The saree is deeply entrenched in India’s fashion history and plays a major role in its heritage. These nine yards of elegance vary from state to state in India. Each has its own charm, craftsmanship, and style. Let’s check out the different types of sarees in India that add up grace to the Indian Heritage.

The History Of Sarees In India

The saree has been around for more than 6000 years. It is believed to have evolved from a three-piece garment consisting of unstitched pieces of cloth draped as a lower garment, a chest band, and a piece worn over one’s shoulder or head. The saree later became that one stretch of cloth that did all this at once. Skillfully pleated at the waist to make it convenient to walk, the saree thus became an integral part of Indian history.

Here are the different types of sarees found across India.

Different Types of Sarees

1. Assam Silk Saree

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Assam silk sarees are crafted with silk obtained from the domesticated multivoltine silkworm, Antiheroes assamensis. There are three major types of Assam wild silks – Golden Muga silk, White Pat silk, and Eri silk.

Material: Silk

Originally from: Sualkuchi

Attire from: Assam

2. Banarasi Silk Saree

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Banarasi sarees are made in the beautiful city of Varanasi, which is also known as Benaras or Banaras. These sarees are known for their richness and grandeur. With their magnificent embroidery done with gold and silver zari on fine silk, they are a must-have in your wardrobe.

Material: Silk

Originally from: Varanasi, Azamgarh, Jaunpur, Bhadohi, Chandauli, and Mirzapur

Attire from: Uttar Pradesh

3. Chanderi Saree

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Chanderi sarees are produced in pure silk, Chanderi cotton, and silk cotton. These saris are of the finest quality and known for their gold and silver zari, fine silk, and earthy richness.

Material: Silk and cotton

Originally from: Chanderi, Malwa, and Bundelkhand

Attire from: Madhya Pradesh

4. Sambalpuri Saree

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Sambalpuri sarees are hand-woven ikat sarees created with the tie-dye method. They are renowned for their geometric patterns and motifs likeshanka (shell), chakra (wheel), and flowers.

Material: Cotton, silk, and mercerization cotton

Originally from: Sambalpur, Bargarh, Sonepur, Brahmapur, Balangir, and Boudh

Attire from: Odisha

5. Kasta Saree

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Kasta or Kaashthasarees are the traditional nine-yard Maharashtrian sarees that are known for their draping style. They are draped in a dhoti-style known as Navvari, which means ‘nine-yards.’

Material: Cotton and silk

Originally from: Pune, Nashik, and Mumbai

Attire from: Maharashtra

6. Chiffon Saree

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The chiffon fabric can be traced way back to the 1700s in Europe. Even though this fabric is not originally from India, chiffon sarees have been all the rage for a long time now as they are frequently worn by actresses in Bollywood movies.

Material: Silk fiber, nylon, and polyester

Originally from: France

Attire from: Europe

7. Georgette Saree

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Georgette is a sheer, lightweight, dull-finished crêpe fabric. It is distantly related to chiffon, except it is a little more crinkly and known for its adaptive and easy-wearing abilities.

Material: Rayon, polyester, viscose, and nylon

Originally from: France

Attire from: France

8. Kosa Saree

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Kosa silk is obtained from the Indian silkworm and is a variety of Tussar silk. It is known for its sturdiness and is preferred over pure silk in Chhattisgarh. This silk is naturally dyed with the palaas flower, the red pollen of the rora flower, the dark rose-red from lac, and other natural colors.

Material: Silk, cotton, and polyester

Originally from: Korba and Champa

Attire from: Chhattisgarh

9. Net Saree

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Net sarees started trending a few years ago, but the net fabric has been in use for hundreds of years now. The origin of this fabric remains unclear, but it has been traced back to ancient India as well as western civilizations. It was initially used for wedding gowns and skirts and later upgraded to sarees.

Material: Cotton, artificial polyamides, nylon, and silk

Originally from: Mughal era

10. Bandhani Saree

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Bandhani or Bandhej sarees have a unique charm of their own. Made with the tie-dye method, the bandhani saree is usually found in bright and vibrant colors. It is usually dyed by hand and with natural colors.

Material: Silk, cotton, cotton silk, chiffon, and georgette

Originally from: Ahmedabad, Kutchh, Saurashtra, Rajasthan, and some parts of Uttar Pradesh

Attire from: Gujarat

11. Kasavu Saree

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Kasavu sarees (also known as Kerala sarees) are renowned for their minimalistic beauty. The base color varies from off-white to beige, and the border has a solid color and golden zari design. Majorly worn for Onam festival, the Kerala saree is now famous worldwide.

Material: Silk, cotton, and chiffon

Originally from: Kuthampully and Mysore

Attire from:  Kerala

12. Patola Saree

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Patola sarees are the double ikat patterned sarees that are made in Gujarat. It takes about four to six months to weave a single Patola saree, which makes it extremely expensive.

Material: Silk

Originally from: Patan,Lalitpur

Attire from: Gujarat

13. Kanjeevaram Saree

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Kanjeevaram or Kanchipuram is the finest silk in India. Kanjeevaram sarees are the patent bridal wear in South India as they are rich, regal and filled with gorgeous zari work.

Material: Silk

Originally from: Kanchipuram

Attire from: Tamil Nadu

14. Kalamkari Saree

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Kalamkari sarees are magnificent hand-painted sarees made in Andhra Pradesh. Kalamkari art is done on cotton or silk with a tamarind pen and natural color dyes. The word kalamkari is derived from the Persian word kalam (meaning ‘pen’) and kari(meaning skill).

Material: Silk and cotton

Originally from: Telangana

Attire from: Andhra Pradesh

15. Paithani Sarees

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The splendid Paithani saree from Maharashtra is known for its golden zari richness and peacock motifs all over the pallu. Paithani sarees are available in kaleidoscopic colors (Dhoop-Chaav shades) that add grandeur to the attire.

Material: Silk

Originally from: Paithan

Attire from: Maharashtra

16. Muga Saree

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The Muga saree is a variation of Assam silk saree. It is produced only in Assam and nowhere else. Muga is traditionally used to make an attire called Mehelka Sadar – a traditional Assamese saree.

Material: Silk

Originally from: Sualkuchi, Guwahati

Attire from: Assam

17. Puttapaka Saree

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Puttapaka sarees are a more detailed and close-knitted version of ikat sarees.  With more intricate geometric weaving, Puttapaka sarees have a stunning symmetry without undermining its aesthetic.

Material: Silk and puttapaka cotton

Originally from: Nalgonda

Attire from: Telangana

18. Phulkari Sarees

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Phulkari literally translates to ‘flower work’ and it originated from Punjab.Phulkari sarees are worn by women in Punjab during weddings, festivals, and other celebrations. With its vibrant colors and uniform floral patterns, the embroidery of Phulkari sarees is a treat for the eyes.

Material: Silk and cotton

Originally from:  Peshawar, Jhelum, Amritsar, Jalandhar, Ambala, and Ludhiana

Attire from: Punjab

19. Bhagalpuri Sarees

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Bhagalpuri sarees are known for their unique and striking fine silk. The silk is naturally dyed with vegetable colors and acid dyes that add to the charm of the saree. The simplicity of the saree makes sure it stands out in a crowd.

Material: Silk

Originally from: Bhagalpur

Attire from:  Bihar

20. Bomkai Sarees

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Bomkai sarees are produced in Odisha. Bomkai (also known as Sonepuri ) is an extraordinary fabric in silk and cotton, which is woven on a pit loom. The borders are usually done in contrasting colors and the pallu is filled with intricate threadwork.

Material: Silk and cotton

Originally from: Bomkai, Subarnapur

Attire from: Odisha

21. Dhakai Saree

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The dhakai saree is most commonly known as Dhaka-Jamdhani. This saree has multiple designs and motifs, each signifying various things like growth, fertility, and marital bliss.

Material: Cotton

Originally from: Dhaka

Attire from: Bangladesh

22. Pochampally Saree

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Pochampally sarees are the origin of the ikat style. The vibrant colors and unusual color combinations of Pochampally sarees make them extremely trendy and suitable for all age groups.

Material: Silk, cotton, and cotton silk

Originally from: Bhoodan Pochampally, Nalgonda, Telangana

Attire from: Andhra Pradesh

23. Gadwal Saree

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Highly noted for their vibrant zari, Gadwal sarees are a must-have in your wardrobe! The base of this saree is cotton while the border is crafted with silk and zari. The designs on these sarees are inspired by the regional temples and architecture, and you can notice some beautiful and exotic shapes decorating the borders and body.

Material: Silk and cotton

Originally from: Mahbubnagar, Uppadda

Attire from: Telangana

24. Konrad Saree

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Konrad (Koorainadu) sarees were originally woven for temple deities. The design of this saree is usually filled with checks or strips, and it is woven in fine silk. Another specialty of Konrad silk is that it is light-weight and easy to carry.

Material: Silk and cotton

Originally from: Koorainadu, Chennai

Attire from: Tamil Nadu

25. Ilkal Saree

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Ilkal sarees are woven using cotton warp for the body and art silk warp for the border and pallu. Be it checked, striped, or plain – Ilkal sarees look simple but are rich in texture.

Material: Silk and cotton

Originally from: Ikal, Bagalkot

Attire from: Karnataka

26. Chikankari Saree

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Chikankari sarees are delicate and artfully hand-embroidered. Traditionally, white thread used to the embroidered on pastel-colored sarees. The French knots and stitches are used to fill the embroidery designs.

Material: Cotton, georgette, silk, organza, and muslin

Originally from: Lucknow

Attire from: Uttar Pradesh

27. Mangalgiri Saree

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Mangalgiri sarees are plain with golden, silver, or colorful zari designs on the border. This saree looks simple but has a rich zari border and pallu and is easy to maintain.

Material: Cotton

Originally from: Mangalgiri, Chittoor

Attire from: Andhra Pradesh

28. Baluchari Sarees

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Baluchari sarees are handwoven using richly dyed silk, with intricate motifs depicting Indian mythology on the pallu. The designs usually depict stories from the Ramayana and Mahabharata, the most famous one being the story of Lord Krishna explaining the Bhagavad Gita to Arjuna.

Material: Silk and cotton

Originally from: Bishnupur, Balchur

Attire from: West Bengal

29. Kantha Saree

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The word kantha in Bengali means an ‘embroidered quilt.’ Initially used only on quilts, Kantha work is now done on sarees too. In spite of various developments, the embroidery continues to be done by the rural craftswomen of Bolpur, with the artform being passed down the generations over centuries.

Material: Silk, tussar silk, and cotton

Originally from: Bholpur, Birbhum

Attire from: West Bengal

30. Kota Saree

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KotaDoria or Kotasareesare made of pure cotton and silk and have square like textures woven. The checkered pattern of Kota sarees makes them stand out distinctively. The sarees are vibrant and usually slightly sheer.

Material: Silk and cotton

Originally from: Kota, Mau, and Muhammadabad Gohna

Attire from: Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh

31. Lehariya Saree

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Lehariya sarees are made with a simple style of tie-and-dye. The term lehariya means ‘wave-like.’ It symbolizes the unique and rich heritage of Rajasthan. The lehariya pattern goes diagonally along the edges of the saree.

Material: Cotton, silk, chiffon, and georgette

Originally from: Udaipur

Attire from: Rajasthan

32. Bengal Tant Saree

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Tant sarees flourished during the Mughal era and are the most famous style of Bengali sarees in India even today. Tant sarees are woven from cotton threads and distinguished by their lightness and transparency.

Material: Cotton

Originally from:Dhaka, Tangail, Murshidabad, Hooghly, Nadia

Attire from: West Bengal, Bangladesh

33. Gota Saree

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The gota saree is created with the Gota Patti embroidery on the Gota fabric. Patterns are created using applique technique with metallic Gota fabrics like gold, silver, and copper. The Gota work enhances and adds glamor to the saree.

Material: Silk, cotton, and georgette

Originally from: Jaipur, Bikaner, Ajmer, Udaipur, and Kota

Attire from: Rajasthan

The way a saree falls and drapes depends on its fabric. And each fabric has its unique aesthetic. Check out the different types of saree fabrics in the next section.

Types Of Saree Fabrics

1. Cotton

Cotton sarees are light and summer-friendly. Cotton absorbs all kinds of moisture and sweat, thus making it one of the most comfortable fabrics for humid and hot weather. You can pick from pure cotton, linen, and khadi.

2. Silk

If you are looking for a saree for a festival or wedding, go for a silk saree. It is not only comfortable to wear during the summer, but it also keeps you warm during the winter. You can go for a Kanjeevaram or an Assam Silk saree.

3. Sheer Fabrics

Fabrics like chiffon, organza, and taffeta are sheer and see-through. They are lightweight and usually preferred for daily and casual use.

4. Synthetic Fabrics

Synthetic fabrics include nylon, polyester, and rayon. These fabrics are ideal for people who don’t wear sarees regularly. They are known for their lightweight yet soft and smooth texture, and they are low-maintenance.

5. Net

Net sarees have been trending for a couple of decades now. Net fabric is used to make gowns, skirts, tops, dupattas, and sarees. It can be embellished with rhinestones and bedazzled borders.

6. Fiber Cellulose Fabrics

Fiber cellulose fabrics are made from the bark, wood, or leaves of plants, or from other plant-based materials. For example, jute, linen, and certain types of silks are obtained from bamboo plants.

Now that you know all about the different types and fabrics of sarees, let’s dive into the latest sarees making the rounds right now.

 Latest Saree Types In 2019

1. Belted Structure

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Belted sarees are a hot trend right now, and we are totally on board with it! The belt adds a structure and chicness to the ensemble. You can wear a sleek or a bold belt in leather, metal, or fabric over your saree for an instantly edgy party look.

2. Concept Sarees

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Concept sarees include pre-stitched sarees, cape sarees, saree gowns, and dhoti or pant-style sarees. This new wave of contemporary fashion is taking over and making it easy for all the ladies to add a hint of edginess to their style.

3. Soft Pastels

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Ditch the vibrant colors and opt for some pretty soft pastels. Pastel shades work for the day as well as for evening wear. Take your pick from peach, powder blue, blush pink, aqua, beige, and lilac.

4. It’s All In The Blouse

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A gorgeous blouse can up the oomph factor of your saree. With off-shoulder, cold-shoulder, criss-cross back, and every other style of blouse imaginable, the latest trends are setting some serious fashion goals. Make your blouse the highlight of your outfit to make the most basic saree look no less than a designer one.

5. High Neckline

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High-neck blouses are yet another trending blouse pattern. Ditch the usual deep U-neck blouses, and go for a stylish high-neck blouse. It adds a certain grace, elegance, and sophistication to the look.

6. Crystal Saree

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Bollywood heroines love blingy crystal sarees that brighten up the room instantly. This is the perfect festive or party-wear saree that you can pair with an equally fancy blouse in a chic way. Style it right, and you will surely make some heads turn!

7. Appliquéd Net

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Net sarees with appliqué work look simply stunning. The beautiful appliqués add charm and quirk to a plain and simple net saree. You can never go wrong with some floral appliqués!

8. Diamond Pattern

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Diamond and checkered patterns are back with a bang! As much as these patterns look great on silk and cotton, they look even more fabulous on chiffon and crepe. Self-printed diamond patterns also look great when teamed with a fancy blouse.

9. Rich Velvet

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Ever since Anushka Sharma wore a deep wine-colored velvet saree to her engagement party, the velvet saree has taken over the fashion world. It not only looks regal and elegant but also classy in an understated way.

10. Contemporary Prints

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Contemporary prints are a boon for all the fashionistas out there! Go for floral, chevron, or hound’s tooth print to add a touch of fun and quirkiness to your look. Pick them in offbeat and vibrant colors to finish off the look with perfection.

11. Thin Borders

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Big and broad borders are outdated now. The current trend is all about minimalistic patterns and designs. Even the borders have narrowed down to thin and delicate ones. This keeps the saree looking simple and easy to pair with a heavy blouse.

12. Polka Dotted Saree

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Polka dots were all the rage in the ‘70s and ‘80s, and they look totally fun and quirky! Pick a polka dots saree in chiffon or organza that have a charm of their own.

13. Heavenly White

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If you think all-white sarees look dull and bland, you are wrong. The monochrome look of a heavenly white saree and blouse looks fabulous. Mix it up with different fabrics like lace, net, or chiffon to add depth to your look.

14. Solid Bubblegum Love

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Pastel shades of yellow, blue, and pink are known as bubblegum colors. These colors are soothing to the eyes and perfect for when you want to keep your look light and simple.

15. Midnight Copper

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Metallic copper sarees look magnificent, and there are many chic ways to style them. From fancy belts to dramatic blouses, there are many elements that you can experiment with a copper-colored saree.

16. Maroon Strikes

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The color maroon has so much depth and sheen to it that it suits everyone. Be it in silk, satin, or cotton, maroon looks equally magnificent in each one of them.

17. Subtle In Peach

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Peach is one color that has a subtleness and charm of its own. It looks great on every skin tone and can be styled easily. It is a pleasant color to wear during the day and at night for a party. You can jazz it up with a contrast blouse and statement jewelry.

18. Metallic Sheens

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Metallic sarees in silver, gold, or bronze can up your fashion game instantly. The fabulous shimmer and sheen of a metallic saree can amp up your fashionista vibe. Pair it with a halter-neck blouse and get ready to rock your world.

19. Keeping It Classic

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The classic red and white combination looks stunning even on a cotton saree. This combo is an integral part of the traditional Bengali saree and is perfect for a traditional function or festival.

20. Scribbled In Monochrome

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A chiffon or satin monochrome saree with abstract prints looks chic and modern. Style it with minimum accessories to keep the focus on the saree.

21. Silver Linings

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Golden borders are cliché and common. A silver border adds a lovely appeal to the saree. Be it a pastel or a dark saree, it looks wonderful. Even rich Banarasi sarees often have a silver border to add a touch of grandeur to them.

22. Two-Piece Glamour

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A patli pallu saree gives you the beauty of two lovely contrasting colors in a single saree. Patli pallu has one color on the body of the saree and a contrasting color on the pallu that create a beautiful ensemble.

23. Touch Of Uniqueness

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Copper or gold with black is a classic combination that can never go wrong! The vibrance and depth of gold is beautifully balanced with a solid black. Try it out, and you will fall in love with this unique combination.

24. Laced With Love

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Lace is a delicate and sheer fabric that looks graceful and sexy at the same time! Trust us, this red lace saree will look no less than a showstopper at a party.

25. Being Modern

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Want to add a hint of chic modernness to your look? Try pairing a multicolored, abstract printed saree with an offbeat trendy blouse or crop top! You are bound to look like a million bucks.

26. Ethnic Conglomeration

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Though this saree has a traditional print, its draping style and texture are modern and edgy. It is a perfect fusion of tradition and trend. You can pair it up with a fancy crop top to create a fusion look.

27. Ombre Effect

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The ombre effect consists of a dark hue gradually fading into a lighter one. An ombre saree looks beautiful when draped and paired with a neutral or solid-colored blouse.

28. Colors of Joy

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There’s nothing more refreshing than a blast of vibrant colors. On the days when you can’t decide what to wear, this multicolored saree will come to your rescue. You can pair a blouse in literally any color with this saree.

29. Batik Love

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Batik is such an underrated art form, don’t you think? The urban edginess of a batik saree is irreplaceable. In spite of being a traditional style, a batik saree has a refreshingly modern feel to it.

30. Monochrome At Its Best

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The iconic chessboard checkered saree is something to die for! There’s a certain chicness and style to it that makes it stand out as a modern drape.

31. Pastel And Gold

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The subtleness of pastels can be jazzed up with the bling of gold. Gold zari can add grace and elegance even to a plain off-white saree. It also helps restore the traditional feel of the saree instantly.

32. Glimmering Paradise

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Glimmering silver can jazz up a saree, too! A simple shimmery border or a glitzy blouse can add life to any dull saree. This makes for the perfect party outfit. 

Infographic: 10 Essential Saree Styling Tips For Petite Women

With so many amazing varieties of sarees available everywhere, it may get tempting to pick and wear all of them. However, as with all things fashion, it is more important to know what will do your body shape and size the most justice than to go with the latest or the most popular options.

Check out this infographic to get a few tips on styling a saree like a diva if you are petite.

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

Frequently Asked Questions

Which type of saree is in trend?

Organza, net, color-blocked, ombre, and tissue sarees are the latest trends.

Which type of saree will I look slim in?

Sarees in lightweight fabrics such as chiffon, georgette, satin, certain silks and crepe can help you appear slim. Pick sarees with narrow borders and in solid colours or those with minimal prints.

How many types of silk sarees are there?

There are 26 different types of silk sarees from various states in India.

Which silk is costly?

Mulberry silk is the most expensive type of silk.