Hairstyle for Saree: 24 Open, Front, Bun and Braid Looks
24 looks Wedding and occasions Updated 8 Oct 2026
A good hairstyle for saree depends on three things: the fabric, the neckline and how long you will wear it. A light georgette loves soft open hair. A heavy silk or Banarasi drape looks right with a neat bun or a long braid.
Every look below is shown from the back, so you can see the pinning and the shape. Each card lists the hair length it needs, the face shapes it suits and how long it takes at home. Show the picture to your stylist, or follow the note and do it yourself.
Going to a bigger function? See our bridal and wedding hairstyles. Wearing a lehenga instead? Try the lehenga hairstyle page.
Open Hairstyle with Saree
Open hair works best with light sarees and evening events. Add a small pinned detail at the back so the hair stays neat through the day.
- Hair
- Long, straight or wavy
- Best for
- Oval, long faces
- Upkeep
- 20 min, 4 bobby pins
Loose waves with two thin twists pinned at the crown. It keeps hair off the face but still looks open.
Stylist note: Curl in large sections after heat protectant, then twist two side pieces and pin them crossed at the back.
- Hair
- Medium to long, straight
- Best for
- Round, heart faces
- Upkeep
- 15 min with flat iron
Sleek straight hair with a clean centre part. This is a simple hairstyle for saree that suits office events and pujas.
Stylist note: Use heat protectant, flat iron in small sections, then smooth a drop of serum over the lengths.
- Hair
- Long, thick, any texture
- Best for
- Oval, square faces
- Upkeep
- 25 min, 6 pins
All the curls go over one shoulder with small white flowers pinned along the side. Lovely for haldi or a daytime function.
Stylist note: Pin the hair behind one ear in a hidden criss-cross line, then tuck small flowers into the pins.
- Hair
- Long, medium thickness
- Best for
- Round, oval faces
- Upkeep
- 30 min, comb and pins
A small crown puff gives height that balances a heavy silk drape. Big waves keep it grand without a bun.
Stylist note: Backcomb the crown lightly, smooth the top layer, pin a small puff, then curl the lengths away from the face.
Front Hairstyle for Saree
The front is what people see first. A twisted or puffed front section frames the face and keeps hair out of your eyes while the back stays open or tied.
- Hair
- Medium to long, any
- Best for
- Round, oval faces
- Upkeep
- 15 min, 4 bobby pins
Both front sections are rope-twisted and pinned at the back. A clean, modern trendy hairstyle for saree that lasts all evening.
Stylist note: Take two front sections, rope twist each away from the face and pin them where they meet.
- Hair
- Medium, straight
- Best for
- Long, oval faces
- Upkeep
- 15 min, comb and pins
A deep side part with a soft puff on one side. Good for long faces because the puff sits at the side, not on top.
Stylist note: Part deep on one side, lightly backcomb the larger front section, smooth it over and pin behind the ear.
- Hair
- Long, straight or wavy
- Best for
- Heart, oval faces
- Upkeep
- 15 min, 2 pins
A small three-strand braid starts at the hairline and is pinned at the back over open hair. Simple and very neat.
Stylist note: From the parting, braid a thin front section toward the back and pin the end under the crown.
- Hair
- Long, thick or medium
- Best for
- Square, oval faces
- Upkeep
- 20 min, 1 elastic
The top half is tied into a small bun at the crown and the lower half stays in loose curls. Easy and youthful.
Stylist note: Tie the top half into a small twisted bun at the crown, pin it, then curl the lower half.
Bun Hairstyle for Saree
A bun is the safest choice for long events, heat and humidity. It shows off the blouse back and stays in place even with a heavy pallu. Our bun and juda hairstyle gallery has many more.
- Hair
- Medium to long, any
- Best for
- All face shapes
- Upkeep
- 20 min, 8 U-pins
A smooth low bun circled with a fresh gajra. The classic traditional hairstyle for saree for weddings and pujas.
Stylist note: Make a low ponytail, twist it into a round bun, pin it with U-pins and wrap the gajra twice.
- Hair
- Medium, wavy or straight
- Best for
- Oval, heart faces
- Upkeep
- 10 min, 6 pins
A loose, textured messy bun that looks relaxed and modern. Works on organza and printed sarees.
Stylist note: Curl the hair first, twist loosely into a low bun, pin it, then pull out small pieces for texture.
- Hair
- Medium to long, fine
- Best for
- Round, oval faces
- Upkeep
- 15 min, donut and pins
A high round bun made with a bun donut gives a tall, tidy shape. Good with a high neck blouse.
Stylist note: Tie a high ponytail, pull it through a bun donut, fan the hair over it and tuck the ends beneath with pins.
- Hair
- Long, thick
- Best for
- Square, long faces
- Upkeep
- 25 min, 10 U-pins
A low bun with a thin braid wrapped around it and a single rose on the side. Simple to do and photographs well.
Stylist note: Leave one section out, bun the rest low, braid the loose section and wrap it around the bun.
Braid Hairstyles for Saree
Braids look traditional and survive sweat and wind. A long choti with a saree is still one of the most loved looks. For more ideas see our braid and choti hairstyle page.
- Hair
- Long, thick
- Best for
- All face shapes
- Upkeep
- 20 min, 1 elastic, pins
One long braid with gajra pinned down the centre. It suits Kanjeevaram and Paithani sarees.
Stylist note: Braid firmly from the nape, secure the end, then pin the gajra down the middle of the braid.
- Hair
- Long, wavy
- Best for
- Oval, round faces
- Upkeep
- 15 min, 1 elastic
A loose fishtail braid over one shoulder with the edges pulled wide. Soft and modern for a cocktail saree.
Stylist note: Sweep hair to one side, fishtail braid it, then gently pull each loop outward for width.
- Hair
- Medium to long, any
- Best for
- Heart, long faces
- Upkeep
- 20 min, 1 small elastic
Two Dutch braids run back from the temples and join at the crown. The rest stays open in waves.
Stylist note: Dutch braid each side toward the back, join both braids with a small elastic and hide it with a pin.
- Hair
- Long, medium thickness
- Best for
- Round, oval faces
- Upkeep
- 20 min, paranda, pins
A small front puff with a long braid finished in a tasselled paranda. Great for a Navratri or Lohri saree.
Stylist note: Pin a light puff, then braid the paranda in from halfway down so the tassels hang at the end.
Party and Wedding Hairstyle with Saree
For receptions and sangeet nights, go for shape and shine. These looks take longer but stay put for hours if you set them with hairspray.
- Hair
- Long, medium thickness
- Best for
- Oval, heart faces
- Upkeep
- 30 min, 10 pins
A side chignon with small pearl pins. It sits away from the pallu and looks graceful in photos.
Stylist note: Ask for a low side chignon with rolled sections, set with hairspray and finished with pearl pins.
- Hair
- Long, thick
- Best for
- Round, square faces
- Upkeep
- 40 min, 15 U-pins
Twisted sections built into a rose shaped bun with small red flowers. Best for weddings and family functions.
Stylist note: Ask the stylist for a rose bun: twisted sections coiled and pinned, with small fresh flowers between them.
- Hair
- Long, straight or wavy
- Best for
- Oval, long faces
- Upkeep
- 35 min, curler
Deep side part with glossy, brushed out waves. A modern choice for a reception or a western style drape.
Stylist note: Curl all sections in one direction after heat protectant, then brush out into smooth waves and pin one side.
- Hair
- Long, any texture
- Best for
- Oval, heart faces
- Upkeep
- 15 min, 1 elastic
A high curled ponytail with the elastic hidden under a wrapped strand. Fun and practical for dancing at a sangeet.
Stylist note: Tie a high ponytail, wrap a thin strand around the elastic, pin it under, then curl the lengths.
Simple Hairstyle for Saree with Short Hair
Short hair can look just as festive. Use small pins, clips and side twists to give shape without forcing a bun that will not hold.
- Hair
- Short, straight bob
- Best for
- Round, square faces
- Upkeep
- 5 min, 1 clip
A shoulder length bob with one side pinned back using a pearl clip. Takes five minutes.
Stylist note: Blow dry the ends under with a round brush, then pin the heavier side back with a decorative clip.
- Hair
- Shoulder length, any
- Best for
- Oval, long faces
- Upkeep
- 15 min, 4 pins
A lob with small twists gathered at the crown and flat iron bends on the ends. Good for half saree functions too.
Stylist note: Twist small sections from both sides toward the crown and pin them, then add loose bends with a flat iron.
- Hair
- Shoulder length, thick
- Best for
- Heart, oval faces
- Upkeep
- 15 min, 8 pins
A tiny low bun works even on shoulder length hair. Small flowers around it make it look fuller.
Stylist note: Tie a low ponytail, twist and pin it into a small bun, then pin short loose ends flat around it.
- Hair
- Very short, straight
- Best for
- Oval, heart faces
- Upkeep
- 5 min, light wax
A short pixie brushed to one side and held with a single jewelled pin. Smart with a modern pre-draped saree.
Stylist note: Rub a pea-sized bit of light wax through, brush the top to one side and add one pin above the ear.
How to Pick a Hairstyle on Saree by Fabric and Neckline
| Saree or blouse | Best hairstyle |
|---|---|
| Silk, Banarasi, Kanjeevaram | Low bun with gajra, long choti, crown puff with waves |
| Georgette, chiffon, organza | Open waves, side swept curls, messy bun |
| Cotton or linen for office | Sleek open hair, low bun, side braid |
| Deep back or boat neck blouse | Any bun or updo to show the back |
| High neck blouse | High bun or high ponytail |
For a round face, add height at the crown. For a long face, keep volume at the sides and skip a tall puff. Heart faces look good with soft pieces near the jaw. More help is on our face shape hairstyle for women page.
Tips to Make Saree Hairstyles Last in Indian Weather
- Start on dry, day-old hair. Freshly washed hair is slippery and drops pins.
- Use heat protectant before every curl or flat iron pass.
- Pick the right pins. U-pins hold buns. Bobby pins hold twists. Use 2 more than you think you need.
- Humidity: curls fall fast in monsoon. Choose a bun or braid, or set curls with a light-hold hairspray.
- Fresh flowers are heavy. Pin the gajra into the bun, not just around it.
Extensions, a long bridal trial or many fresh flowers make a salon look cost more. Simple buns and braids are easy to do at home. For quick daily ideas, see our simple hairstyle page.
Common hairstyle questions
Which open hairstyle with saree looks best?
Soft waves with a small pinned twist at the back look best on most people. They keep hair off the face but still show length. Straight sleek hair with a centre part is a good simple option.
What is the best open hairstyle for silk saree?
Silk is heavy, so give the hair some height. A small puff at the crown with big waves balances the drape. Keep the hair to one side if the pallu sits on your shoulder.
Which bun hairstyle on saree is easiest at home?
A low round bun with U-pins is the easiest. Tie a low ponytail, twist it, wrap it round and pin it. Add a gajra or a single rose for a festive touch.
What is a simple hairstyle for saree with short hair?
Pin one side back with a clip, or twist two small sections to the crown. If your hair reaches the shoulders, a mini low bun with small flowers also works.
Which front hairstyle for saree suits a round face?
Choose a front with height, like a crown puff or twisted sections pinned high. Avoid flat centre parts with volume only at the cheeks.
How do I keep my saree hairstyle in place all day?
Style day-old hair, use enough pins and finish with a light-hold hairspray. In humid weather, braids and buns hold far better than open curls.
