India is the land of multiple types of sarees including Banarasi, Kanjeevaram, Chanderi, Sambalpuri, and many others. You can choose to flaunt your style by wearing any of the numerous varieties of sarees available in our country. From the mood you are in, to the occasion you want to wear it to, the types of sarees such as Soft silk, Paithani, or Patola sarees you wear says a lot about you and your style.
Choose from a wide range of pattu or silk sarees, a South Indian favourite for festive occasions like weddings or pujas, Pochampally sarees, Mysore pure silk sarees, Chiffon Sarees, Chanderi sarees, Ikat sarees, and more. How do you decide what type of saree you should wear? It depends on several factors. The types of sarees, names of which are mentioned below, have different cultural narratives and histories that women of that region are proud to wear.
Depending on the occasion, you can also choose to wear different types of sarees, names that often correspond to regions and states, that suit your special occasion.
Here is a List of Different Types of Sarees in India:
1. Mysore silk sarees:
This type of saree was first introduced during the reign of the Maharajas of Mysore and was considered fit only for royalty for many years.
Mysore silk sarees are one of the finest silk sarees available in the world today. Soft and luxurious with a beautiful sheen, this type of saree is perfect to wear as bridal wear or when attending a wedding or religious ceremony.
2. Pochampally sarees:
Pochampally sarees are well known for their distinctive, dark colours. Introduced in Andhra Pradesh, it is named after the city in which it was found.
This type of saree is famous for its ikat and traditional motif designs, including peacocks and geometric designs. The Pochampally saree is best worn with oxidized or silver colour jewellery.
3. Chanderi sarees:
These lightweight sarees can be worn for anything from festive occasions to office wear. This style of fashion sarees originated in Madhya Pradesh.
They look royal and elegant with a sheer texture because of their weave. This is one of the types of sarees looks beautiful when paired with a sleeveless blouse.
4. Chiffon sarees:
These types of sarees are available in a wide variety of peppy colours and prints.
They are suitable for festive occasions, weddings, or work events because they are easy to maintain and handle. In addition, chiffon sarees pair well with crop tops and silver jewellery.
5. Georgette sarees:
Georgette sarees are, again, lightweight sarees that are easy to wear. They can be dressed up for a special occasion or dressed down for everyday wear. This type of saree looks stylish and is supremely comfortable to wear.
6. Art silk sarees:
Luxurious yet lightweight, these types of sarees are a must-have in every modern Indian woman’s wardrobe. Art silk sarees are made from artificial silk, specifically a rayon blend, and are perfect for weddings and festive occasions.
7. Satin sarees:
Silky smooth satin sarees are a bold fashion statement with a touch of the traditional. Perfect for weddings and festive occasions, these types of sarees don’t wrinkle or get crushed no matter how long you wear them.
While satin sarees always look great, they are rather difficult to wear without some practice.
8. Raw silk sarees:
As the most natural form of silk, this type of saree looks glossy but feels silky. With an uneven texture, the threads on the weave are strong and support different kinds of embroidery. Both colours and embroidery look fantastic on raw silk.
9. Kanjeevaram silk sarees:
These types of sarees are well-known across the country and are extremely popular. Worn for weddings and special occasions, Kanjeevarams are particularly well-loved in the south of India. These sarees are family heirlooms and are often handed down from generation to generation.
10. Net sarees:
If silks are too traditional, net sarees are precisely what the modern fashionista can use. Lightweight and functional, net sarees also look the part.
Dressed up with embroidery, these kinds of sarees are perfect as bridal wear. However, a simpler version is suitable for everyday wear. These versatile sarees are also easy on the wallet.
11. Traditional Bengali sarees:
The atpoure shari is a traditional Bengali saree that is white with a red border. The box pleats come in the front while the pallu falls on both shoulders.
12. Maharashtra’s nauvari sarees:
The nauvari is a nine-yard saree that is draped in a dhoti-style where the pleats are pulled through the legs and tucked at the back.
13. Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, and Odisha’s Seedha Pallu Sarees:
The seedha pallu is worn even today by the women in these areas. The distinct part of this style is that the pallu comes from back to front, much like a dupatta.
14. Telangana and Andhra Pradesh Sarees:
The nivi has inspired the modern saree. The kappulu is another style from the region and is worn by the older generations. This style of saree wraps from left to right.
It also has narrow pleats at the back and the pallu hangs over the right shoulder lose or wrapped around the neck.
15. Assam:
The mekhela chador is made up of two parts: the bottom part is worn like a sarong with crisscross pleats in front while the second part is tucked around the waist and draped over the left shoulder.
16. Tamil Nadu:
The pinkosu is best suited for hot weather. The word pinkosu means ‘pleats at the back’. The saree is wrapped around the waist one and a half times and the inner side of the saree is sometimes visible. That’s why handloom cotton sarees are preferred as they are reversible.
The madisaru is worn by the Iyengar and Iyer community in Tamil Nadu. It was a tradition for a woman to wear this type of saree after her marriage.
17. Karnataka:
The Halakki Vokkaliga tribe of Karnataka live at the base of the Western Ghats. The women of the tribe wear their sarees in a particular manner—tied around the neck and wrapped around their bodies like a sarong, making a blouse or underskirt unnecessary. The Coorgi style of wearing a saree is distinct. To help women climb the hilly slopes of Coorg, the saree has pleats at the back and the pallu is brought from the back over both shoulders and secured on the right shoulder with a knot.
18. Goa:
The Kunbi style of wearing a saree is followed by the tribal women of Goa. It is wrapped around the waist and simply knotted on the right shoulder. It is calf-length allowing women ease of movement when working in their rice fields.
Types of Sarees, By Region
Northern and Central Regions
- Banarasi – Uttar Pradesh
- Pattu – Himachal Pradesh
- Chanderi saree – Madhya Pradesh
- Kosa silk – Chhattisgarh
Eastern Regions
- Tant – West Bengal
- Shantipuri cotton – Shantipur, Phulia, West Bengal
- Rajshahi silk / Eri – Rajshahi, Bangladesh
- Mooga silk – Assam
- Mekhla Cotton – Assam
- Sambalpuri Silk & Cotton saree – Sambalpur, Odisha
- Ikkat Silk & Cotton saree – Bargarh, Odisha
- Berhampuri silk – Behrampur, Odisha
- Manipuri Tant saree – Manipur
Western Regions
- Paithanpattu – Maharashtra
- Yeola saree – Maharashtra
- Khun fabric – Maharashtra
- Karvati tussar saree – Maharashtra
- Bandhani – Gujarat, Rajasthan, Pakistan, Sindh
- Kota doria – Rajasthan, Pakistan, Sindh
- Patola – Gujarat
- Bagru – Rajasthan
Southern Regions
- Mysore silk – Karnataka
- Kanchipuram Silk (locally called Kanjipuram pattu) – Tamil Nadu
- Ilkal saree – Karnataka
- Sulebhavi saree – Sulebhavi, Karnataka
- Venkatagiri – Andhra Pradesh
- Mangalagiri Silk sarees – Andhra Pradesh
- Uppada Silk sarees – Andhra Pradesh
- Chettinad sarees – Tamil Nadu
- Kumbakonam – Tamil Nadu
- Thirubuvanam – Tamil Nadu
- Coimbatore cotton – Tamil Nadu
- Salem silk – Tamil Nadu
- Madurai cotton sarees – Tamil Nadu
- Tiruchirappalli sarees – Tamil Nadu
- Nagercoil sarees – Tamil Nadu
- Kerala saree silk and cotton – Kerala
- Balarampuram – Kerala
- Mundum Neriyathum – Kerala
- Mayilati silk – Kerala
- Kannur cotton – Kerala
- Kalpathi silk sarees – Kerala
- Pochampally saree or Puttapaka saree – Telangana
- Gadwal saree – Telangana
- Narayanpet – Telangana
How do you decide what to wear with so many saree varieties to choose from?
We have three key criteria:
- Choose what matches your personality and style. You won’t be comfortable in something that doesn’t suit you. So instead of blindly following trends, choose to follow your personal style book instead.
- Choose by occasion. A simple cotton saree will look out of place at a grand wedding or festival occasion. Similarly, a richly embroidered saree will be too much for a professional situation.
- Choose based on types of saree material. Different materials are perfect for different body shapes and activities.
These are just some of the many styles that exist in a large, diverse country. Each style is unique and specific to the weather of the region and the work that the women of the region engage in. Yet, each is beautiful in its way, a stunning representation of the power of the women who wear it.
FAQs on Types of Sarees
What type of saree is best?
Every person is different when it comes to fashion and style. Choosing the right saree is primarily based on your personality and the occasion you plan to wear it. As mentioned above, sarees for weddings contain some amount of zari embroidery because it looks beautiful and is traditional. On the other hand, sarees for festival occasions depend on the time of day and the festival itself.
Which saree is most popular?
Every region has its signature saree style. For example, Kanjeevaram silk sarees rule the wardrobes of fashionistas in Tamil Nadu. In Uttar Pradesh, Banarasi sarees do. In Gujarat, Bandhani sarees are the most popular. By and large though, across the country, silk sarees continue to dominate the spectrum of occasion-based sarees. The weave and colour scheme may vary, but the most popular material will probably be silk for special occasions and cotton for everyday wear.
Which type of saree is best for ladies?
Lightweight saree fabrics are easy to wear and are perfect for all-day occasions. It hugs our curves and looks fantastic on Indian women. Silks make a woman look tall and slim, while cotton sarees keep the heat at bay. Net, chiffon, and synthetic fabrics are perfect for day-to-night occasions.