The most dependable hairstyles for a saree are a low bun, a side braid and soft open waves. A bun shows off the blouse back and your earrings, a braid keeps hair clear of the pallu, and open waves suit soft, flowing fabrics such as chiffon. To choose between them, look at four things in this order: the back and neck of your blouse, where your pallu sits, the fabric, and how long you will be out. Below: fourteen hairstyles with short steps, then how to choose by neckline, face shape, hair length, drape, fabric and occasion, how to make a style last on a humid day, and how to wear a gajra, juda pins, combs and a matha patti without marking your saree.
At a glance
14hairstyles with simple steps, from a five minute claw clip to a gajra bun
Rightthe side to sweep open hair when your pallu is pinned on the left shoulder
4 to 6U-pins or bobby pins anchor most low buns for a long day
Lastwhen fresh flowers go in, just before you leave
Buns and Updos
Buns work with almost every blouse, keep hair off the pallu and hold through a long day. Each style below takes ten minutes or less once you have practised. You need a hair tie, a few bobby pins, some U-pins (the open, wavy pins that slide into a bun) and a comb.
Eight buns and updos, step by step
1
Classic low bunThe safe choice for any saree. Brush your hair back into a low ponytail at the nape and secure it. Twist the length, wind it around the base, and slide four to six U-pins in from the edge of the bun towards its centre. Best with deep back blouses, puja and most weddings.
2
Gajra bunA classic low bun finished with a jasmine or mogra strand. Make the bun first and pin it firmly. Wrap the gajra around the base once or twice and fix it with bobby pins crossed in an X every few centimetres. Add it just before you leave.
3
Messy low bunA looser, softer version for printed and everyday sarees. Pull hair into a low ponytail without combing it flat, twist loosely, wrap and pin, then tease out a few strands at the front. It suits a tie-back or backless blouse for an evening.
4
Sleek low bunPolished and good for office, interviews and crisp linen. Part your hair in the centre or to the side, smooth it with a little gel or cream, tie a tight low ponytail and coil it into a neat round bun. A fine-toothed comb keeps the sides flat.
5
Side-swept low bunSit the bun just behind one ear, usually the right, so it stays clear of a pallu pinned on the left shoulder. Gather hair to the side, tie it low, twist and pin. It shows a long earring on the open side.
6
High bun or top knotBrush everything up to the crown, tie it, twist and wind it into a bun, then pin. It adds height and keeps a high neck or collar blouse clear. Skip it if you will cover your head with the pallu.
7
French twistGather your hair at the back, twist it upwards into a vertical roll, tuck the ends in and pin along the seam. Dressy with a sleeveless blouse and a party chiffon.
8
Claw clip twistThe five minute office style. Twist hair up at the back, fold the ends over and close a medium claw clip across the twist. Easy to redo at your desk.
A low bun shows the whole earring, which is why our jewellery for saree guide pairs chandbalis and long jhumkas with a bun, and studs or short drops with open hair.
Braids, Ponytails and Open Hair
If a bun feels too formal, these six keep some length on show. Braids and ponytails outlast open hair on a long or humid day.
Six braids, ponytails and open styles
1
Side braidGather your hair over the right shoulder, plait it loosely and tie the end. Pull the outer edges of the braid gently to widen it. It keeps hair off the pallu and works with haldi, mehendi and casual cotton sarees.
2
Fishtail braidSplit hair into two sections and cross a thin strand from the outside of one section to the inside of the other, alternating sides, down to the end. Wear it to the side for a mehendi or a day function.
3
Long braid with flowersA single plait down the back, with a jasmine strand laid along it or wound around the top. Many South Indian families wear it for puja, festivals and weddings.
4
Sleek low ponytailPart your hair, smooth it back and tie a low ponytail. Wrap a small section around the elastic to hide it and pin underneath. It is polished enough for a cocktail party and simple enough for the office.
5
Half-up, half-downTake two front sections, twist each back and pin them together at the crown, leaving the rest open. It keeps hair off your face while showing length, and suits farewells and day weddings.
6
Open soft wavesCurl large sections away from your face, let them cool, then break them up with your fingers. Sweep the waves to the right if your pallu is pinned on the left. Best with chiffon, a V-neck or a sweetheart blouse, for an evening indoors.
Hairstyle by Blouse Neckline
A beautiful back or a high collar disappears under open hair, and a deep V can look unfinished with a severe bun. Choose the blouse first, then let your hair frame it.
Match your hair to the blouse
Neckline or backHairstyleWhy
Boat neckLow bun, sleek ponytail or a French twistShows the wide line across the collarbone; open hair hides it.
High neck, collar or mandarinHigh bun, top knot or sleek ponytailThe neck needs space. Open hair crowds a collar and catches on it.
Deep back or backlessLow bun set slightly to one side, or a side braid brought over the frontKeeps the back on show. Hair across it hides the cut.
Tie-back with a doriLow bun above the tie, or a braid over one shoulderOpen hair tangles with the tassels and pulls the knot loose.
Deep U or roundAlmost anything: open waves, half-up, a low bunThe most forgiving shape; let the occasion decide.
V-neck or sweetheartOpen waves, half-up or a side braidSoft lengths echo the line of the neck.
Sleeveless or halterUpdo, sleek ponytail or a side-swept bunBalances bare shoulders. With a halter, keep the bun clear of the tie.
For the blouse shapes themselves, see our guide to saree blouse neck designs. Before you leave, check in a mirror that the whole back of the blouse shows and no hair is caught in the hooks.
Hairstyle by Face Shape
Face shape is a gentle guide, not a rule; the style you feel comfortable in will always look better than one picked from a chart. Many stylists suggest balancing the face: height for a round face, width for a long one and softness at the jaw for a square or heart shape.
A starting point by face shape
Face shapeOften flatteringGo easy on
RoundA high bun or top knot, a side parting, waves that fall past the chinFlat, centre-parted styles with fullness at the cheeks
OvalMost styles, from a sleek bun to open wavesVery high volume that lengthens the face further
SquareSoft waves, a side-swept bun, braids with a few loose strands at the frontA severe, scraped-back bun with a hard centre parting
HeartA low bun at the nape, half-up with waves at jaw levelA lot of volume at the crown
LongSide volume, waves, a side-swept low bun, a fringe if you have oneA tall top knot that adds more height
Earrings follow the same logic, and our jewellery guide has a matching table of earrings by face shape and hairstyle. If you want a softer, fresher look, a few loose strands at the front or a half-up style usually reads lighter than a tightly scraped bun; our guide on how to look younger in a saree has more ideas.
Short, Medium and Long Hair
You do not need long hair to wear a saree well: a neat bob with a side parting and good earrings looks finished with any drape. Length only changes which styles are possible and what goes in your kit.
Hairstyles by hair length
Hair lengthStyles that workWhat you need
Pixie or short cropSleek side parting, a jewelled clip or a small flower pin above one earA little cream or gel, two bobby pins
Bob or chin lengthSleek tucked bob, twisted front sections, a small half-up, soft bendsBobby pins, a mini claw clip, a flat iron if you use one
Lob or shoulder lengthSmall low bun, half-up twist, low ponytail, side braid, soft wavesHair ties, U-pins, a bun donut if your hair is fine
Long, past the shouldersEvery style in this guide, including the gajra bun and long braidU-pins, crossed bobby pins and a strong elastic for the weight
Three styles for short hair
Short hair with a saree
1
Sleek tucked bobMake a deep side parting. Smooth the heavier side behind your ear and hold it with two bobby pins crossed in an X. It shows off a statement earring.
2
Twisted front sectionsTake a small section at each temple, twist it back towards the crown and pin it. The rest stays loose. It keeps hair off your face when you bend to touch elders’ feet or eat at a wedding.
3
Flower behind the earPin a short gajra strand or a single flower above one ear, on a twisted section, or on a thin, clear elastic headband. It gives a short bob the festive feel of a gajra bun.
If a shoulder length bun looks thin, wrap it around a bun donut in your hair colour. Long, heavy hair needs the most anchoring: a strong elastic first, then U-pins, or the weight drags the bun loose by evening.
Hairstyle by Drape and Pallu
Where the pallu sits decides where your hair can go. In the everyday Nivi drape the pallu is pinned on the left shoulder, so hair on that side can catch on the pin and hide the pleats. Sweep open hair or a braid to the right, or tie it up. Our guide on how to pin a saree shows where the shoulder pin goes, and the saree draping styles guide covers the drapes below.
Match your hair to the drape
Drape or palluHairstyleWhy
Pleated pallu pinned on the left shoulderLow bun, or open hair and braids swept to the rightHair stays clear of the shoulder pin and the pleats show.
Open, flowing pallu (typical with chiffon)Low bun, half-up, a side braid, or waves swept to the rightThe pallu moves freely; long open hair on the pallu side tangles with it in a breeze.
Pallu over the head, for puja or eldersA flat low bun or a braidSits under the pallu; a high bun lifts it and makes it slip.
Pallu wrapped around the shouldersLow bun or a ponytailOpen hair gets trapped under the wrap and pulls every time you turn.
Bengali drape, pallu brought over the right shoulderLow bun, often with flowersThe pallu crosses both shoulders, so hair is best kept up; see our Bengali saree look.
Neat office drape, narrow pinned palluClaw clip twist, sleek low bun or low ponytailNothing to catch on a laptop bag strap or a lanyard.
Good to know
Do your hair before you drape. Once the shoulder pin is set, check the pallu side in the mirror. If a strand is caught under the pin or the pleats are hidden, move your hair to the other side before you add flowers.
Hairstyle by Saree Fabric
Hair looks best when it follows the fabric: a loose, fluid style with a fluid drape, a structured bun with a saree that holds its shape.
Soft fabric or crisp fabric
Soft: mul cotton, mul modal, chiffonCrisp: linen, tissue, jamdani
How it drapesFalls close to the body and moves as you walkHolds pleats and a crisp edge; stands slightly away
Hair that suitsSoft waves, a loose braid, a messy bun, half-upSleek low bun, gajra bun, sleek ponytail
Chiffon is the fabric that most rewards open hair: Juliet and our other pure chiffon sarees are light and fluid, so soft waves move with the drape. If you leave the pallu open, sweep the waves to the right or go half-up so they do not tangle with it. Browse our chiffon sarees. That lightness also means a rough juda pin or gajra wire can catch the weave, so keep accessories smooth and away from the pallu.
When the saree has surface work
ZariOpen hair rubs against zari all day and can snag on it. Tie your hair up and let the zari show, as with Manjari, red stripes with zari.
EmbroideryGajra threads and loose strands catch on raised embroidery. A low bun keeps them apart, as with Mauve Kiss, pink embroidered mul cotton with zari.
SequinsSequins catch hair. With Blue De France, blue mul cotton with sequins, wear a sleek bun or ponytail.
Hairstyles by Occasion
The occasion decides how long the style must last and how much it can carry.
What to wear where
Office and interviews
Blue, brown
Wedding guest
Pink, yellow, maroon
A gajra bun or a side-swept low bun for the ceremony; soft waves for an indoor reception. Try
Mauve Kiss in pink,
Miss Earth, yellow handloom cotton tissue with embroidery and zari, or
Vintage Wine, a maroon floral chiffon with hand embroidery.
Puja and temple
White, red
A low bun or a braid, with flowers if you like. Many families prefer tied hair or a covered head for puja, so follow your family or temple custom. Try
Kamakshi, white with a red border and gold zari, or
Devi, white mul cotton with gold and red detailing.
Party or cocktail
Black, royal blue
College farewell
Pink, white
Half-up or soft waves for the photos; switch to a low bun or a braid if you plan to dance. Try
Elysia in pink pure chiffon or
Moonlit Pearl, white polka dot mul modal.
Haldi and mehendi
Yellow, green
A side braid, a fishtail or a bun with fresh flowers. Open hair catches turmeric paste, and a braid keeps hair off wet henna. Try
Harvest Sun in yellow gingham or
Spring Fern in green gingham, both mul cotton.
For the full outfit, see our guides to wedding guest saree looks, a saree for a farewell party, the pooja saree, the haldi saree and the mehendi saree. With a Kerala kasavu saree, a jasmine braid or bun is the classic pairing; our Onam saree guide covers that look.
Humid Days and Keeping It in Place
A saree day is often long: a ceremony, a meal, photos, travel. Most styles fail for the same few reasons, all easy to fix.
How to make a saree hairstyle last
1
Start with hair that gripsFreshly washed, silky hair lets pins slide out. Style it the day after washing, or add a little dry shampoo or texturising spray at the roots first.
2
Protect before heatIf you curl or straighten, use a heat protectant first and let each section cool before you touch it.
3
Tie first, pin secondSecure every bun and ponytail with an elastic. Pins hold the shape; the elastic takes the weight.
4
Cross your pinsTwo bobby pins crossed in an X hold far better than one. Slide U-pins in from the edge of the bun towards its centre.
5
Hair before the sareeFinish your hair and mist a light hairspray before you drape, so you do not crush the pleats or pallu and the spray lands on your hair, not the fabric.
6
Jewellery, then flowersAfter draping and pinning, put on your jewellery, then add the gajra, comb or juda pin last, just before you leave.
Hair in the heat
On humid and monsoon days
✓Braids and buns, which hold their shape when the air is damp
✓A few drops of anti-frizz serum on the lengths, not the roots
✓Waves pinned into a half-up, so they keep some shape
✓Hair tied before you step out into the heat
Better skipped
✕Tight, heavy curls, which tend to drop and frizz in humidity
✕Lots of product at the scalp
✕Open hair for an outdoor day function
✕Fresh flowers left in the sun for hours
Your hair kit for the day
Six bobby pins and two U-pins in a small pouch.
A spare hair tie and a small claw clip as a back-up style.
Two spare safety pins for the saree; our pinning guide shows where they go.
A tissue to wrap a wilted gajra, so it does not touch the saree.
Gajra, Juda Pins, Combs and Matha Patti
Accessories turn a simple bun into a festive look. Each needs a particular hairstyle, and a few need care around light fabrics.
Hair accessories and what they need
Gajra or veniA strand of fresh flowers, usually jasmine. It is called gajra in Hindi and Marathi and veni in Marathi and Gujarati; in Tamil and Kannada, jasmine itself is malli and mallige. Needs a bun or a braid.
KanakambaramOrange crossandra flowers, aboli in Marathi, often worn in the South for daytime functions, alone or with jasmine.
Juda pins and sticksDecorative pins or sticks slid through a bun. Choose smooth, rounded ends, and keep them away from chiffon and jamdani.
CombsA decorative comb pushed into the top or side of a bun. A good way to dress up a low bun without flowers.
Matha patti and maang tikkaHead jewellery that sits on the parting. Usually worn by brides and close family, and easiest with a centre parting and a sleek low bun.
How to wear a fresh gajra
Gajra, step by step
1
Buy tight strandsPick a tightly strung strand whose buds are still slightly closed, so they open through the day.
2
Keep it coolWrap it in a lightly damp cloth until you are ready. Roll it gently between your palms to fluff the buds.
3
Pin it lastFresh flowers can wilt and darken within a few hours in the heat, so put the gajra on just before you leave.
4
Anchor itFix it with bobby pins crossed in an X every few centimetres, or pin it first to a thin, clear elastic headband and slide the band in.
5
Keep it off the sareeCheck the shoulder and the back of the blouse in the mirror so no petals rest on the fabric.
Good to know
Fresh flowers, their sap and their pollen can mark light fabrics such as white mul cotton and pastel chiffon, so keep the strand on your hair and away from the saree and blouse. Some people find strong scents make them sneeze; a single flower or an artificial strand is an easy swap. In most of India jasmine flowers mainly in the warmer months, so for a winter wedding fresh mogra can be harder to find or cost more, and many people use another flower or an artificial gajra instead.
Sarees in This Guide
Shop the sarees in this guide
Mauve KissPink mul cotton, embroidery and zariPair with Gold, ivory, mauve
Miss EarthYellow handloom cotton tissue, embroidery and zariPair with Gold, magenta, green
Vintage WineMaroon floral print chiffon, hand embroideredPair with Maroon, gold, black
KamakshiWhite mul cotton, red border, gold zariPair with Red, gold, white
NaplesYellow floral Dhakai jamdaniPair with Red, white, gold
The Go toWhite handloom linen, zari borderPair with Gold, black, rani pink
CalmLavender handloom linen, zari borderPair with Gold, silver, purple
JulietPink floral print pure chiffonPair with Pink, silver, white
NoxanaBlack floral print pure chiffonPair with Black, gold, red
AzuraRoyal blue floral print pure chiffonPair with Royal blue, silver, white
After DarkPlain black mul cottonPair with Red, white, gold
Mauve MelodyPlain pink mul modalPair with Pink, gold, white
Harvest SunYellow gingham mul cottonPair with White, magenta, bottle green
Corner OfficeChecked handloom linenPair with White, navy, red
Browse wedding sarees and festive wear sarees for gajra bun occasions, party wear sarees and chiffon sarees for open waves and evening styles, and office wear sarees for the claw clip days. To finish the look, read our jewellery for saree guide, footwear for saree and the saree accessories guide.
Questions People Ask
What is the most popular hairstyle for a saree?
The low bun at the nape. It suits almost every blouse and drape, shows off earrings, and lasts all day; add a gajra for a festive version.
Can I wear my hair open with a saree?
Yes. Open hair looks best with chiffon and a V-neck or sweetheart blouse; sweep it to the right if your pallu is pinned on the left shoulder. For a long or humid day, a braid or bun holds better.
What hairstyle suits a saree for a wedding?
A gajra bun or a side-swept low bun for the ceremony, and soft waves or a sleek low ponytail for an indoor reception. If your blouse has a deep back, keep your hair up.
What hairstyle is best for a saree with short hair?
A sleek tucked bob with a deep side parting, twisted front sections, or a flower pinned behind one ear. Shoulder length hair can manage a small low bun or a half-up twist.
Should I put flowers in my hair with a saree?
Only if you like them; they are a tradition, not a rule. Add them last, pin them firmly, and keep them off the saree, since fresh flowers can mark light fabric.
Which hairstyle suits a zari or tissue saree?
Keep the hair simple and structured: a sleek low bun or a classic gajra bun. A saree with sheen and zari needs less from your hair, and tied hair will not snag on the zari.
How do I make my saree hairstyle last all day?
Tie it with an elastic first, then pin with crossed bobby pins or U-pins, and mist a light hairspray before you drape. Braids and buns outlast open hair.
Can I wear open hair for a puja?
Many families prefer tied hair or a covered head for puja, so a low bun or a braid is the safe choice. Follow your family or temple custom.
Which saree hairstyle suits a round face?
Many stylists suggest height at the crown, such as a high bun, or a side parting with waves past the chin. Treat it as a starting point and go with what you feel good in.
How do I pin a gajra so it does not fall?
Make the bun or braid first, then fix the gajra with bobby pins crossed in an X every few centimetres. Pinning it to a clear elastic headband first also helps.
