No style gallery of Jayalalithaa is complete without her iconic sari looks. She elevated the humble six-yard drape into a statement of power and grace.

Jayalalithaa is credited with introducing several modern fashion trends to the conservative Tamil film industry:

During the late 70s, her personal photoshoots saw a spike in velvet usage. Velvet sarees with gold gotta patti work, paired with heavy Kundan jewelry. The texture of velvet photographed exquisitely under the arc lamps of the time, giving her skin a porcelain glow.

In dozens of magazine covers and film stills, Jayalalithaa turned the chiffon sari into power dressing.

: Her signature 80s heroine look is still celebrated today, characterized by sharp winged eyeliner, rosy pink blush, and classic retro hairstyles. The Political Era: Symbols of Authority (1980s–2016)

: Her sarees were often draped with a shawl-like pallu over her shoulder, creating a look that felt both culturally rooted and powerful.