17 Types Of Dupattas And Tips How To Wear Dupattas

All Types Of Dupattas: Dupattas are a symbol of modesty for Asian women, be it Pakistani, Indian, or any desi around the world. Indian and Pakistani women take dupattas over shalwar kameez usually. We will be talking about all the kinds of dupattas that are in style right now and the ones you should have in your wardrobe these days.

From floral dupattas to the chiffon ones, that look breathtaking with the lawn suits when Sadaf Kanwal flaunts them with her sharp jawline – trust us, they can look equally beautiful on you. Or silk dupattas which suit the best for hijab or crepe or satin fabric dupatta, we will cover all the dupattas that you should have in your wardrobe. For people who like to wear rather light and simple shalwar kameez, a pretty printed or embroidered dupatta with the fabric of your liking can be the game changer for your whole outfit. Just like the everyday white or black outfits, you must have seen Minal Khan and Aiman Khan wearing at Aiman Khan’s earlier dholkis, and oh my god their dupatta style stole our heart.

How to Style Dupattas in Different Ways?

Before we go into details, some quick short tips for what kind of dupattas you should have in your wardrobe for different occasions your way.

• Dupattas can be the make or break point of your whole outfit.
• The right dupatta fabric can also be used to create a beautiful hijab style for you.
• How you style the dupatta will define the whole personality of the outfit.
• Wearing two dupattas is the new bridal thing these days, looks elegant and helps you make a style statement with your dupatta.
• A knot style and muffler style stole dupatta can make the outfit look modern, they’re particularly recommended with western wear or when wearing kurtas with jeans.
• It’s preferable to go for dupattas with light embroidery when your outfit is heavier and vice versa.

Wear your dupatta like Superman’s cape, to compliment your outfit. So, now that that’s done, let’s get ahead into the list of dupattas that you should have in your wardrobe.

↓ 17 – Hyderabadi Khada Dupatta

Originating from Hyderabad, the Khada dupatta is linked back to the royal families of the sub-continent. No matter what your age or body shape, this dupatta can always be styled to perfection. It is a six-yard-long, upright dupatta that is draped in a unique way, mostly with kurta and churidar pajamas. Unlike all the other dupattas we’ll be discussing today, this one is not so readily available, and it has to be custom made. You should also have a look at these 25 Latest Shalwar Kameez Neck Styles.

Here’s a step by a step by step video tutorial to help you drape a khada dupatta:

↓ 16 – Velvet Dupattas

Velvet dupattas were seen everywhere we turned last winter. They were the talk of the town, and so they should be because they look magical and puts up the game of a formal dress from 1 to 10. We all are hoping velvet dupatta trend stay till coming winter as well, fingers crossed. And even if it doesn’t, velvet never goes out of fashion, right?

↓ 15 – Shawl Dupattas

Shawl dupattas are the perfect essential for winters. Looks modest and royal, keeps you warm, and is fashionable at the same time. Shawl dupattas can we paired with everyday outfits as well as weddings outfits with embroidery. Every girl needs to have at least one shawl dupatta in her wardrobe, though our recommendation is to have at least two. One should be reserved for formal wear, and this can be an embroidered shawl. While the plain shawl is just for casual, everyday wear like when you’re running out of the house to run errands and can’t find a matching dupatta, grab the neutral shawl! Another recommendation is to invest in one of the exquisite, royal shawls with tilla work that you can use to cover yourself during the cold winter weddings.

↓ 14 – Hand-Blocked Silk/Chanderi Dupattas

Hand block silk dupattas look like sheer work of art!

↓ 13 – Ajrak Dupattas

These age-old Sindhi dupattas have been every girl’s crush at one point or another. They look spectacular when worn with plain suits. Blogger Shehzeen is seen here wearing the dupatta with a plain outfit and her limited edition jewelry that she has designed in collaboration with IndiaTrend. You can follow their page to

↓ 12 – Dupattas For Hijab

When it comes to covering your head, the hijab fashion has evolved over the years. Initially, it was more about covering your head, and chest modestly with big and lose headscarves, however, with time, the hijab style had merged with modern fashion; thus different hijab styles and dupatta style have evolved. One beautiful and elegant hijab dupatta to must have in your wardrobe is a sleek, shiny satin fabric dupatta. It adds a luxurious and glitzy touch to the outfit. Be it plain satin scarves or the printed ones, make sure you get a good looking fabric as satin catches and reflects light from different angles. We will suggest you start with dark colors and then land on the lighter ones once you are comfortable with the fabric.

Another dupatta you must have in your wardrobe at all times, especially in summers, is a lightweight crepe fabric dupatta. The crepe fabric has always been worn and carried by Asian women in the past fashion era, as it is lightweight and does not add up too much volume over the head in warm weather. Crepe is a perfect fabric to make headscarves as they are not too slippery and stays on the head. You can wear a crepe fabric dupatta as a headscarf while going out with your friends in summer for lunch, school, work or anywhere casual. Light colors look better in crepe fabric, and we will suggest you stock up crepe dupattas to pair with any of your outfits and get going.

↓ 11 – Tie And Dye Dupatta

Tired of the same brands and watching the same prints that everyone is wearing? Why not design your own outfit this year? Tie and dye dupattas give you so much room for creativity. Most local Indian and Pakistani cloth markets have dyers that can give you a customized dupatta, dyed in color, and design of your choice at an incredibly reasonable rate.

 And if you’re brave enough, try dying your dupatta since it’s such a fun activity. Moreover, dying is a pretty straightforward process, so it’s worth trying at least once in your lifetime. Here’s a short video tutorial that can help you dye a dupatta at home.

↓ 10 – Chunri Dupatta

Oh, a chunri dupatta, my absolute favorite. I would suggest you all buy colored chunri print dupattas and make your plain and dull outfits vibrant and eye-catching. Everyday plain and dark kurta pajamas can be turned into festive looking and vibrant outfits with a chunri dupatta and some desi jhumkas and neck pieces to complete the look. Chunri dupattas have come and gone from fashion, but they never entirely go off the screen. It can serve you as your go-to dress for any special occasion. Heavy embroidered wedding attires can be paired with chunri dupattas as well. Stock up your wardrobe with chunri dupattas this wedding season and you are sorted for all the lined dholkis for sure. It is as lightweight as it can get, which makes it perfect for summers. Below we’ve shared a wedding look with chunri dupattas as well as a chic casual outfit for daily wear. Here are Dupatta Reuse Ideas & 20+ DIY Ways To Upcycle Your Old Dupattas.

↓ 09 – Floral Print Dupatta

With spring comes floral print. Nothing more cool to the eyes, vibrant, spring and summer appropriate than a floral print dupatta. Floral dupattas paired with floral printed suits or otherwise, with everyday outfits, it can put up the game of an outfit from 1 to 10. Floral prints are seen wherever you turn in spring and then it prolongs to summers most of the times, which makes it appropriate for both the seasons. You can pair a floral print dupatta with a  plain kurta pajama, anarkali or a pishwas or beautiful lawn suit. Floral print dupattas make for a beautiful headscarf as well.

↓ 08 – Chiffon Fabric Dupatta

Chiffon dupattas are the most beautiful and trendy dupattas to have in your wardrobe right now. All lawn outfits nowadays are coming out with printed chiffon dupattas, and they honestly add more beauty to the incredible lawn outfits. Chiffon dupattas look equally pretty with lawn or embroidered attires. You should stock up your wardrobe with chiffon floral or plain dupattas which can go with all your lawn attires, embroidered outfits with the same embroidery on it as well as neck scarves over jeans and shirts. A plain kurta pajama, shalwar kameez, anarkali dresses or pishwas can be paired with gotta work chiffon dupattas or floral printed ones to add color and beauty to the dull and one color plated boring outfits. Chiffon dupattas are very easy to find in local markets as well.

Embroidery chiffon dupatta with a lehnga-choli.

↓ 07 – Net Fabric Dupatta

Net dupattas are the most exceptional work of beauty I must say. They add a glittery yet elegant style to the outfit. Heading out to a get-together and don’t know what to throw over your desi attire? A net dupatta is the answer. Net dupattas are seen on every corner you turn to these days, be it heavy worked wedding wear, lawn or chiffon suits or party wear embroidered outfits for weddings and festivities both. You can pair a white banarsi shalwar kameez with a net dupatta with some gotta on it, and you are ready for a dholki, mayoon, mehndi, Diwali, Eid or a casual get together with friends. A net dupatta works with anything and everything. It’s precisely the right time to stock up your wardrobes with beautiful net dupattas of all kind.

↓ 06 – Georgette Fabric Dupatta

As soon as we talk about georgette dupattas, our brain instantly lands on wedding attires. That is because georgette dupattas are mainly worn with heavy wedding attires and partywear embroidered outfits, as georgette dupatta is pretty heavy itself and it can not be carried with everyday attires to university or work. To tame down the beautiful and heavy worked georgette dupatta, you should best wear it with a plain shalwar kameez, a pishwas or anarkali dress with some jhumkas and bangles to top it off. These georgette dupattas are statement pieces themselves, so they don’t need embroidered outfits to make them more eye-catchy. It adds a royal look to the whole outfit. Georgette outfits are pretty heavy to wear over your head, so they usually are carried on the side.

↓ 05 – Banarsi Dupatta

Banarsi always reminds me of a royal princess. Banarsi fabric makes up for the best saris to carry, which have been widely loved by Indian women. Indian Women have been seen wearing banarsi saris elegantly from decades now, and Pakistani women have taken upon banarsi lehengas and dupattas with sheer elegance as well. Banarsi dupattas are shiny, vibrant and look uber desi and beautiful over shalwar kameez or pishwas outfits. Banarasi silk dupattas have been trending lately, and they look beautiful to wear. This beautiful ensemble was worn by Hira, the stunning beauty and fashion Instagrammer, in collaboration with Sapphire.

↓ 04 – Phulkari Dupatta

Phulkari dupattas are oh so beautiful. Something you all ladies need to stock up your wardrobe with asap. Phulkari dupattas have originated from Punjab, and they demonstrate Punjab’s colorful vibe and beauty better than anything. Nothing would be better than to pair your eye-catching, bright and beautiful phulkari dupattas with a silk gharara and shirt for a formal look. Add some of your colorful jewelry on the top and you have a full-fledged outfit for a desi wedding event. Phulkari dupattas consist of complexed embroidery in different styles and shapes. The phulkari embroidery is done on woven cotton, chanderi and silk fabric with a floss silk thread. These beautiful dupattas are in style, absolutely breathtaking and add a royal style to a simple, dull outfit. This wedding season, use all the phulkari dupattas you have and if you don’t, then what are you waiting for? Since such dupattas look great with loosely fitted bottoms, have a look at these 20 Outfit Ideas to Wear Short Shirts with Palazzo Pants.

↓ 03 – Kiran Dupatta

Every year a certain style lands and then takes off for another style and fabric to make it place next year. This year, it is the kiran dupatta. Kiran is the sparkly tassel knitted to the side of the dupattas for wedding and desi event wear. Kiran dupattas are highly versatile, with many different types of designs available so you can always find one that goes with your budget. Different colored Kiran dupattas are must have in your wardrobe for this wedding season, don’t miss out on this beautiful style while it lasts. Kiran dupattas have come back in fashion now after the 90s and 80s, and we are not complaining at all. A beautiful Kiran dupatta paired with a heavy embroidered or plain suit looks breathtaking.

They also look great with your fancy wedding, lehnga cholis:

↓ 02 – Gotta Work Dupatta

Gotta work dupattas are back in town! Honestly, Kiran and gotta work dupattas have made desi weddings colorful and fun once again. What is a wedding or a wedding outfit without some Kiran and gotta work? Gotta work can be done on net, chiffon, silk, or any other fabric for that matter, and it will look as beautiful as ever. Although, this work of art only looks its best on net dupattas. Even the most simple suit can be glammed up with a gotta work dupatta.

↓ 01 – Dupattas With Borders

Tassels are the new cool these days. Tassel shirts, tassel earrings, and tassel dupattas. You can buy any plain dupatta and add tassels by your self, or you can buy already made dupattas with tassels, it works both ways as long as it has tassels. The new lawn collection suits and dupattas are now coming with already attached tassels. They look chic and cute on colorful floral embroidered and printed shalwar kameez outfits. Stock up your wardrobe with tassel dupattas for this lawn season, as you don’t want to be left hanging out of the fashion statement of the year, pun intended. You can sew them tassels to your dupattas at home quickly as well.

There are of course, many other types of dupatta borders that you can go for. One of the latest trends is of a triangular dupatta border which looks both unique and exquisite.