The most common style of draping a sari is wrapped around the waist and the bust 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.

Some of the styles are:

North India : Also described below as the "Modern Style", it is the most common way of wearing a sari (shown in the image of the air hostess) is 1 circle around the waist, pleats, half a cirlce more, with the loose end or "Pallu" going over the left shoulder. The North Indian Style refers to the drape common to Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Bihar, Uttrakhand States.

Variations of the North Indian Style:

1. In the north the Pallu may also be then draped again over the right shoulder or over the head and over the right shoulder. although this is done more as a sign of respect for elders.

The drape over head is thought to be a muslim influence brought about by intermingling cultures which was more pervasive due to invasions in the North.

2. Over the shoulder and under the right arm (as shown in the picture with the yellow sari below)

Nivi – styles originally worn in Tamil Nadu; 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.

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.

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. They are primarily worn by Brahmin women of Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.