Sustainable fashion refers to fabrics derived from eco-friendly resources, such as sustainably grown fiber crops or recycled materials. It also refers to how these fabrics are made. Historically, being environmentally conscious towards clothing meant (1), making clothes last long by caring for them, repairing and patching them, (2) inheriting and using hand-me-downs within one’s extended family and community, (3) buying clothes from thrift stores or any shops that sell second-hand clothing, or (4) donating used clothes to shops previously mentioned, for reuse or resale.
Dupattas add elegance and grace to Indian outfits. Dupattas can be worn in different styles for a creative look. They can be worn with salwar kameez, lehengas and ghagra cholis. Since the past couple of years there has been a trend of 2 dupattas with the wedding outfits for Indian brides. There is so much you can do with just one dupatta. You can carry your dupatta in different ways and styles to give your attire a creative look.
Here are a few ways to style it;
1. Simply drape it around: You can drape your dupatta and it will look elegant and royal. It is best suited for cotton and linen dupattas. You can just pick one end of the dupatta on your right shoulder, take the other end and wrap it around your shoulder.You can pin the other end on the left shoulder forming a small circle around your neck.
2. Half-pleated pallus: Half-pleated pallus are one of the easiest and effortless ways to style your dupatta. All you need to do is to pleat the dupatta on one side of the shoulder and leave the fanned out part hanging in the front. You can let your dupatta hang from the other shoulder with no pleats.
3. Pleat on one end and open on the other: This is one of the most beautiful styles to drape your dupatta if you can have a designed border. You will have to pleat the dupatta along its entire length and pin it on one shoulder. One third of the dupatta should be behind the shoulder. Now you need to open the pleats and length of the dupatta in the front, take the upper part and pin it on your other shoulder.
4. Rolling it around your arms (elbows): You can also drape your new dupatta by rolling the other end of it into your arm or wrist. It gives a classy look. You can carry this style while wearing a lehenga choli and also in formal and semi-formal events.
5. The free falling style: If you want to flaunt your star dupatta, then free falling style is the best way. The free falling dupatta style without any pleats, it will just flow with the support of your shoulders and will also go with almost every Indian outfit. Be it formal or informal, you can use this draping style for regular wear, be it formal or casual.
6. The Waist Belt Drape: The Waist Belt is a modern and contemporary style which goes well with an Indo-western look. Cotton and georgette dupattas are apt for this style. You need to put the dupatta on one shoulder and keep the front length a little below the waist. Now tie a sleek belt around the waist with the front part of the dupatta tucked inside it. Now take the other end from behind and tuck it on the other side of the belt.
7. Just fanned on one arm: If you have a colourful or stiff dupatta, all you need to do is drape it on one shoulder and let it hang freely over your arm. This style can be used when you want to flaunt a heavy embroidered and stiff material look. Trust us, it gives a classy look!
8. Like a saree: If you are wearing a crop top with your lehengas, then you can drape your dupatta like a saree and that will give an elegant look. Just take your dupatta, pleat it on one side of the shoulder and pin the other half to your waist. You will have to make sure that you pin your dupatta in this style.
9. An upside-down U: Take your dupatta and put it around the back of your neck bringing it to the front. This can help you highlight a sexy back design and accessorise the simple front. This can be further styled with a sleek belt around your waist for an indo-western look.
10. The Shawl style: You can also wear your dupatta like a shawl with lehenga and choli. For this, open your dupatta and wrap it behind your back. Now bring the upper hem over the shoulders and let the folds of the dupatta open on the back. You can hold the fabric on the elbows and pin it on the shoulders if you feel the need.
We at AARI, keep a wide range of heavy embroidered and fancy dupattas that are so versatile to mix and match with all your existing outfits so that you can style them as good as new, each time you put them on. Drop by to see our exclusive range now!
