Alia Bhatt may love her summer dresses and big hoops, but when it comes to occasion wear, the star never underestimates the power of an elegant drape. From Tarun Tahiliani to Sabyasachi to Manish Malhotra, she has a collection of envy-worthy drapes from all the big labels. Over the years, the star has given us many noteworthy traditional looks, experimenting with something new each time. We scoured the 27-year-old’s style files to bring you lessons in smart millennial styling. From classic blouses to quirky motifs, scroll ahead for the star-approved 101 on giving your saris a modern take.

1. The multi-coloured bandhini drape

During the promotional rounds of Kalank, Alia Bhatt chose a custom-made bandhini sari by Tarun Tahiliani. It came in tones of red, mint green and gold making it a vibrant, eye-catching ensemble. Complementing the green shades of the number, she kept it minimal in the jewellery department with a dainty emerald maang tikka by Suhanie Pittie. Perfect for a family gathering, puja or pre-wedding ceremony, Bhatt's traditional pick is a safe bet for all occasions.

2. The ruffled sari every millennial should bookmark

If you are looking for a sari which is both lightweight and vibrant, take cues from Alia Bhatt’s green and yellow paisley printed Sabyasachi number. It is no secret that pairing the simplest sari with an interesting blouse can upgrade your traditional look instantly. Bhatt styled her ruffled drape with an off-shoulder blouse and buckled belt to cinch in the waist. She completed the look with nothing but a pair of statement earrings and did up her hair in a voluminous ponytail.

3. A pre-draped monochrome ensemble

pre-draped perfectly combine ease of movement and traditional flair, and Alia Bhatt is all for it. She picked a draped ensemble by Manish Malhotra that perfectly highlighted her frame for a friend’s wedding in Delhi, but went for a standout cobalt blue palette for some added drama. What was also interesting is how she styled her custom-made drape over matching flared sharara pants to give it a modern spin.

4. The silk sari in pastel shades

Those who follow Alia Bhatt on Instagram are familiar with her love for cats. Taking a quirky approach to traditional occasion wear, the star wore a custom-made drape by Madhurya with cat motifs on the red carpet. The silk weave gave it a luxe finish and her go-to sleeve less blouse in hot pink added a pop of colour. To complete the look, she paired her ensemble with a pair of gold jhumkas and a green bindi.

5. A cocktail-ready sheer number

You can never go wrong with the colour red, proved Bhatt in a striking red sari which she picked to receive the Best Actress trophy for her role in Raazi. While the intricate tonal floral embroidery on the Sabysachi drape added a romantic touch to her OOTD, the matching red blouse that came with a low back gave it a contemporary finish. For your next cocktail party, trade the mainstream metallic gowns with a standout red sari.