is worn which lengthens the body. The flowing nature of the organza ensures that the fabric lies flat on the body, so that the drape becomes even more flattering.
- Bengali Style Draping for a Streamlined Look
The Bengali draping is famous for its sophistication and elegance. The saree is wrapped around the waist, folded into neat pleats, and the pallu from the back is brought in front over the left shoulder. The pleats are usually tucked under the right shoulder, and the fabric drapes elegantly downwards.
This type is especially suitable for creating the illusion of a slimmer waist. While draping a Jamdani saree, keep the pleats at the waist tight and smooth, keeping bulk to a minimum. The draped pallu, which flows over the shoulder, creates depth and distracts the eye from the lower half. The geometric or floral patterns on the Jamdani saree, as well as its lightness, contribute to emphasizing the fluidity of the drape without adding any volume to your body.
A purple saree in this drape will create a striking contrast, as the rich color will provide depth to the overall look. The dark tones of the purple fabric enhance your waistline and create a slimmer appearance.
- Mermaid Draping for a Curved Silhouette
The mermaid drape is ideal for individuals who wish to accentuate their curves and produce a slinky, slender appearance. This kind of style hugs the lower body closely and produces a streamlined look with an enhancement of the natural curve of the wearer’s body.
To create the mermaid look with a Jamdani saree, first pleat the saree tightly at the waist. Ensure that the pleats are tightly tucked in, creating a straight, smooth line. Draping the pallu over the shoulder as one would normally do, the attention here is on the pleats and how they form a sleek silhouette along your waist and hips. This technique elongates your body, and you will look taller and thinner.
The grey saree, being tone-neutral, is perfect for this look. Its understated nature makes the pleats stand out and accentuates the figure without overwhelming the overall look. The mermaid cut is particularly well-suited with the delicate texture of the Jamdani saree, as it provides a clean and crisp finish that suits the body.
- Lehenga Style Draping for a Slimmer Bottom Half
The lehenga-style drape provides a contemporary and glamorous twist on the classic saree look. The style is an excellent choice for anyone who wishes to achieve a slimmer lower half while retaining a sophisticated figure. The saree is draped around the waist in the form of a lehenga skirt, and the pallu is draped over the shoulder, just like a dupatta.
For the Jamdani saree, this look produces a stunning contrast of volume at the bottom and a fitted look at the top. To achieve this slimming look, pleat the top part of the saree tightly and wrap the rest of the fabric around your waist in a circular motion, producing a skirt-like effect. The flowing pallu should be draped over your shoulder to finish the look.
The purple saree is ideal for this style. The bright color makes a striking visual statement while the full drape balances your figures. This style also provides the opportunity for the beautiful Jamdani patterns to be displayed tastefully, emphasizing both the saree’s craftsmanship and your flattering figure.
- Dhoti Style Draping for a Modern Look
For a more modern way of draping a saree, the dhoti style is a perfect choice. This style combines the appearance of dhoti pants and provides for a sleek, streamlined appearance. The fabric is pleated and wrapped around the waist, with the pallu draped over the shoulder.
In order to achieve dhoti style using a Jamdani saree, pleat the saree closely at the waist and fold the cloth inward to replicate the dhoti pleats. The remaining saree falls on the shoulder and is tucked in to form a defined, body-conforming shape. This look reduces the bulk around the hips and waist, creating an illusion of a thinner lower half.
An organza saree is perfect for this look because it is crisp and has a structured texture. The pleats retain their shape and do not lose their form, allowing you to get a neat and slender appearance. The sheer material of the organza also brings a touch of sophistication to the contemporary dhoti drape.
Conclusion
The charm of a Jamdani saree is in its delicate pattern and lightness of fabric, and that is why it is much loved by fashionistas. With the appropriate draping style, you can make it look even more elegant and trim. Ranging from the classic Nivi drape with the slimming variation to the trendy dhoti style, there are specific advantages of each of the draping styles. These styles are easily complemented with the organza saree, purple saree, and the grey saree, offering various choices for an elegant, trim silhouette. Using these easy yet productive draping techniques, you can make sure that you look and feel great each time you put on a saree.