Hair Style for Saree: Here’s What To Try This Festive Season

What's your blouse doing? A deep back or intricate neckline wants to be seen, so hair should lift away or sit to one side. A high neck is far more forgiving.

What's happening at the shoulder? A pinned pallu or heavy dupatta needs space. Anything bulky sitting right behind it will fight you all day.

How long are you wearing it? A two-hour dinner and a twelve-hour wedding are different sports. Be honest about how often you'll fiddle with your hair.

Loose hair can look divine with a saree, provided it looks deliberate rather than forgotten. An open hair style for saree works best when the drape is lightweight, think chiffon, georgette or organza, and the blouse isn't competing for attention.

Soft waves Pairs with: a plain or lightly embroidered blouse and flowing fabrics. Lovely on medium to long hair. At home: Easy. A loose curling wand and a bit of texture spray will do it.

Soft curls Pairs with: evening sarees and statement earrings. Curls give shorter hair, say collarbone length, more presence. At home: Easy to intermediate. Curl in sections, then brush through with your fingers so they don't look like ringlets from a school play.

Sleek straight Pairs with: a sharp contemporary blouse, a bold colour or a cocktail-style drape. It's the cleanest option and the most unforgiving of frizz. At home: Easy, but it needs patience and a decent heat protectant.

A small warning: with a deep-back blouse, a full curtain of hair hides the very detail you paid your tailor for. Tuck one side behind your ear, or sweep everything over a single shoulder.

If you wear sarees to work, you already know the real test isn't how a style looks at nine a.m. It's how it survives the commute. A simple hair style for saree should stay put, take under ten minutes and not demand a mirror check every hour.

Low ponytail Pairs with: cotton, linen and handloom sarees, plus any blouse with a high or round neck. Suits long or mid-length hair. At home: Very easy. Wrap a section of hair around the elastic to hide it and you look instantly polished.

Side braid Pairs with: a pinned pallu on one shoulder, as the braid sits neatly on the opposite side. It's best on long hair. At home: Easy. Loosen it slightly with a gentle tug for a softer finish.

Easy twist Pairs with: office sarees and short or fine hair that won't hold a braid. Twist two sections back and pin them low. At home: Easy, with some practice. A couple of pins and a bit of dry shampoo for grip are usually all you need.

For a traditional hair style for saree, think low, sculpted and decorated. These are the looks that belong with silk, zari and heavy jewellery.

Low bun Pairs with: Kanjeevaram and Banarasi silks, plus heavy dupattas and any blouse with a deep back, because the bun sits low and keeps the neckline in clear view. Works on medium to long hair. At home: Intermediate. Smooth the hair first and pin it flat to the nape.

Gajra bun Pairs with: festive and wedding sarees. The flowers do the talking, so keep the rest simple. At home: Intermediate. Anchor the bun firmly first, then wind the gajra around it and pin it every few centimetres. Fresh jasmine is gorgeous but wilts by midnight.

Braid with flowers Pairs with: long hair and a classic South Indian look. It's lovely with a temple jewellery set. At home: Intermediate to tricky. Get someone to help with the back, and have extra pins ready.

Avoid a high bun with a heavy dupatta pinned at the shoulder. The two collide, the pallu wobbles and you'll spend the evening adjusting. If you love height, keep it soft and move the pallu pin further down.

Also skip stiff, heavily sprayed styles with delicate silks and fine embroidery. The fabric catches on crunchy hair, and you'll feel it.

When it comes to the festive season, there are a multitude of hairstyles you can choose from based on your outfit and the occasion. While you're at it, just always remember to keep it simple, true to what you are comfortable with, and you're sorted.