The most common style of draping the sari is wrapped around the waist, then one end is draped over the shoulder. However, the sari can be draped in several different styles, though some styles do require a sari of a particular length or form. The French cultural anthropologist and sari researcher, Chantal Boulanger, categorizes sari drapes in the following families. Each family may contain many, slightly different styles.

• styles originally worn in Andhra Pradesh; besides the modern nivi, there is also the kaccha nivi, where the pleats are passed through the legs and tucked into the waist at the back. This allows free movement while covering the legs.
• North Indian/Gujarati – this style differs from the nivi only in the manner that the loose end is handled: in this style, the loose end is draped over the right shoulder rather than the left, and is also draped back-to-front rather than the other way around. Having formerly lost ground to the nivi, this style now represents a fashionable alternative for non-traditional wearers to use on social occasions.
• Maharashtrian/Kache – This drape (front and back) is very similar to that of the male Maharashtrian dhoti. The center of the sari (held lengthwise) is placed at the center back, the ends are brought forward and tied securely, then the two ends are wrapped around the legs. When worn as a sari, an extra-long cloth is used and the ends are then passed up over the shoulders and the upper body. There are many complicated styles based on this wrap. They are primarily worn by Brahmin women of Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.
• Dravidian – sari drapes worn in Tamil Nadu; many feature a pinkosu, or pleated rosette, at the waist.
• Madisaara style – This drape is typical of Brahmin ladies from Tamil Nadu and Kerala
• Kodagu style – This drape is confined to ladies hailing from the Kodagu district of Karnataka. In this style, the pleats are created in the rear, instead of the front. The loose end of the sari is draped back-to-front over the right shoulder, and is pinned to the rest of the sari.
• Gond – sari styles found in many parts of Central India. The cloth is first draped over the left shoulder, then arranged to cover the body.
• the two-piece sari, or mundum neryathum, worn in Kerala. Usually made of unbleached cotton and decorated with gold or colored stripes and/or borders.
• tribal styles – often secured by tying them firmly across the chest, covering the breasts.
• More modern drapes : Sarees can be worn in more stylish ways that will look entirely different . for different modern styles, refer Styles of draping below.

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It is the only garment that can be draped in 17 different styles and each one looks different from the other. You would be amazed to know that the sari is the only outfit, which makes a thin person look voluptuous and a fat person look thinner, if draped correctly with soft fabrics.

1. Hold the plain end of your saree towards the right side of your naval and tuck it into the drawstring petticoat. Remember .... let the bottom of your saree always touch the ground. Now take the drape.
2. Bring the drape to the front from the right side to a position in front of the naval in order to make a minimum of 6-7 pleats out of the drape.
3. Hold the pleats together and tuck them into the petticoat in the same position. Now take the loosened drape once again around from the left side and bring it to the front from the right side.
4. Hold the loosened end of the saree in front and start pleating (approximately 3-4 pleats).
5. Hold the pleats together.
6. Now bring the pleats over your shoulder, leaving the drape falling behind you. You may pin the pleats to your blouse if desired.
7. Bring the 'pallu' (the drape that falls behind) to the front and tuck it in for a stylish appearance !