Since ancient times, clothes are an authentic representation of humankind’s creativity. It was first worn for protection and comfort, and now fashion has become a primary aspect of clothing too. Indian women are popularly known for their ethnic clothing across the globe. Each state has its ethnic wear that represents their past culture and heritage. Kreeva.com caters to the needs of Indian women’s clothing by offering a myriad of ethnic clothing to choose from. To give you a brief idea, here’s an overview of the types of women’s ethnic wear in India. An Overview Of Women’s Ethnic Wear In India.
An Overview Of Women’s Ethnic Wear In India
History Of Women’s Ethnic Clothing In India
Each state of India has its own story of how their ethnic clothing originated. It can be because of their previous leaders or the type of civilization they were a part of. However, over the years, Indian ethnic clothing for women has evolved into having several popular forms – for example, sarees, Kurtis, and lehengas.
Even though women in India favor Western dresses, women still mandatorily wear ethnic dresses on auspicious occasions like festivals and weddings. The clothes you wear have the power of defining you and even represent your ethnicity. It’s always nice to learn about the history of your culture through clothes. To do the same, you can read below to learn about the traditional wear of Indian women.
The Types Of Women’s Ethnic Wear In India
Ethnic clothing in India strikes an ideal balance between comfort and fashion. Each ethnic clothing is further divided based on the material, design, and style of wearing it. These differences ensure the uniqueness of each apparel. Read below to get more insights into the Indian ethnic clothing.
Salwaar Kameez
This clothing is generally worn by a lot of my women in northern India. This outfit consists of loose pants with a matching top. However, there are many variations in fitting, style, and color provided in salwar kameez.
This women’s ethnic wear is made of cotton for everyday wear, but if you’re looking for something fancy, then there are salwar kameez made up of expensive materials such as silk and nylon.
Design Based On States
The type of print also differentiates the occasion in which you can wear a salwar kameez. For example, ‘phulkari’ is a type of embroidery famous in Punjab, and every piece of clothing, especially salwar kameez, has Phulkari designs on it. It may seem fancy to the women of other states, but this a daily wear in Punjab.
Similarly, bandhani prints that originated in Rajasthan are widely popular for their contrasting colors and asymmetrical patterns.
Design Based On Style
The salwar, which refers to the bottoms of the clothing, also comes in several variations. ‘Patiala pants’ are balloon type pants that are known to provide maximum comfort and are traditionally worn by women in Punjab. Palazzo pants have seen a significant rise in popularity too. They are straight cut pants that can be combined with virtually any top-wear.
The kameez refers to the top half of this clothing. It can be of any sleeve length and neckline. Salwar kameez is a professional women’s ethnic wear worn by teachers and some office going women. Ultimately, it’s up to your comfort and budget to decide which type of salwar kameez you can buy.
Saree
Globally, sarees are known as traditional ethnic wear in India. Irrespective of the state you belong to, this clothing is an integral part of your culture. Furthermore, many states have their way of draping a saree. For example, the Corgi saree or the Bengali saree. Although many of the elements are similar, some modifications are made here and there to give you a whole new outlook.
You must recognize the authenticity of these states’ saree draping to understand the cultural aspect behind it fully. The traditional saree is the professional staple wear of women in India too. Many offices, schools, and other organizations have mandatory rules for women to wear saree at work.
The Material Of The Saree
The material of the saree also varies from state to state. For instance, in India’s southern part, silk saree is preferred by the large female population. Moreover, silk has variations too. As you know, silks are derived from the silkworm, but the silkworm species and the process by which the silk is procured – changes the quality of the silk.
However, many Indian ethnic stores have all types of latest silk saree available to give more flexibility in consumers’ choices. Other than silk, sarees are made of cotton, nylon, and similar types of materials. Cotton sarees are breathable and are ideal for wearing on hot summer days. Nylon sarees mimic the luster of silk sarees at much lower prices and can be worn on fancy occasions like weddings, parties, etc.
Bridal Sarees
The trend of bridal sarees has also become prominent. This old-fashioned trend has made a comeback in modern times. From celebrities to the common folk, everyone seems to hop on to this trend. Some gorgeous latest sarees are available in the marketplace that will make the perfect bridal wear for you. Choose from the available colors, designs, or even customize the saree of your dream. To enhance your overall saree look, you can change the blouse design. Try out new trends like off-shoulders, puff sleeves, and different sleeve lengths to spice up your everyday saree look.
Designer Lehengas
Designer lehenga cholis are a few of the most sophisticated yet appealing clothing pieces you’ll come across. For instance, one of the most common occasions on which you can wear a designer lehenga choli is for weddings. Weddings are a few of the most auspicious and momentous events of your life. Whether you’re a bride to be or are attending your loved ones’ wedding, there’s no better apparel to wear than a designer lehenga choli. Lehenga cholis give you the ultimate benefit of looking stylish and elegant.
Weddings And Lehengas
Thanks to the apparel industry, you will come across a wide range of vibrant colored lehenga cholis. Further, you will stumble across a wide range of lehenga types. From jacket lehengas, flares lehengas, and much more, lehenga cholis are just what you need to add a pinch of dramatic effects to your life. And well, who doesn’t like a little drama?
When it comes to weddings, you may need to consider buying several outfits. From Sangeet, Mehendi, wedding ceremony, and much more, you can find all types of Ghagra choli for the exact occasion. Additionally, lehenga cholis have become the go-tos for several other occasions. From Bollywood actresses that wear lehenga choli at promotions and award shows and women that wear these clothing pieces for formal and personal functions, lehenga cholis never cease to surprise you.
Indian Kurtis
Indian kurtis have undeniably gained peak popularity today. Today, every other Indian woman has a kurti in her closet. As the name suggests, Indian kurtis are a few of the most basic clothing pieces that bring out the traditional side of you. Furthermore, kurtis also go well with jeans. While kurtis have existed for decades now, they’ve evolved drastically. You will come across short and long kurtis. What makes kurtis quite an ideal choice for many is that they are suitable for any Indian occasion. From festivals, weddings, and much more, kurtis are quite simple yet appealing.
Indo-Western Style
As previously stated, long kurtis paired up with jeans are quite a catch. A kurti adds a tint of elegance and charm to your overall outfit. Drop jeans, salwars, pajamas, or slacks; you can style your Kurti as you please. If you want to avoid looking too traditional, you can go ahead and pair your Kurti with style. Additionally, you can also pair up your Kurtis with ethnic jackets, and so on.
Traditional Maxi Dresses
Maxi dresses are a general term for usually long and flowy western dresses. However, a touch of ethnicity is added to this clothing by designing and styling it with ethnic prints. Ruffles, frills, bell sleeves are some of the trends that can upgrade a maxi Indian traditional dress. Moreover, you can make variations to these dresses by buying them in different prints, for example, floral, checkered, geometrical, etc. The relaxed-fitting and lightweight features of these dresses make them breathable and an idealistic choice for hot Indian summers.
To Sum Up
Ever since the ancient era, traditional clothing is known as one of the most prominent clothing types. From designer lehenga choli, kurti, salwar kameez, Indian traditional dress, and much more, the evolution of ethnic wear has undeniably left everyone in awe. From the royalty queens that wore ethnic wear centuries ago to the present-era women that adore traditional wear, it can only get better.
Conclusion | An Overview Of Women’s Ethnic Wear In India
The collection of ethnic wear is all about embracing your traditional side. Now dive deep into the company’s exquisite ethnic wear collection to make quite the first impression in an upcoming occasion.