Indians express themselves through their attire. Their spiritual pursuit for excellence is highly reflected by the selection of their splendidly decorated, strikingly vivid and elegant garments. The Indian fashion speaks thousand words with their extravagant and vivacious colors knitted into elaborate and flamboyant designs religiously followed throughout the country.
Shalwar Kameez or Salwar Kameez: Indian Salwar Kameez is an outstanding piece of garment which can be worn on both casual and formal occasion. It is elegant clothing with its eye-catching quality and comfort. The diverse variety of Indian fabrics and rich hues embellished with hand made or machine embroideries, lend this garment an extremely attractive look.
Salwar is a loose-fitting pajama-like trouser worn compactly around the waist while Kameez is a long tunic worn over the salwar. The traditional kameez come in long tunic form but the contemporary versions are available in all kind of lengths, designs and colors.
Earlier, salwar kameez was optional attire in Punjab and Kashmir but due to its growing popularity in India, the attire is not only a craze among young girls but has been donned by many international celebrities like Goldie Hawn, Hillary Clinton, Late Princess Diana and Jennifer Lopez at prestigious events.
Saree: The saree is multipurpose attire. It is five to six yards in length and accentuates the personality of women of any size or shape. The style of draping and texture differs according to traditions of a particular state and the woman’s social standing.
Sarees are available in cotton, silk, georgette, kanjiwaram, knitted and other fabrics along with different designs. The contemporary versions are a perfect blend of modern and traditional designs. They are available in embroidered form, lehenga style, traditional designs (paithani, maheshwari, tanchoi), partywear, bridal wear, sarees with French lace, Bandhej, printed etc.
Lehanga: Lehanga is a creased skirt worn traditionally by Rajasthani women with a choli. The Lehanga is tightly drawn at the waist and when teamed with short blouse/ choli, it leaves the back and midriff uncovered. To complete the look, a duppatta can be worn either to cover the head or over the shoulders.
Choli: The tight fitting petite blouse donned under a saree or over a Lehanga is known as a choli. Traditionally a choli was worn to cover the front part, but the latest versions have redefined its use and have revamped it in the form of long compact blouse which can be worn on formal occasions. The conventional form of choli is still donned in western Indian state of Rajasthan.
Indian attire for Men
Kurta Pajama: A loose fitting shirt without collars is known as Kurta. It is worn over Pajama which is drawn at waist. Men can pair this ensemble with a bandi or waistcoat and a shawl.
Achkan: A tunic with full sleeves and round neck with a length of 3-5cms higher than the knee is known as Achkan. It has a flowing front breaching from the middle and is secured with buttons and button outlets. It appears like a Sherwani but is different in length and design.
Angarakha: Traditional Rajasthani attire, Angarakha is widely admired in Indian states of Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Maharashtra. It is worn over a pajama or churidar. The attire is available in different designs and engraves. Angarakha are of two types namely, long angarakha extending below the knees and frock style Angarakha which is waist length.
Sherwani: An extended coat similar to achkan in design is known as Sherwani. It extends below the knees and is fastened up to the collar. It is teamed above a dhoti, salwar or churidar. In contemporary scenario Sherwani is considered as a party wear and is perfect for marriage occasions. The history of the attire can be traced back to Delhi Sultanate and Mughal Empire which ruled India for considerable amount of time.
Dhoti: Conventional Indian attire for men especially in rural areas, Dhotis exhibit one’s reputed standing and admiration for Indian traditions. Dhoti is a disentangled piece of garment which is 7 yards in length and is rectangular in size. It is secured around the waist and the legs.
Lungi: The tradition of sporting lungis differs from state to state. It is generally available in cotton fabric and varies in designs and colors. In Kerala, Lungi is worn as informal attire. Lungi in natural white color is referred as Mundu which is sported in formal events like weddings. Mundus with golden needlework is called a kasavu. In Indian states of West Bengal and Punjab, Lungi is an informal wear donned by men regardless of class and caste.
Indian attire for women
Shalwar Kameez or Salwar Kameez: Indian Salwar Kameez is an outstanding piece of garment which can be worn on both casual and formal occasion. It is elegant clothing with its eye-catching quality and comfort. The diverse variety of Indian fabrics and rich hues embellished with hand made or machine embroideries, lend this garment an extremely attractive look.
Salwar is a loose-fitting pajama-like trouser worn compactly around the waist while Kameez is a long tunic worn over the salwar. The traditional kameez come in long tunic form but the contemporary versions are available in all kind of lengths, designs and colors.
Earlier, salwar kameez was optional attire in Punjab and Kashmir but due to its growing popularity in India, the attire is not only a craze among young girls but has been donned by many international celebrities like Goldie Hawn, Hillary Clinton, Late Princess Diana and Jennifer Lopez at prestigious events.
Saree: The saree is multipurpose attire. It is five to six yards in length and accentuates the personality of women of any size or shape. The style of draping and texture differs according to traditions of a particular state and the woman’s social standing.
Sarees are available in cotton, silk, georgette, kanjiwaram, knitted and other fabrics along with different designs. The contemporary versions are a perfect blend of modern and traditional designs. They are available in embroidered form, lehenga style, traditional designs (paithani, maheshwari, tanchoi), partywear, bridal wear, sarees with French lace, Bandhej, printed etc.
Lehanga: Lehanga is a creased skirt worn traditionally by Rajasthani women with a choli. The Lehanga is tightly drawn at the waist and when teamed with short blouse/ choli, it leaves the back and midriff uncovered. To complete the look, a duppatta can be worn either to cover the head or over the shoulders.
Choli: The tight fitting petite blouse donned under a saree or over a Lehanga is known as a choli. Traditionally a choli was worn to cover the front part, but the latest versions have redefined its use and have revamped it in the form of long compact blouse which can be worn on formal occasions. The conventional form of choli is still donned in western Indian state of Rajasthan.
Indian attire for Men
Kurta Pajama: A loose fitting shirt without collars is known as Kurta. It is worn over Pajama which is drawn at waist. Men can pair this ensemble with a bandi or waistcoat and a shawl.
Achkan: A tunic with full sleeves and round neck with a length of 3-5cms higher than the knee is known as Achkan. It has a flowing front breaching from the middle and is secured with buttons and button outlets. It appears like a Sherwani but is different in length and design.
Angarakha: Traditional Rajasthani attire, Angarakha is widely admired in Indian states of Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Maharashtra. It is worn over a pajama or churidar. The attire is available in different designs and engraves. Angarakha are of two types namely, long angarakha extending below the knees and frock style Angarakha which is waist length.
Sherwani: An extended coat similar to achkan in design is known as Sherwani. It extends below the knees and is fastened up to the collar. It is teamed above a dhoti, salwar or churidar. In contemporary scenario Sherwani is considered as a party wear and is perfect for marriage occasions. The history of the attire can be traced back to Delhi Sultanate and Mughal Empire which ruled India for considerable amount of time.
Dhoti: Conventional Indian attire for men especially in rural areas, Dhotis exhibit one’s reputed standing and admiration for Indian traditions. Dhoti is a disentangled piece of garment which is 7 yards in length and is rectangular in size. It is secured around the waist and the legs.
Lungi: The tradition of sporting lungis differs from state to state. It is generally available in cotton fabric and varies in designs and colors. In Kerala, Lungi is worn as informal attire. Lungi in natural white color is referred as Mundu which is sported in formal events like weddings. Mundus with golden needlework is called a kasavu. In Indian states of West Bengal and Punjab, Lungi is an informal wear donned by men regardless of class and caste.
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