How to wear a Banarasi Dupatta and stay comfortable

by - 22:29:00

How to wear a Banarasi Dupatta and stay comfortable
How to wear a Banarasi Dupatta and stay comfortable

Most of you know my craze for anything handloom and handwoven. That love increases manifold when it is something as royal and intricate as the weaves of Banaras: Banarasi sarees. You have seen me style a Kimkhab Banarasi saree (See HERE) and an inherited 37 year old pure Katan silk Banarasi saree (See HERE). It is my humble attempt to reinstate the love for these amazing handwoven treasures by the weavers of Banaras amidst our generation so that it does not get lost. While I love my Banarasi sarees (even wore them for my wedding and reception), I know many who are not comfortable in sarees. So, this post is for them. Yes, you can adorn this beautiful handwoven jewel from Banaras in an easy-to carry dupatta form as well!
J Read on to find out how I styled a Banarasi dupatta.

Like my prized possession, the Kimkhaab Banarasi saree (checkpic HERE), I sourced this Banarasi dupatta from Instagram Seller Banaras Weaves (check their page HERE)

Among hundreds of other designs, this floral “Jangla” weave in bright Rani pink colour caught my fancy. Jangla weaves in Banarasi sarees or dupattas generally refer to silk threads and zari interwoven into floral and foliage designs all across the cloth. It is believed to be the most ancient form of Banarasi designs.

How to wear a Banarasi Dupatta and stay comfortable

How to wear a Banarasi Dupatta and stay comfortable
How to wear a Banarasi Dupatta and stay comfortable


It took me Rs.1400 when I had purchased it last year, but prices have increased to Rs.1600 now (Which isn’t  a big deal considering the  quality). The pure katan silk dupattas come in a much higher range for obvious reasons but I had settled for this semi-silk beauty due to lack of funds at that time J Although this piece is considerably cheaper, the dupatta has a wonderful flow to it and it is not stiff at all.

How to wear a Banarasi Dupatta and stay comfortable
How to wear a Banarasi Dupatta and stay comfortable

How to wear a Banarasi Dupatta and stay comfortable
How to wear a Banarasi Dupatta and stay comfortable

Originally, I had planned to get myself a plain bottle green colored silk kurta for this one, but then we shifted to Mumbai and the humid weather here made me rethink my decision. After all, what good it would be if I sweat away in an all silk ensemble? Thus, keeping comfort in mind, I chose a pure cotton deep green kurta which had a string of sequins on the hemlines. With that I paired a brown legging (Pink dupatta and pink legging would make the look too gawdy)

How to wear a Banarasi Dupatta and stay comfortable
How to wear a Banarasi Dupatta and stay comfortable

How to wear a Banarasi Dupatta and stay comfortable
Full View: How to wear a Banarasi Dupatta and stay comfortable

Close up of dupatta zari: How to wear a Banarasi Dupatta and stay comfortable

So, for all those of you, who wish to flaunt Banarasi designs, but shy away from the thought of a saree, can try these dupattas with solid colored kurtas. You may even give your simple one-colored lehengas a royal touch with a Banarasi Dupatta J I believe , the combination of a cotton kurta with dupatta will give you enough ease of carrying and not compromise on the grandeur J
How to wear a Banarasi Dupatta and stay comfortable
How to wear a Banarasi Dupatta and stay comfortable

Also, make sure you wear one head-turning piece of jewellery with the same. I opted for these huge jhumkas, you can go for a statement ring or a long chain with an oversized pendant J

With these festive colors, I chose a big bindi. You may skip this if you are not comfortable, but bindi does add a special touch, don’t you think? ;) Also, am wearing Nykaa Skingenius Foundation in Warm Sand (read full review here) and I love the natural coverage it gives along with dewiness. I smoked out my eyes with Colorbar’s eyeshadow crayon (Read review HERE) and finished the look with MAC Kinda Sexy lipstick (Read review HERE). I avoided bright colored lipstick so that the attention is drawn away from the vibrant color of the dupatta J

How to wear a Banarasi Dupatta and stay comfortable
How to wear a Banarasi Dupatta and stay comfortable: Makeup!

How to wear a Banarasi Dupatta and stay comfortable
How to wear a Banarasi Dupatta and stay comfortable: Makeup!


So, did you like the entire look? Do you think it’s time we look back into our rich past in terms of handlooms and revive it again? Because if we don’t do it, who will! J

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