Different Types of Dupatta

The dupatta, a.k.a. the shawl, is an important accessory for Indian women’s clothing. To be honest, there are different dupatta draping styles, depending on the occasion, the outfit chosen, the material, etc. For example, when wearing outfits like kurtis or salwar kameez, women prefer wearing them over-the-shoulder or double-sided. Whereas, when wearing anarkali, belted or one-side-pleated is preferred. 

Keeping these things aside, we can observe a new trend wherein wearing dupattas has become optional. Nevertheless, adding dupattas will always uplift the overall look of a woman’s outfit. So, if you’re interested in buying dupattas from a leading online clothing store in India, this blog post is for you! Educate yourself on the various types of dupattas or shawls available online and make your outfits from just wow to great. Also, don’t forget to check out the styling tips at the end of the blog post. 

Different types of Indian dupatta

(i) Based on the material

Velvet dupattas give rich looks and are preferred for special occasions like ethnic functions or celebrations. They are soft and feathery. Also, they give a warm feel due to their sturdiness.  

This is one of the most widely used fabrics in shawls. They are made of natural cotton fibers that are lightweight, texture-soft, and vibrant in color. While buying, ensure the cotton dupatta for women is made of  100% natural cotton and not a blend of synthetic fibers. Only those can be skin- and environment-friendly.

The gold saris on the finest silk fabric make it more special and suitable for festive occasions. Wearing this dupatta makes the look elegant and grand. 

This silk is known for its gold or silver thread and intricate designs. This fabric is made of pure mulberry silk threads and thus weighs heavily when worn.

These dupattas are mostly transparent and look like a mesh made of a net. Plain sheer dupattas are less expensive than embroidered or patterned ones. 

This is also a type of sheer fabric made of silk threads. They are ideal for cholis or lehangas. 

A lightweight fabric that’s semi-transparent and summer-friendly. Chanderi or Georgette fabrics are also semi-sheer, lightweight, and trendy.

These dupattas are made of pure Tussar silkworm threads. Truly, they are soft and dominated by golden designs.  

(ii) Based on the design or pattern of the dupatta

Most of the below-listed crafts are worked either on a women's cotton dupatta or sheer dupatta. 

Dupatta styling tips

The most common way of styling a dupatta is by choosing the same color dupatta as the pants and matching or contrasting it with the tops or kameez. However, here are some unique styling tips: 

1. Learn how to wear dupatta for each draping style to not ruin the look and style.
2. Choose unique patterns or embroidery designs.
3. Drape it as you like without compromising the comfort.
4. Prefer solid colors when the tops are fully designed and vice versa.
5. Check whether the hues or shades are perfectly right under natural light.