India is a land of splendor, elegance and inimitable feminine charm. These virtues are manifested in her show of colorful outfits that highlight the most feminine side of the Indian woman. Traditional clothing for women in India is a mixture of various styles and tastes that suit different communities, religions, cultures, castes, and creeds.
Traditional attires of women in India
The following are the few prominent types of clothing worn by Indian women belonging to different communities:
- Sari: The quintessential Indian tradition, the sari is the most popular attraction devoid of culture, caste, region and religion. Different forms of this beautiful attire include Kanjivaram, Chanderi, Gadwal, Tangail, Banarsi silk, Kosa silk, Patola, Pochampally and many others. Available in many fabrics ranging from silk, crepe and tussar to plain cotton, this is the garment of choice for any occasion. With the changing times, the sari has taken on a whole new style (attractive bodice cut, made-up pleats, and designer narrow pallu).
- lehanga choli: A favorite of young women, the lehanga choli originated as elegant women’s attire in Gujarat and Rajasthan. Today, it is very popular in all regions and cannot be missing from the wardrobe. It comes in different cuts and shapes, including fish cut, A-cut, umbrella cut, and straight cut. It fits well with any traditional occasion and brings out the curvaceous ethnic beauty of a girl. Designer lehanga choli with deep shades and heavy embellishments is a perfect bridal wear. Paired with a stunning dupatta, lehanga-choli is the most luxurious and magnificent costume.
- Churidaar: Women love to wear churidaar as it allows them to carry beauty with considerable sophistication and simplicity. Even married women opt for this outfit to avoid any mess. The combination of a beautiful Anarkali top with matching or contrasting churidaar and elegant dupatta is just gorgeous. It is comfortable to wear as compared to the sari and is therefore the preferred outfit for all occasions.
- Salwaar Kamez: Known to be the most comfortable attire, the salwaar kameez is very popular in India. It is mainly considered as a regional costume of Punjab but nowadays it has national acceptance. A loose long salwaar paired with a stylish kameez is perfect for any casual or formal occasion. While the salwaar is a comparatively lightweight part of the dress, the kameez can range from heavy to light depending on its work. Dupatta is generally 2.5 meters long and is the same color as the salwaar in many cases. Sometimes an embroidered dupatta is heavier than a kameez and accentuates the overall look.
Apart from the aforementioned fashions, the lancha, sharara, garara, kurti and long Anarkali are some of the most coveted traditional garments for women in India. Even modern outfits have their roots in tradition. Styles have certainly undergone a great change, but Indian outfits still give a royal value to those who wear them.