In Eastern fashion, dupattas are a vital component, often paired with Kurtas and Shalwar Kameez. This versatile piece is a staple in countries like India and Pakistan, where modest fashion reigns supreme. The variety of designs and fabrics available makes each dupatta unique and captivating. Chiffon and silk fabrics adorned with digital prints are particularly popular, while lawn fabric dupattas feature intricate laces and tassels.
As these pieces are an integral part of our daily wardrobe, it’s common to accumulate a sizable collection. Instead of allowing them to languish in your closet, breathe new life into them by reimagining their uses. Contrast the dupatta with a different coloured outfit or repurpose it as a decorative element on a shirt. Not only do these creative approaches save you space and money, but they also ensure that your dupattas remain relevant to current fashion trends.
How To Reuse Your Old Dupatta?
When it comes to styling your outfits, there are several key elements to keep in mind. First and foremost, consider the type of fabric you’re working with and choose designs that complement its texture and pattern. To really make your outfit pop, incorporate current fashion trends and create a youthful look that’s both fun and playful. Accessories can also be a great way to add some extra flair – try adding a belt or getting creative with hair accessories like knot hairbands.
If you want to take it to the next level, consider blending different styles together for an Indo-western look that’s uniquely yours. And don’t forget about upcycling old pieces into something new and exciting – a fancy, embroidered dupatta can be transformed into multiple stylish looks.
↓ 22. Quirky Summer Top
Elevate your summer wardrobe with this striking black and white top featuring tie-up sleeves. Its versatility makes it perfect for both casual everyday wear and dressing up for travel. If you have an old lawn dupatta collecting dust, consider repurposing it into a unique top design. Simply cut out the fabric to create the top’s silhouette, then use the leftover pieces to add a playful touch by stitching them onto the sleeves.
Style your new creation with either flowy skirts or distressed denim for a comfortable yet stylish look.
↓ 21. Dupatta Cape
Struggling to decide on what to wear to a wedding? Transform an embroidered dupatta into a stunning cape dress, just like this showstopper. With capes having been in fashion since 2017, incorporating Eastern flair, this creative upcycle is more relevant than ever. Not only will you create a unique outfit, but you’ll also breathe new life into your bridal wardrobe, rescuing those often-overlooked pieces from the depths of your closet.
By repurposing an existing dupatta, you’ll save time and money that would’ve been spent sourcing the perfect fabric and embroidery for a dress like this. So why not get creative and give this look a try?
↓ 20. Saree Blouse
We love the vibrant combination of blue, yellow, and rust in this outfit. Want to give your traditional saree a modern twist? Simply swap out the blouse for a fresh new one that showcases different prints and colors. This not only updates your look but also allows you to reuse the blouse with another saree, creating multiple outfits from just two pieces. You can even breathe new life into mom’s vintage sarees by pairing them with trendy blouses like this one.
In fact, we recommend exploring new saree blouse designs, like those featured in 30 New Saree Blouse Designs 2019 That You Must Try.
↓ 19. Recycle Old Dupatta Into Shrug
↓ 18. Saree Drape
The Saree Pants-like drape is actually a Dupatta, cleverly designed for formal events with a unique flair. By tucking it at the right side, it wraps around the back before being worn as a front-facing Saree. In this instance, the creator opted for a vibrant tie-dye dupatta in yellow and white hues that harmoniously complemented her white pants and yellow blouse.
↓ 17. How to Wear Your Mom’s Dupatta
The news of Sridevi’s untimely passing sent shockwaves throughout the industry and beyond. The sudden loss was met with widespread grief, leading many to wonder if Janhvi Kapoor would be able to carry on her mother’s legacy. Amidst the emotional turmoil, a different kind of concern emerged: how stunning does Janhvi look wearing her mom’s dupatta?
It’s not just the dupatta itself that caught our attention, but also the thoughtful choice to pair it with a crisp white kurta instead of opting for a contrasting hue. If you’re like many people who struggle to part with sentimental items, especially those imbued with emotional value, here’s how to creatively repurpose them.
↓ 16. One Dupatta in Two Ways
Veronica’s latest masterpiece is another stunning creation made from a blue net dupatta. What’s impressive about this piece is that it doesn’t require any sewing, making it a versatile and practical option. We’re particularly fond of the way the wrap’s border adds a touch of elegance to the design, which is often lacking in modern tops. The best part? You can use this same wrap to create multiple outfits without compromising its integrity.
↓ 15. Swimwear Cover Up
For those seeking an affordable yet stylish bikini cover-up solution, consider repurposing a regular stole or wrap. By tying one end around your neck, you’ll create a chic turtleneck effect. Secure the other end around your back to keep everything in place, and voilà! You’ve got a fashionable and functional cover-up that’s sure to turn heads.
↓ 14. DIY Dupatta Dress
Imagine this stunning blue chiffon dress draped elegantly over a crisp white shirt adorned with exquisite neck embroidery. The initial impression is that of a silver necklace, which harmoniously complements the overall look. Interestingly, the crepe fabric used in the dress has traditional roots as wraps and dupattas. If you happen to have one lying unused, consider giving it new life by repurposing it in this creative way.
This versatile dress makes for an excellent party outfit that can be styled further with a blazer or shrug. For added flair, swap out the shirt for silver jewelry or experiment with pins and a belt to achieve the desired look without having to get it stitched.
↓ 13. How To Make Palazzo Pants From Old Dupatta
↓ 12. Old Dupatta Reuse
The tradition of honoring family heritage by incorporating sentimental pieces into one’s own wedding attire is not unique to any culture or region. The concept has been beautifully executed globally, with many brides opting to wear their ancestral wedding gowns on their own special day. In India, for instance, Isha Ambani’s decision to wear her mother’s Chunari at her wedding was a lovely nod to her family’s history.
Similarly, Kareena Kapoor Khan chose to don her mother-in-law Sharmila Tagore’s wedding outfit on her own big day. However, what if you want to pay tribute to your heritage without repeating the exact same look? One way to do so is by incorporating small elements from a meaningful piece into your overall ensemble, as Isha did by adding a pop of red with her mother’s wedding dupatta.
↓ 11. Kimono
Two innovative ways to transform a wrap or stole into a kimono-inspired or wide-neck top design have caught our attention. The first method involves sewing buttons along the length of the piece, creating a unique fusion between a cape and a traditional kimono. Alternatively, you can stitch buttons onto the sleeves for a trendy look that’s reminiscent of a poncho. We’re particularly fond of the arm slits, which give the overall design a poncho-like quality.
Both styles are perfect for hot summer days and could even be worn to your next exotic travel destination. To help you make the most of this style, we’ve compiled 20 ways to elevate your kimono outfits.
↓ 10. Dupatta Turned Into Shirt
Veronica Andrad, a fashion-conscious student, has a unique knack for transforming vintage fabrics into stylish pieces. Her latest creation, a chic top crafted from an old tie-dye dupatta, is a masterclass in upcycling. Paired with black pants, the beige and orange combination creates a striking ensemble that’s not only budget-friendly but also visually appealing.
This look is also surprisingly versatile and could be easily paired with shawars, as showcased in our comprehensive guide, 18 Best Ways to Wear Patiala Shalwar.
↓ 9. Embellished Skirt
The moment we laid eyes on the Shivan and Narresh skirt, our minds immediately went back to the potential of upcycling an embellished dupatta. If you’re holding onto a heavily embroidered piece in your wardrobe that you’d love to reimagine, this tutorial will walk you through the process. Not only can it be reworked into a unique creation, but it could also make for a stunning bohemian-inspired look for your honeymoon.
To give it new life, consider pairing it with a crop top or a full-sleeved gold blouse – the possibilities are endless.
↓ 8. Cropped Skirt
In the world of South Asian fashion, Banarasi fabrics hold a special place. These exquisite textiles are not only used for traditional garments like sarees and dupattas but also offer endless possibilities for creative reuse. One innovative approach is to transform these vibrant fabrics into modern skirts, ranging from short and playful to long and elegant.
The versatility of dupatta fabric, which often measures over 2 meters in length, makes it an ideal material for crafting cropped skirts that can be paired with trendy tops and a dash of contemporary flair.
↓ 7. Phulkari Pants
Phulkari, a traditional type of thread embroidery, has made a resurgence in popularity over the past few years. This revival has seen beautifully embroidered Phulkari dupattas being sported by celebrities and fashion enthusiasts alike. Building on this trend, we’re now seeing Phulkari trousers, also known as shalwars, emerge as the new ‘it’ style. These versatile pants can be paired with an Indian Chikankari kurta to create a chic casual or formal look, depending on how they’re styled.
↓ 6. Use It As A Stylish Scarf Or Jacket
Discover the unexpected beauty of layering! You can easily upgrade your outfit game by draping a dupatta over shorts and securing it with a belt – we’re talking effortless style, people! The combination of bold colors like blue and white adds a fresh twist to this Indo-Western fusion look. It’s amazing how something as simple as wrapping a dupatta around your waist can elevate the overall aesthetic.
↓ 5. Gorgeous Pink Wrap-Dress
One of our go-to ensembles that effortlessly blends the essence of a dress and a jumpsuit is when you wrap an old dupatta around your body, securing it with a statement belt. The result is a glamorous look that exudes style and sophistication. To complete the outfit, pair the dupatta with tights, tribal earrings, and matching stilettos for a look that’s both chic and timeless.
We’re not alone in our admiration for this ensemble – celebrities and fashion connoisseurs alike have been spotted wearing similar outfits, making it a true testament to its enduring appeal.
↓ 4. Summer Look
Imagine a charming, laid-back ensemble that embodies the essence of Summer at the beach. A flowy bohemian-inspired top and skirt combo is the perfect way to achieve this effortless look. You can easily recreate this stylish outfit by upcycling old dupattas into matching pieces. Simply let your creativity run wild and transform these discarded materials into a unique, one-of-a-kind set that’s sure to make you stand out in the sun.
↓ 3. Crop Top
This bohemian-inspired chic crop top embodies the perfect summer look, versatility being its greatest strength. Crafted from silk, cotton, or chiffon fabrics, it can be paired with a flowy skirt, high-waisted jeans, or shorts to create a youthful, effortless vibe. For those familiar with tailoring, creating this adorable top from an old dupatta is a feasible DIY project. Alternatively, you can entrust the task to a skilled tailor.
The possibilities for styling are endless, especially when paired with summer sandals and chunky accessories. To incorporate the crop top into your desi or modest wardrobe, simply pair it with a skirt or lehenga, high-waisted pants, or even distressed denim jeans. Be sure to explore 25 Cute Ways to Wear Crop Tops This Season for inspiration.
↓ 2. Romper Style
We’re swooning over this adorable romper perfect for scorching summer days! The bold colour palette and flared sleeves make it a showstopper. Plus, its short length makes it an effortless DIY project – simply grab some printed lawn or cotton fabric and you’re good to go. It’s also an excellent choice for your next beach vacation or casual outing. If you prefer a longer, jumpsuit-inspired look, just pair two separate wraps together and voilà! You’ll be rocking the perfect summer ensemble.
↓ 1. Saree Pants
When we first laid eyes on Mahira Khan strutting through New York streets in her stunning Sana Safinaz ensemble, we were immediately captivated. The ‘Saree Pants’ outfit has gained popularity among celebrities, but with a twist – instead of wearing a traditional saree, the design features a similar drape worn over pants. The vibrant colours, intricate prints, and ethereal fabric come together to create a truly tasteful look.
If you’re looking to recreate Mahira’s iconic style, try pairing a bold and colourful silk dupatta with your own pair of pants for an unforgettable moment.