India is a country of great wealth, and an extremely diverse culture and traditions. So unique is the country and its people that nations far and wide have decided to borrow a few elements of their lives, such as food and attires. Indian foods are found in almost every country on the surface of the world, and the same is also the case for Indian attires. You will find millions of women who are not Indians enjoying using attires such as sarees and printed kurtis because of their beauty, diversity, and comfort. With a lot to be borrowed from India, if you are a fashion conscious individual, here is a look at some of the top traditional dresses you may consider having in your closet should you have a passion for anything Indian-:
Kurta-Pajama
Kurti-Pyjama is mostly worn by men in India, especially during traditional ceremonies or festive occasions. The kurti is mainly worn with the pajama or a churidaar at the bottom, with any pair of comfortable shoes. The other variety of the attire is the kurtis which is worn by women and is available in a variety of styles, with the most common ones being printed kurtis, wedding kurtis, festive kurtis and much more. For a good collection of kurti and kurta, check out Stylecaret for varieties, as well as for great deals on the attires.
Lungi
Lungi is a popular Indian traditional attire mainly worn by the communities from the south. They are made from cotton or silk and they are amongst the best attires you will ever find perfect for the summer heat. It is also a favorite wear for most of the traditional ceremonies. At first glance, you may think of the attire as some kind of short wrapper for the lower body – usually, it doesn’t go below the knee level. It was designed to be worn as the main dress, and as such, it is common to find men wearing it with no attire on the upper body. Some men use it to show off their bellies as a sign of wealth and endowment, while others use it to show off their muscles, like when dancing the famous Bhangra dance.
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Dhoti
Dhoti is another extremely popular attire amongst the Indians. It used to be a preserve of most of the villagers, but with time, its versatility makes it appealing to even those living in town who desire to keep in touch with some of their traditions. Currently, it is normal to find men combining dhoti with sherwani for occasions such as weddings, festivals, and parties. Dhoti also happens to be one of the favorite bottoms for pairing with tops such as kurtis. It is a comfortable and a unique wear that indicates the true Indian spirit as far as dressing is considered.
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Pheran
If you have seen Pakistani villagers, then you may have an idea of how pheran looks like since this is their most preferred attire. It is a traditional dress whose origins is in the Kashmir region, hence, its adoption with Pakistanis as well. It is a full-length gown ideal for use during the cold months of winter, and it is a popular choice for both men and women. If you are looking for a change of attire for your winter clothes, this will definitely make a great inclusion in your closet.
Puanchei
This is a traditional dress of Mizoram, and you will find both men and women dressing in it during traditional Indian weddings. Most of the times, it is worn together with a blouse for the girls or kawrechi during performances such as the Bamboo Dance. There are several designs to this attire, and even if you didn’t want it to perform the famous bamboo dance, it is something you can use for day to day use if you love creativity and elegance.
Sharara
If you have heard of gharara or ghagra, then it will please you to know that sharara is just a replacement for the two. Its design features a loosely pleated trouser which can be as long or as short as you desire. However, the design tends to favor the taller versions or those who will manage to fit them up to the ankle level. For Indian ladies who are vertically challenged, this is ideal for creating an illusion of height, thus making them appear taller than they actually are.
Sherwani
Watching Bollywood movies will treat you to an incredible view of young and handsome men wearing sherwani coats. This is a traditional attire who origin can be traced back to the north and it is one of the attires for formal occasions in India. It has another variation known as achkan, which instead of being a shirt (with or without buttons) reaching the knee region, it is a jacket with a similar length.
Ghagra Choli
Also known as Lehanga, ghagra choli is very popular with Indians from Rajasthan and Gujarat. They are available in different forms and colors and the embroidered versions are very common during Indian traditional weddings. There is also another form featuring mirror embellishment which is common for festivities such as the Navratri celebrations. In most of the times, they are worn with the odhni since it makes them look more graceful.
Salwar and Kameez
Salwar and kameez will never fail to be mentioned in every list talking about famous Indian traditional dresses. This is because of their uniqueness, beauty, and elegance. They are one of the most outstanding dressing combinations amongst the Indians, and if you truly admire Indian attires, you will surely desire to have it in your closet. It is common to find some people replacing the salwar with churidar. The kameez length will vary, with some reaching the ankles while others just going slightly beneath the knees. For a very long time, the combination of salwar and kameez was the main traditional dress of the people from the regions of Haryana, Punjab, and Himachal Pradesh.
Saris
Every time a mention of Indian clothes is made, it is saris that will come into the minds of many people. They are distinct, and available in a humongous variation of styles and designs. Some of the most popular types include silk sari, patola sari, kanjivaram sari and banarasi sari amongst others. Saris are one of the best Indian attires for giving ladies a stroke of brilliance and elegance.
