Don’t you love the wedding season? Oh the joy of dressing up, the excuse to accessorise to your heart’s content without being afraid of being over-the-top or over-dressed.

What would be your go-to attire for this wedding season or for that traditional family do? If you are thinking of going uber-traditional, my guess is the “Lehenga Choli”. This centuries old women’s attire in the Indian subcontinent that owes it’s origin to the Mughal era has seen many variations be it the designs and motifs or the latest distinguishing styles of wearing the lehanga dupatta.

There can be no one way or the right way to wear the dupatta on your lehenga the next time. Go creative … maybe you will adopt your own style of lehenga dupatta wearing in the days ahead.

How to Wear Lehenga Dupatta in Different Styles?

Single Dupatta – with U in Front

Probably the most traditional of all the lehenga dupatta wearing styles, this is perfect for the bride who chooses to go orthodox. The dupatta is draped over the head, with both ends brought up front, one covering the front in a short U loop and tucked across the opposite shoulder, the other end draped loosely over the arm on that side.

Side Fall Dupatta Style

Friend of the bride or maybe for your own mehendi ceremony, this is a light and non-fussy drape. Best done with a net embellished dupatta, to contrast the heavy embroidery on the lehenga and choli, this is perfect trendsetter for day wear lehenga dupatta wearing style.

Single Dupatta – One Shouldered illusion of Height

So you chose to wear a long sleeved blouse/choli with a low waist lehenga? How do you plan to wear the lehenga dupatta? Create that illusion of height with your dupatta slung off one shoulder and taken across the back and stylishly worn over the opposite wrist. Stunning fashionista!

Single Dupatta – Warrior Princess

You dupatta is the statement piece on your lehenga? Well, show it off! This traditional and yet not so common style of wearing the lehenga dupatta will be remembered and repeated for generations. The short end is worn over the head and left draped across the shoulder on one side. The long end, is taken across the front in broad pleats and pinned on the opposite shoulder. The piece-de-resistance is the two-stranded shoulder belt, worn across, warrior princess style. This truly spells royalty!

How to wear the lehenga dupatta when you want to wear it styled as a sari? Another classic. This flowing style is best worn pleated like a Gujrati style sari, across the front and the longer end is draped loose hung across the back, tucked under the short drape. This style shows off the embellishments on the dupatta from the front.

This is a simple traditional style of wearing the lehenga dupatta, with the short end hung from one shoulder in the front and the longer end stylishly draped from the back and tucked into the lehenga, emphasising the intricate embroidery on the dupatta all across the back. Way to make an exit!

Single Dupatta – Coy Elegance

The dupatta is stretched on one shoulder and to the hand. The other end is draped carelessly across the front to be cinched at the opposite wrist.The overall look is one of shy elegance.

Single Dupatta – 90’ One Shouldered Drape

Slightly outdated but never boring, this one-shouldered drape is best pulled off with a plain net dupatta with a border and preferably for a classy day look. Some styles of draping your lehenga dupatta can never go out of style.

Mermaid Style

For your slim fit mermaid styled lehenga, surely you want to try out an unusual style of wearing your lehenga dupatta. The simple net dupatta is worn wrapped around the neck and from the back wrap it around the arm a few times. Do not wrap too tight, but just enough to create the elegant modern look!

Half Saree Drape

Inspired by the South Indian half sari, this style of wearing your lehenga dupatta will always be traditional. Hugging the waist, it defines the waist with a slim look. One corner of the dupatta is tucked into the right of the lehenga, Take it across the back, and drape over the left shoulder in a sari like pleat. The elegance of this style of wearing your lehenga dupatta, is in the V of the lehenga point at the back and worn tightly wrapped.

Single Dupatta – The Flowing Back Drape

This style of wearing the lehenga dupatta is the most casual and yet elegant. Draped loosely across the back, it shows off the embellishments on the dupatta as well as compliments the heavy lehenga beautifully.

Single Dupatta – One Sided Pleat

How to wear a lehenga dupatta that has a heavy edged border? This rust coloured gota work lehenga, is beautifully complimented with antique gold net dupatta. But what makes this style of wearing the lehenga dupatta iconic is when the thick edged border is shown off with broad pleat and thrown off one shoulder. Complete the look with a thick antique finish bracelet or bangle on the opposite wrist.

Cocktail Gown Back Drape

How would you wear your net dupatta with that elegant net lehenga? Well, go non-conventional with the classic cocktail gown stole drape. Loosely pleat the net dupatta and drape it across the back and loop over the elbows of both hands. It gives the classic look while making sure your beautiful elegant lehenga is perfectly complimented and not over shadowed.

Double Dupatta Draping Style

One Slung on the Arms from the Back, one Across

Wearing the double dupatta can be tricky unless done right. This is an easy style of wearing your lehenga dupatta, when you wear the heavy dupatta across the front like a sari. Take the lighter net dupatta in the cocktail gown stole style, across the back and slung from the elbows of both arms. Perfect for the bridal walk!

One Across the Front, One Pleated Long on the Opposite Shoulder

So you have chosen two very contrasting dupattas for the lehenga for your friend’s wedding. How would you carry off the double dupatta style? Wear the heavier embroidered contrast dupatta across the front going over one shoulder and tucked loosely from the back. This way the fancy embellishments are easily on display across the front. The dupatta that has a broad edged border can be worn pleated and worn lengthwise from the opposing shoulder. All you will need to complete the look would be a statement neckpiece and the perfect cocktail ring on one finger!

Single Dupatta Draping Style

Tied at the wrist, Draped front to Back

Would you wear your lehenga dupatta tied at the wrist? This is an interesting style when done right. Tie one end of your dupatta along one wrist. The opposite end, drape across the back loosely and leave the other end lengthwise pleated from the opposite shoulder. Very stylish and offers great mobility.

Single Dupatta – Tied at the Wrist Open Length

Don’t want to be bothered with a fussy style of wearing your lehenga dupatta? Tie one end to one wrist, take over the head and leave loose draped across the back. No fuss and yet stunning!

Double Dupatta – One Across the Front one over Head as a Veil

Very regal, this style of wearing the lehenga, the double dupatta look perfectly allows for all the fancy embroidery on the dupattas to be shown off. Wear one dupatta loosely draped across the front in the traditional style and the other over your head as a veil, with one side loosely held over the arm on that side and the other end left loose across the back! Perfect look for that much coveted heirloom maang-tikka you’d planned on wearing.

Single Dupatta – Like a Saree

This is a classic style of wearing the lehenga dupatta over the years. One end of the dupatta is pleated over one shoulder across the front, and the other is taken from the back and tucked into the lehenga from the opposite end.

Single Dupatta – The Shawl Drape

Not a very common style at all, this style of wearing the lehenga dupatta is very much like a shawl. Try your own variation, but never with a heavy dupatta. The net dupatta with a border is just right for this layered drapey style.

Single Dupatta – Wrapped across the Neck

This new style of wearing your lehenga dupatta is quite unusual. Drape half the dupatta in the front and wrap the rest around your neck, much like a scarf and throw the excess over the same shoulder. This drape style is best with light unembellished dupattas.

Single Dupatta – Criss Crossed

Start off this style of wearing the dupatta like a sari drape, but instead of leaving the long end simply hanging off the shoulder take it across the back and loop into the elbow of the opposite arm.

Single Dupatta – Draped like a Stole

Stylish stole drape for your lehenga dupatta? Ok, so try this one out. Tuck one end into the left of your lehenga. Take the length along the back and drape loose along the opposite shoulder, much like a stole. Fusion of traditional and modern.

Single Dupatta – The “Bong” style

Are you inspired by the Bengali traditional sari drape? Try it out with your lehenga dupatta style. It is a variation of the Sari Style, just complete the drape by taking the long end from the back under the opposite shoulder, pleat neatly and pin to the shoulder. If you want to make it even more typical, invest in a traditional antique look key ring and tie it to the pleated end!

Single Dupatta – The Unembellished Net

Some lehenagas do not need a fancy heavy dupatta to complete the look. Go back to the unembellished net draped over your head and a heavy lehenga.

Single Dupatta – Front Drape

This is a simple style of wearing the lehenga dupatta, fully covered front drape.

Cape Style

Very non-traditional, this style of wearing your lehenga dupatta could well turn into a new trend in the days ahead. If your lehenga is very heavily embroidered, go with a net dupatta. Right? Here is the twist. Get the dupatta stitched into a cape style that you could slip into with an asymmetrical short front and longer drape at the back!!! Not too many would risk this, but if you do, it could well be a trendsetter.

Single Dupatta – The Belt Belle

1. Above Navel Empress Style

Inspired by the royalty of southern India, this empress style belted look for your lehenga dupatta is very chic. Worn above the navel, the belt is best worn as an embroidered version of the lehenga border.

2. Below the Navel

For the embellished net dupatta, here’s how you can wear your lehenga dupatta this season. Invest in an antique style belt that can be worn over the dupatta, slung sexy lower than the navel. This look helps show off that waistline!

3. On the Navel

If your lehenga is for day wear and stark in its simplicity, sass it up with that antique belt that you found in your mum’s jewellery box. Drape the dupatta pleated over one shoulder and spread the pleats slightly over the front and cinch the belt over it to hold in place. The longer end can be taken from the back over the opposite wrist. Va-voom!

Single Dupatta – Pleated Waterfall Drape

How would you like this style for your lehenga dupatta? If your dupatta has a heavy broad border, make a thin pleat along the edge and pin about one third of the dupatta over your left shoulder. The other end, drape loosely across the front like a waterfall and tuck the end at the back. Make sure the loose drape is almost to the bottom but not along the floor.

Single Dupatta – Stylish Back U Drape

A variation of the water fall drape, this style of wearing your lehenga dupatta is essentially a play on your mood. If you have a dupatta that is unembellished other than the border, tuck in one end to the left of lehenga, just below the arm. Loosely U-drape the rest of the dupatta across the back and take across the front in a variation of the sari style.

Dupatta wearing styles can be many…. So which one is yours?