About Indian Clothes

Most western viewers agree that one of the best parts of Bollywood films are the traditional Indian outfits. With more color and pattern combinations than most could imagine, there are a number of traditional women and men's garments worn in India even today. While dressing in western clothing is becoming increasingly common in India, traditional clothing still holds a prominent place in India's dress code, regardless of whether it is worn on its own or in combination with modern garments.

Sari

A sari is perhaps the most well-known women's garment in India. It is a rectangular sheet of fabric, such as cotton or silk, that measures 5 or 6 yards long. Saris, which come in a variety of colors, can be worn in several ways. Most women wrap the sari around their waist and drape the remaining length around their shoulders. Others drape it around their head like a veil. A short, tight-fitting blouse called a choli, which reveals the midriff and bellybutton, is worn with a sari. While saris are worn by most women for festivals and ceremonies, in some communities women wear saris on a daily basis.

Dhoti and Kurta

The name dhoti refers to long pieces of cloth, typically in white or off-white tones. Dhotis are worn by men, either tied around the legs in the form of loose pants or wrapped around the head as a turban. This garment is typically worn by the inhabitants of the western and central regions of India. Dhoti are often paired with a long, collarless shirt called a kurta. Today, kurtas have been incorporated into modern styles of dress, as they are often paired with jeans.

Salwar Kameez

The outfit called salwar kameez consists of loose-fitting pants and a long, tunic-like shirt. A concept brought to India by Muslim nations, salwar kameez is worn by men and women. Women often add a scarf called a dupatta to their salwar kameez, while men complete theirs with a waistcoat. Although at first salwar kameez was worn primarily within the Muslim communities of India, it is now a clothing choice popular among all Indians.

Sherwani and Lungi

The name sherwani refers to a tight-fitting, coat-like garment that ends at the knees or lower. Worn by men, a sherwarni opens and closes in the front with the help of buttons. Men wear a long, sarong-like cloth called a lungi underneath a sherwani. A lungi is tied around the waist with the help of a sash and is cinched around the legs and ankles. This traditional form of Indian dress is most often worn for religious festivals and celebrations.

Pavada

Girls often wear a choli blouse with a long skirt called a pavada. Pavadas resemble half-saris. Many pavada styles include ruffles and fringes constructed of shiny, satin-like fabrics. Often embellished with embroidery, beading, sequins and weaving, pavadas end at the ankle in order to ensure that young girls exercise modesty of dress. Pavadas are typically worn by girls between the ages of 13 and 19.