
How to Drape Saree in Lehenga Style: A Complete Tutorial
Multiple ways of draping sarees have emerged as a trend of sorts in recent times. One such popular trend is wearing a saree like a lehenga. Due to this, people often wonder how to drape saree in lehenga style. Scroll down to Learn the detailed steps to achieve interesting blends of the lehenga saree look.
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What Do You Mean By Saree Draping Like Lehenga?
Lehenga style saree draping is not a complicated concept but a blend of saree and lehenga choli elements to give you a stunning look.
This lehenga-style saree wrapping technique drapes the saree to resemble a lehenga skirt, adding volume and grace. The style is specifically ideal for weddings and festivities as it provides an elegant and royal look.

Crucial Prep Steps for Lehenga Style Saree Draping
The following pre-steps will help make the task of lehenga type saree draping much easier, hassle-free, and perfect :
1 Selecting the right saree
Making the right saree fabric choice makes the task of saree drape to lehenga conversion easy. Popular fabrics such as georgette, silk, or chiffon are highly recommended as these are easy to pleat and drape neatly.
2. Choosing the petticoat or underskirt
We cannot simply do without a petticoat or underskirt for a lehenga-style saree drape. A well-fitted petticoat will help you achieve a neat and polished look, making sure that the saree drapes evenly around the waist.
3. Important Accessories
Some types of accessories are important for the best lehenga saree drape. One such striking example is the safety pins that keep pleats and pallu intact. A sleek belt can also be draped around the waist for a modern twist to the traditional wear.
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How to Drape Saree in Lehenga Style in 7 Different Ways
Following are the 7 unique ways of saree draping like lehenga through which you can convert a regular saree into unique lehenga styles :

1 Lehenga Saree
To drape your regular saree like a lehenga, make sure that the pleats are even and tucked firmly. For this style, select a saree with broad borders.
Steps to wear a lehenga saree
- Wear a blouse and voluminous skirt.
- Tactfully form saree pleats and tuck inside from the left corner.
- Spare a little part of the saree for adjusting and making a pleat of the saree pallu.
- Taking the pallu from the right, pin it over the left shoulder.
- Make adjustments in the saree pleat and tuck it neatly inside in the middle of the backside.

2 Saree in a half saree-styled lehenga
Get a half-styled saree look with your saree acting as a lehenga dupatta.
Steps to drape a saree as lehenga dupatta
- Wear the blouse and lehenga skirt and tie it tight around the waistline.
- For a good pallu length. Securely pin the pallu on the left shoulder after draping it.
- Utilize the complete saree length for making pallu pleats.
- Make sure to leave the pleats loose on the left hip to create a U-shape on the back. Wear a belt for a perfect finish.

3 Saree in half saree style
This style resembles a lehenga-style half saree, perfect for wedding occasions.
Steps to drape a saree in half-style
- Wearing a blouse and lehenga skirt.
- In the middle, tuck inside the pleated saree part.
- Tuck in the pleated saree at the back. Securely pin up the pallu over the left shoulder.
- To create a u-shape on the back, tuck in the pleats in a neat way.
- Wear a belt for a complete look.

4 Half saree in lehenga style
One of the easiest fusion looks that suits everyone is the half-saree lehenga style.
Steps to achieve the half-saree lehenga look
- Wear the lehenga skirt and blouse.
- Select a dupatta that goes with the blouse colour and the skirt.
- Start pleating the pallu and pin it over the left shoulder.
- Tuck in the pallu on the back to form a slight U-shape on the right part of your hip.

5 Lehenga with saree as dupatta
This type of lehega-styled saree is quite popular among women.
Steps to wear lehenga-styled saree as dupatta
- Drape the lehenga skirt and blouse.
- Prepare the saree pleats by draping it over the front part and pinning it upon the left shoulder.
- Make changes in the pallu pleats, tucking them inside the other side of the saree on the front.
- Drape a sleek belt for a flawless finish.

6. Half saree lehenga with dupatta
This is one of the easiest styles if you are afraid of too much draping and pleating.
Steps to drape half-saree lehenga in dupatta style
- Wear the regular lehenga skirt and blouse with the dupatta draped as a half-saree.
- Heavy styled dupatta works well on simple lehenga or a simple dupatta works best on embellished lehenga.

7. Lehenga like half saree
This innovative style lets you wear your lehenga as a half-saree.
Steps to wear lehenga like half saree
- Dress yourself in your regular blouse and lehenga skirt.
- Select a dupatta that is the same color as the lehenga skirt.
- Style the dupatta and pin it over the left shoulder. Now, tuck inside the pleated dupatta on the back as you would drape for a half saree.
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Saree Draping as Lehenga Based on Various Saree Fabrics
The way you drape depends a lot on the fabric of the saree, as different materials behave differently in terms of fall, volume, and pleating. The following is an overview of how to drape saree like lehenga based on fabrics.
Saree fabric | Draping style |
Slik (kanjivaram , banarasi) | Best for voluminous, circular lehenga-style drapes. |
Lightweight fabrics (georgette, chiffon) | Ideal for a modern, sleek lehenga look or layered skirt drape. |
Net sarees | Layer it over a flared underskirt to get the lehenga feel. |
Velvet sarees | This type of fabric provides a paneled lehenga look. So, layer it rather than making dense pleats. |
Tissue, organza, sheer fabrics | Drape the saree in soft pleats for the lehenga base. |
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Tips for Perfecting Lehenga Type Saree Draping
To master the art of saree drape to lehenga style, adjust the pleats and length for a balanced look, and consider adding a dupatta for extra flair.
Here’s a more detailed guide:
1. Choose the Right Saree and Fabrics:
- Fabric: Opt for lightweight and flowing fabrics like georgette, chiffon, or crepe, which drape beautifully and create a slimmer appearance.
- Avoid heavy fabrics like velvet or brocade, as they can add bulk.
- Color: Darker shades help create a slimming impact.
2. Drape the Saree:
- Start: Tuck the saree end at the right waist and make pleats.
- Pleat Formation: Create small, even pleats to form the skirt’s structure.
- Pallu: Instead of draping the pallu over the shoulder, bring it around the waist to resemble a lehenga.
- Tucked and intact: The pallu is tucked neatly at the waist, enabling the pleats to cascade.
- Adjust: Adjust the length and pleats to achieve a balanced look.
3. Add a Dupatta (Optional):
- Double Dupatta: For a more elaborate look, consider draping a second dupatta over the saree, either around the neck or over the shoulder.
- Cape Style: Try a cape-style dupatta drape for a modern and elegant look.
- Coordination: Choose a dupatta that complements the saree and blouse.
4. Accessories:
- Jewelry: Opt for delicate jewelry that matches your saree and complements the overall look.
- Belts/Waist Chains: Styling belts or waist chains can highlight your waist, making your silhouette more defined.
5. Tips for a Slimmer Look:
- Fabric: Choose flowing and lightweight fabrics.
- Avoid: Overly heavy embellishments or bulky fabrics.
- Darker Colors: Darker colors can help camouflage problem areas and create a slimming effect.
- Seedha Pallu Style: Taking the pallu over the right shoulder makes you look taller and slimmer.
Conclusion
If you are bored with regular saree and lehenga draping styles, this guide on how to drape saree in lehenga style will help you create a refreshing fusion look. This fusion not only brings forth a fresh twist to the traditional saree look but also effectively brings to light the grandeur of a lehenga.
FAQs
Which is the best way to wear a saree like a lehenga?
Begin by tucking the saree into a lehenga or voluminous petticoat, creating small pleats to form a lehenga-like skirt.
A half saree or a lehenga, which is a better option?
A lehenga is a versatile outfit that can be worn for any special occasion. A half-saree holds cultural significance and is meant for specific occasions.
Can you turn a saree into a lehenga?
Yes, you can transform a saree into a lehenga, either by draping it or by getting it stitched as a skirt, blouse, or dupatta.
What is the best way of wearing a heavy saree as a lehenga?
Start with a well-fitted blouse and a lehenga skirt with small, even pleats for the skirt structure, and drape the remaining part of the saree on the left shoulder.
Which type of lehenga-style saree draping helps you look slim?
For a slimming effect while draping a saree in a lehenga style, focus on creating a vertical and streamlined silhouette.
Is it possible to drape a saree like a lehenga?
Draping a saree in the lehenga form is the best way of blending traditional elegance with modern trends.
How to drape silk saree like lehenga?
Create wide pleats across the waist to form a full circular lehenga.
How to wear a half saree with a lehenga skirt?
Tuck the saree across the waistline of the lehenga skirt, forming pleats, and pin the pallu on the left shoulder.
Is there any difference between a lehenga and a lehenga saree?
A lehenga is a three-piece, while a saree is a single piece of fabric, typically 5-9 yards long, that you can drape around the body.
What jewellery do you wear with a lehenga-style saree drape?
For a lehenga-style saree drape, think of traditional jewelry with matching bangles or kadas.