What’s behind the rise of pre-draped sarees in India

A dramatic revolution is unfolding in the realm of sarees.
The saree, a timeless symbol of Indian heritage and versatility, no longer demands the wearer’s patience to carefully wrap it around the body, create precise pleats, and perfectly drape the pallu before stepping out to slay. Mind you, this is in India, the country where saree-draping styles change with every region.
Enter pre-draped sarees, or pre-stitched sarees – an innovative sartorial offering that aims to eliminate the ‘hassles’ of draping and carrying the traditional garment. From the local tailor shop in the vicinity to the top designer stores across the country, pre-draped sarees are making their strong presence felt across India’s vast fashion landscape, and emerging as a distinctive apparel category.

Suhana Khan in an experimental pre-stitched saree by Falguni Shane Peacock.

As the name suggests, a pre-draped saree is pre-pleated and ready to wear. You simply slip into it like a skirt, flip the pallu over your shoulder, and you’re good to go! Youngsters – Gen Z and millennials – are especially drawn to these sarees that look festive and feel effortless, without requiring the meticulous craft of draping.
The range of pre-draped sarees is as diverse as the versatility of this traditional attire. From elaborate bridal designs to minimalistic chiffon sarees and bold, experimental numbers that scream edgy drama, the options cater to every preference and occasion. So does the price range.

Pre-stitched sarees on the online shopping platform Myntra.

On online platforms like Myntra and Amazon, one can easily purchase a pre-draped saree for under ₹2,000. Top designers like Amit Aggarwal, Tarun Tahiliani, Jayanti Reddy, Anita Dongre, and others have also been capitalising on the growing demand for pre-stitched sarees.

Shilpa Shetty in Tanieya Khanuja

The rise of pre-draped sarees can be attributed to their practicality. Delhi-based fashion designer Nitika Gujral, who has been in the industry for four decades, says young urban dwellers are at the forefront of this trend.
“Young women today lead fast-paced lives and often lack the time or experience to master the art of traditional saree draping. The pre-draped saree eliminates the need for assistance or a trip to the parlour for draping, offering both convenience and style in a single piece,” says Sahib Bhatia, creative director and co-founder of the label Amaare.
Rahul Khanna of the Delhi-based designer label Rohit Gandhi & Rahul Khanna echoes this sentiment, explaining that today’s women prioritise functionality without compromising on style.

Sanya Malhotra and Sobhita Dhulipala in pre-stitched sarees by designer-duo Rohit Gandhi & Rahul Khanna.

“Modern lifestyles demand quick and effortless fashion. I think the modern Indian woman is looking to buy stylish, functional, and versatile clothes. Pre-draped sarees tick all these boxes while offering the elegance of traditional wear with the ease of contemporary clothing,” says Khanna.
For working professionals and urban dwellers, pre-draped sarees have become indispensable. According to the founders of saree label Suta, Taniya and Sujata Biswas, the demand for ready-to-wear sarees is growing at a rate of 8–10% annually, particularly among busy millennials and Gen Z.
“Major demand comes from Tier 1 cities, with emerging interest from Tier 2 and 3 cities. This category is growing at a CAGR of 8–10%. The rising demand is not only from women who don’t know how to drape a saree but also from working women seeking convenience and time efficiency,” founders Taniya and Sujata Biswas explain.
Suta has embraced this trend by introducing a unique feature on their website, allowing customers to choose any saree and opt for a ready-to-wear customisation for an additional charge. The saree is tailored to the customer’s specific measurements, ensuring a perfect fit.

Suta now offers the option to transform any saree into a ready-to-wear piece for an additional fee.

This option is now also easily available at local boutiques.
“Many working women now prefer their sarees to be ready-to-wear. While they love sarees, they often struggle with draping them properly, and time constraints add to the challenge. As a result, they request pre-pleated sarees, which are not only easy to wear but also comfortable to carry,” shares Manisha Sharma, owner of Paridhaan Boutique in West Delhi.
“Even elderly women, who may find it difficult to manage sarees, increasingly opt for pre-draped versions, especially for heavy or embellished drapes meant for festivals or weddings. These ready-to-wear alterations can now be done by any local tailor at a cost of Rs 700–1,000,” Sharma adds.
But is draping a saree truly a challenging or time-consuming task? Ask a saree aficionado, and they’ll tell you it’s a one-minute job. They’ll also proudly claim they can run, work, jump, and live in a saree effortlessly – something millennials and Gen Zers may find hard to relate to.
The shift from daily saree wear to occasional usage has impacted draping skills.
Nitika Gujral notes, “Younger generations did not grow up wearing sarees as daily wear or school uniforms. Most youngsters haven’t learnt to drape them and rely on older generations for help.”

Banarasi draped sarees by Amit Aggarwal.

“I believe this generational shift has certainly impacted familiarity with saree draping. As lifestyles evolve, daily wear has moved towards Western or fusion ensembles, leaving sarees primarily for celebrations. This reduced exposure, combined with the complexity of traditional draping, has led to a natural gap. So, I think with pre-draped sarees, we as designers are introducing the younger generation to the beauty of sarees in a way that feels relevant and accessible,” adds Rahul Khanna.
The rise of pre-draped sarees doesn’t translate to that, according to fashion professionals. In the homeland of this iconic garment, the saree will continue to be a symbol of enduring grace.
Despite their growing popularity, pre-draped sarees are not replacing traditional drapes. Instead, they coexist, offering a spectrum of choices for diverse lifestyles. “In places like South India and Bengal, traditional drapes remain cultural emblems,” says Suneet Varma.
Nitika Gujral agrees, saying that families in southern, eastern, and central India, along with states like Gujarat and Rajasthan, are still bastions of the conventional saree with their distinct weaves.

Stitched sarees by Seema Gujral (left), Saundh (centre) and Amaare (right)

Moreover, industry professionals believe that pre-draped sarees act as an entry point for many individuals new to wearing sarees. “Over time, they often transition to traditional draping styles. The larger trend is the collective desire to bring sarees back into everyday life,” say Suta founders. Sarabjit Saluja, founder of the ethnic wear label Saundh, agrees too.
“India is not forgetting the art of saree draping; instead, it is evolving how the saree is experienced. Pre-draped sarees cater to specific needs – ease, speed, and modern aesthetics – while the timeless charm of draping a saree continues to thrive in weddings, festivals, and everyday wear,” Saluja says.
Celebrity drape artist Dolly Jain, who detests the idea of a pre-draped saree in the first place, is firm that India will never forget the art of draping sarees.
“I can’t quite wrap my head around this concept [of pre-draped sarees]. I believe in showing people the countless ways to wear a saree, celebrating its versatility. Plus, a saree is a treasure we can pass down through generations. Imagine trying to fit a pre-stitched saree from a zero-figure generation onto someone who’s a little more voluptuous in the future! What if you add a few pounds or lose some? Then you’ve got a beautiful waste of fabric hanging sadly in the closet,” Jain remarks.
“The saree has been around for over 5,000 years and remains as popular and iconic as ever. It’s the only garment that has maintained its shape and size for centuries, and we should be incredibly proud of that,” she adds.
Pre-draped sarees may offer convenience and edginess to the six yards of drape, but the timelessness of a traditional saree remains unmatched.