How to Style Your Dupatta as a Headwrap

A dupatta, akin to a shawl-like scarf, forms an integral part of traditional attire for women across the Indian subcontinent. Whether you don it for cultural significance or as a fashion statement, mastering its art is simpler than you imagine! Just ensure you follow the appropriate steps and choose the right occasion for its wear.

Prepare your dupatta by ironing it to smoothen any wrinkles on the fabric. Dupattas come in various materials, predominantly silk or cotton. For silk dupattas, gently hand wash in warm water, then iron the backside with a matte finish using a low-heat setting. For cotton dupattas, dampen them with water from a spray bottle and apply a hot iron over the surface, being cautious not to leave it in one spot for too long.

• Ensure not to let the iron rest on the fabric for more than 1 to 2 seconds in any single area.

Hold the dupatta horizontally in front of you. Stand in front of a mirror, grasping the dupatta horizontally with both hands. Begin rolling it loosely until it fits comfortably in each hand. Adjust the dupatta to ensure equal lengths hang on both sides.

• If a mirror isn't available, putting on the dupatta may be slightly more challenging.

Position the dupatta behind your head, against the nape of your neck. Holding the dupatta horizontally in front of you, lift it over your head and place it on your neck. Pull down each side so the ends drape down either side of your neck.

• Ensure the matte finish side is against your neck.

Pull the edges of the dupatta over your head. Grasp the outer edges of the dupatta with both hands, one on each shoulder, and pull it up and over your head, covering as much or as little as you prefer.

• For Muslim gatherings, fully cover your head. For Sikh, Hindu, or non-religious events, a casual drape over your hair suffices.

Wrap one or both sides of the dupatta over the opposite shoulder. Take one end of the dupatta, hanging in front of you over your arm, and drape it over the opposite shoulder. Repeat with the other end if desired.

• Experiment in front of the mirror to find your preferred style.

Secure your hair within the dupatta using hairpins. For updos, use hairpins to keep your hair in place. For loose hair, twist two sections together at the crown of your head and secure with pins.

• Use safety pins to fasten any loose parts of the dupatta to your outfit. Prioritize comfort!

Hold the dupatta lengthwise in front of you. Grip the top-right corner with one hand and the top-left corner with the other. Extend each hand outward equally, stretching the dupatta away from your body.

• Ensure both hands are extended horizontally at the same distance from your body.

Fold the dupatta in half lengthwise and hold it in front of you. Bring both hands together, connecting the corners of the dupatta. Then, grasp the opposite top corner with one hand while holding the connected corners with the other. Hold the dupatta lengthwise in front of you again—it should now be half its original size.

• Keep both arms extended horizontally away from your body.

Position the dupatta around your head, aligning it with your nose. Hold each corner and bring your hands behind your head, ensuring the dupatta runs across your face at nose level.

• Adjust the position until the dupatta comfortably covers your nose and under your eyes.

Tie the dupatta around your head at nose level. Secure the dupatta in place over your nose, ensuring clear visibility. Then, lower your head and tie a standard knot to keep it secure.

• Ensure the knot is centered at the back of your head.

Bring the front of the dupatta over your head. Grasp the front of the dupatta—ensuring it's the upper layer—and pull it across the top of your head until it drapes down your back. Verify that your head and face are covered, leaving your eyes visible.

• Adjust the positioning until you have clear visibility.
• Ensure there's an opening at both the top and bottom of the dupatta before pulling it over your head. If the openings are at the sides, your eyes won't have a gap.

Gracefully drape the dupatta over your head for a classic appearance. This method is widely favored for wearing a dupatta. Hold the dupatta behind your neck, place the top over your head along your hairline, and drape each corner over your forearms towards your body.

• Opt for this style during religious ceremonies, engagements, weddings, or festive occasions.

Create an elegant U-turn with the dupatta for a sophisticated look. Begin by holding the top of the dupatta behind your head with your arms extended upwards. Position it on your head parallel to your hairline, ensuring both forearms are covered. Then, drape one corner over your elbow and wrap the opposite corner over the same elbow in the opposite direction.

• Both corners should hang over the same arm—one towards the front and the other over your shoulder towards the back.
• This U-turn style complements churidar, salwar kameez, and sharara suits.

Add flair by pinning your dupatta to your waist. Place the dupatta over your head and across your forearms. Take one end that extends beyond your forearms and secure it to your waist at hipbone level with a safety pin.

• Repeat this on the opposite side if desired.

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