Indian Costumes

For the foreign traveler, one of the powerful attractions in India, the colorful and diversified attire of its people. The Silk Saris, beautifully mirrored cholis, colorful lehangas and the traditional salwar-kameez have fascinated many travelers through the centuries.

For a single length of material, Sari is the most versatile garment in existence. It is only one of the many traditional garments worn by women, but it has somehow become the national dress of Indian women. A sari is a rectangular piece of cloth which is five to six yards in length. The style, color and texture of this drug varies and can be made of cotton, silk or one of the many manmade materials. The sari has an ageless charm since it is not cut or tailored to a specific size. This garment can fit in a size and if worn properly can strengthen or hide. This extremely graceful attire can also be worn in several ways, and its way to wear as well as its color and texture are indicative of the status, age, occupation, region and religion of a woman.

The tightly fitted, short blouse worn under a sari is a choli. The choli evolved as a form of clothing in the 10th century AD, and the first cholis were only front covering; back was always bare. Bodices of this type are still prevalent in Rajasthan state.

Apart from the choli, women in Rajasthan, a form of pleated skirt known as the ghagra or lehanga. This skirt is secured at the waist and leaves the back and midriff bar. Heads are covered by a length of fine cotton known as orhni or dupatta.

Another popular attire of women in India is the salwar-kameez. This dress evolved as a comfortable and respectable garment for women in Kashmir and Punjab, but is now immensely popular in all regions of India. Salwars is pajama-like trousers drawn tightly at the waist and ankles. Over the salwars, women wear long and loose tunic known as a kameez. You can sometimes come across women wearing a churidar instead of a salwar. A similar churidar salwar but is tighter fitting at the hips, thighs and ankles. Above that, you could wear a collar or mandarin-collar tunic called a Kurta.

Although most Indian women wear traditional costumes, the men in India can be found in more conventional western clothing. Shirts and trousers are worn by men from all regions of India. However, men in villages are still more comfortable in traditional attire like Kurta, lungis, dhotis and pajamas.

The traditional Lungi originated in the south and is now worn by both men and women. It is simply a short length of material worn around the thighs rather like a sarong. A dhoti is a longer Lungi but with an extra length of material pulled up between her legs. Pajama-like trousers worn by the villagers are known as lenga.

Indian dressing styles are marked by many variations, both religious and regional and you will be able to experience a plethora of colors, textures and styles in garments worn by the Indians.