11 Types of Silk Sarees Every Woman Should Own – From Kanjeevaram to Tussar
, by Regal Fabrics,
6 min reading time
Silk sarees are more than just traditional attire—they're woven legacies that celebrate India’s rich cultural heritage. From the luxurious Kanjeevaram to the artistic Kalamkari, explore 11 must-have silk sarees every woman should own. Discover their origins, weaving styles, and how to style them for timeless elegance.
Silk sarees are timeless pieces of art that capture the heritage, elegance, and craftsmanship of India. Whether it's for a wedding, a festive celebration, or a formal gathering, silk sarees elevate your style and presence with unmatched grace. But beyond the popular Kanjeevaram, there are many silk saree varieties every woman should know and own.
In this guide, we bring you 11 must-have silk sarees—each distinct in its origin, weave, and story. Let’s dive in.
1. Kanjeevaram Silk Saree – The Queen of Silks
Origin: Tamil Nadu Why Own It: Bold colors, rich zari work, and legendary durability. A bridal and festive staple.
Style Tip: Team with heavy gold jewelry and a contrast blouse for a classic South Indian look.
Kanjeevaram Silk – The Master Weave of Tamil Nadu
Kanjeevaram sareesare handwoven using pure mulberry silk threads. The specialty lies in interlocking the border and pallu separately—a technique that ensures the saree doesn’t tear easily even after years. Rich zari (gold or silver thread) work is woven with temple borders, floral vines, and mythical motifs, making each piece a regal masterpiece.
Weavers in Kanchipuram often use real silver dipped in gold for the zari work!
2. Banarasi Silk Saree – Mughal Elegance in Every Thread
Origin: Varanasi (Banaras) Why Own It: Opulent brocade, Mughal-inspired motifs, and luxurious sheen make it a wedding favorite.
Style Tip: Style with kundan jewelry and a sleek bun for a royal touch.
Banarasi Silk – Brocade Brilliance
Banarasi sarees use the brocade weaving technique, where patterns are created on the loom using supplementary weft technique with zari threads. It’s a time-intensive process, with some sarees taking up to 30 days to 6 months to weave.
Origin: Bihar, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh Why Own It: Earthy texture with natural golden sheen, often hand-painted or embroidered.
Style Tip: Perfect for artistic events and intimate gatherings. Go light on accessories.
Tussar Silk – Wild and Natural
Tussar silk is extracted from wild silkworms in forests. The weaving process often includes hand-spinning the silk yarn and weaving it on pit looms. Tussar’s coarse texture and dull golden hue are loved for their earthy appeal.
4. Mysore Silk Saree – Elegant Simplicity
Origin: Karnataka Why Own It: Lightweight, smooth, and glossy with minimal yet sophisticated zari borders.
Style Tip: Works beautifully for formal functions. Choose bold colors for a statement look.
Mysore Silk – Smooth and Lustrous
Woven from pure mulberry silk, Mysore silk sarees are known for their minimalistic borders and high gloss. The yarn is dyed before weaving, and the zari used is often real gold or silver.
5. Chanderi Silk Saree – Ethereal & Lightweight
Origin: Madhya Pradesh Why Own It: Sheer fabric, glossy finish, and traditional motifs make it ideal for summer wear.
Style Tip: Pair with statement earrings and soft makeup for daytime charm.
Chanderi Silk – Sheer Elegance
A blend of silk and cotton, Chanderi sarees are woven on traditional looms using extra weft technique to create motifs like peacocks, coins, and geometric patterns. The result is a lightweight, translucent fabric with a shiny finish.
6. Organza Silk Saree – Contemporary Elegance
Origin: Pan-India Why Own It: Sheer, crisp, and structured—organza silk sarees often feature delicate embroidery or floral prints.
Style Tip: Style with puff-sleeve or off-shoulder blouses for modern appeal.
Organza Silk – Airy and Crisp
Organza silk is a plain weave fabric made by tightly twisting silk fibers. It is known for its stiff, sheer texture, often enhanced with hand or machine embroidery after the weaving process.
7. Baluchari Silk Saree – Woven Stories of Mythology
Origin: West Bengal Why Own It: Intricate pallu designs depicting scenes from epics like Mahabharata and Ramayana.
Style Tip: Ideal for cultural or classical events. Drape in Bengali style for authenticity.
Baluchari Silk – Tales in Thread
Originating from West Bengal, Baluchari sarees are woven with motifs narrating epics, often in the pallu. The design is made using the jacquard loom technique, and weaving can take up to 15 days per saree.
8. Patola Silk Saree – Precision in Every Thread
Origin: Gujarat Why Own It: Double ikat technique and geometric patterns. Rare, vibrant, and prestigious.
Style Tip: Keep the saree as the highlight. Pair with simple gold jewelry.
Patola Silk – The Double Ikat Marvel
One of the most complex techniques, double ikat involves dyeing both the warp and weft threads before weaving. In Patola weaving, extreme precision ensures patterns align perfectly. Each saree can take 4 to 6 months to complete.
9. Uppada Silk Saree – Lightweight Grandeur
Origin: Andhra Pradesh Why Own It: Woven with fine threads, Uppada sarees are feather-light yet rich in look.
Style Tip: Drape it for weddings or cocktail parties. Metallic tones enhance evening wear.
Uppada Silk – Fine Handloom Weaving
Uppada sarees are made using Jamdhani weaving, where motifs are added by hand without a shuttle, making the saree ultra-light and luxurious. This handloom technique originated in a small village near Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh.
10. Raw Silk Saree – Raw Beauty with Texture
Origin: Woven across India Why Own It: Coarse, matte texture with an elegant fall—perfect for both festive and semi-formal occasions.
Style Tip: Pair with oxidized or tribal jewelry for a boho-traditional fusion look.
Raw Silk – Untamed Texture
Raw silk sarees are made from short-staple silk fibers, resulting in a slightly coarse and textured finish. Unlike smooth mulberry silk, raw silk is thicker, matte, and easier to weave with minimal finishing.
11. Kalamkari Silk Saree – Hand-Painted Heritage
Origin: Andhra Pradesh & Telangana Why Own It: Hand-painted or block-printed sarees depicting epics, nature, and folklore. Usually done on Tussar or blended silks.
Style Tip: Let the artwork stand out. Keep accessories minimal and opt for a simple hairdo.
Kalamkari Silk – Painted, Not Just Woven
Kalamkari saree isn’t woven in the traditional sense—instead, it involves hand-painting or block printing intricate designs on silk fabrics like Tussar or blended silk. Using natural dyes, artisans depict epics like Mahabharata, Ramayana, flora, fauna, and tribal scenes.
There are two primary styles:
Srikalahasti (hand-painted)
Machilipatnam (block-printed)
Kalamkari sarees are a fusion of art and textile, with each piece taking weeks to complete.
Final Thoughts
From bridal grandeur to artistic expression, these 11 types of silk sarees represent the diverse beauty of Indian craftsmanship. Owning at least one saree from each category ensures you're covered for every mood, moment, and milestone.
Whether you’re a seasoned saree lover or building your ethnic collection, these sarees will offer a mix of elegance, storytelling, and heirloom value—woven into every drape.
