How to Style Cotton Dupattas

Typically recognised as a long, unstitched piece of fabric, that completes traditional ensembles like the Ghagra choli or the Salwar Kameez, a dupatta has been the epitome of grace and modesty since ancient times. 

Also known as chunni or odhani, a dupatta had the potential to become an integral part of the modern woman’s wardrobe, thus, when the Indian fashion landscape began to shift, so did the role of the dupatta. 

From being used as a headdress in medieval times, to being included in men’s wardrobes during the Mughal reigns, and eventually becoming a fashion staple in the modern world, the dupatta has lived many lives. 

Today, it still upholds the imagery of modesty, and when styled correctly, a dupatta is your fashion accessory that can elevate many traditional outfits. 

This blog will take you through different ways you can complete an outfit with the help of a dupatta. 

Popular Types of Cotton Dupattas

The fashion industry is people-oriented. This means that to cater to a wide range of preferences, it will create variants of any type of clothing you can think of. Whether a skirt or a kurta, you will find hundreds of different styles, fabrics, designs, etc. for all categories. 

Whether you opt to buy dupatta online or straight from the shops, the same concept applies to them. From fabrics to designs, dupattas can be found in many styles, each with its own aura to help bring together a magnificent outfit. The most popular types are: 

Styling Banarasi Silk Dupattas

Wise men once said, that Banarasi silk is the epitome of luxury and tradition, and they were correct. 

Traditionally used only to make sarees, Banarasi silk took on the role of transforming the traditional fashion scenario with a touch of simplicity, when it was reimagined as a dupatta.

From Mughal-inspired motifs to intricate zari work and fabulous texture, Banarasi silk dupattas are every bit the most graceful addition to any ethnic outfit ever. 

To style these, find ones in exquisitely vibrant colours and designs. Let them shine as the showstopper by opting to pair them with contrastingly simpler and single-toned kurtas or kurtis. 

Styling Cotton Phulkari Dupattas

Phulkari is a traditional embroidery technique, brought to you straight from the vibrant workshops and skilled hands of the craftsmen in Punjab. 

One can never go wrong with a bright-coloured cotton dupatta with geometric patterns made using vibrant threads.

Phulkari dupattas are made with soft floss silk threads, coarse cotton, exquisite embroidery, and motifs representing village life and tales of tradition and heritage. An artistic legacy that leaves behind an elevated wardrobe collection of fashion excellence. 

Much like the Banarasi silk dupatta, a Phulkari one is a showstopper, and demands to be treated as one. Perfect when paired with pristine white kurtas, these look equally magnificent paired with solid-coloured ones which are contrasting and light. 

Styling Kalamkari Dupattas

Nothing embodies the essence of timelessness and tradition as well as manually created art. In this case, the handpainted or hand-block-printed motifs on cotton on silk dupattas, also known as Kalamkari dupattas, steal the show with their splendid beauty. 

Draping oneself in a cotton-printed dupatta is like letting traditional art pave your outfit's way to perfection. And that is what adding a Kalamkari dupatta to your ensemble does to it. 

Create a fusion style by pairing a kalamkari dupatta with a white T-shirt or shirt, for the ultimate glamorous look. 

Styling Pashmina Dupatta

The duo of cashmere wool sourced from the lofty peaks of the Himalayas and the craftsmanship of Kashmiri artists together bring the extraordinary creation of the Pashmina dupatta. 

A must-have staple for every woman, a Pashmina dupatta feels like a feather to touch but keeps you equally warm when the cold weather hits. 

Pashmina dupattas are best in lavender or powder blue colours and create a stunning modern ensemble when paired with trench coats and long thick jackets in winter. 

Kantha Stitch Embroidery Dupattas

Anything made with extensive labour and skilled craftsmanship creates masterpieces like the Kantha Stitch dupatta. 

Hailing from Bengal, this technique of embroidery on a dupatta is simple, yet intricate enough for the artists to be able to create mythological scenes, floral motifs, objects, and birds with it. 

Typically made on silk or cotton, a Kantha Stitch dupatta adds a touch of rustic charm to your outfits. Whether you shop for a cotton dupatta online or stumble upon a silk one offline, these dupattas are your perfect partner for daytime events, when paired with a simple suit set and added with traditional heirloom jewellery. 

Luxury Velvet Dupatta

Much like the Pashmina, a fundamentally wintry fabric, a velvet dupatta carries a world of possibilities when trying to add a luxurious touch to your ensemble. 

Soft to the touch, but sturdy enough to hold heavy embroidery, and other embellishment work, a velvet dupatta carries the charm of effortless lush and opulence. 

Rich and deep colours bring out the best in velvet dupattas. For example, find a maroon velvet dupatta with white embellishments and pair it with sarees as stoles, and do the one-shoulder dupatta drape for salwar kameez. 

Elegant Net Dupattas

Delicate strands of sheer fabric are brought together to create an exquisite sartorial experience that epitomises grace and elegance. This is how a net dupatta brings your outfit together, with its delicate allure and enchanting hues. 

A dupatta that you can find at the most reasonable prices, a net dupatta is a perfect canvas to showcase heavy embroidery or chunky motifs. 

Find a dazzling net dupatta that is a vibrant hue with lots of intricate details and pair it with a lehenga or an Anarkali for the wedding season commitments and add a touch of chic flair to your outfit. 

These are the most popular dupatta types that can elevate your wardrobe to new fashion heights.

At Kahva, we take the final touch of your outfits seriously. This is why apart from offering a wide and vibrant range of traditional clothing adorned with hand-block prints we also offer an exquisite range of cotton dupatta online shopping for your convenience.