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About Traditional Indian Clothing
Indian people express themselves a great deal through their clothing. Their spiritual quest for perfection plays a role in their choices of beautifully colored, dramatic, and flowing garments. The styles speak to the spirit with sumptuous, vibrant colors woven into the intricate and ornate designs to be found resonating throughout India.
Salwar Kameez : Started as an alternative dress form in Kashmir and Punjab, it has grown in popularity all over India & in all the muslim countries of the world, especially with younger women. With Celebrities like Goldie hawn, Sally field, Hillary Clinton, Jeniffer Lopez & the Late Princess Diana adorning the Salwar (Salwaar) kameez at high profile events, this garment is the clearly the current flavour in the West. Salwars are pajama-like trousers gathered at the waist & ankles, worn underneath a long, loose tunic known as a kameez.
Some tips on Salwar Kameez: The kameez should be a little longer in height. It makes you look taller. If your height is around 5 feet 3 inches then your kameez height should be around 47- 48 inches. If you have broad shoulders then avoid wearing puffed sleeves. If you have fat arms and therefore cannot wear sleeveless then go in for sleeves of about 5 inches length. This will hide the flab on your arms and your hands will look thinner. Salwar or Salwaar can be worn in many styles. Styles keep changing with Trends. Recently big bottoms were in fashion and now short Kurtas Are back in vogue. Chudidar looks good on long kameezs or Kurtas. Avoid wearing them on short Kurtas. Chinese collar (closed neck) makes you look tall, but avoid it if you have broad shoulders. Wear a Salwaar around your naval area, as it will pull in your stomach. If you have the tie strings on your side, it reduces the look of the paunch. Tucks might be out of fashion but they give a very good cut to the Kameez.
Saree : The saree is an extremely versatile garment. It simply consists of a single, rectangular piece of material, five to six yards in length, accommodating any size. The style, color, and texture of this material vary according to region and caste. Different draping styles convey the status, age, occupation, region, and/or religion of the wearer.
Some Tips on: Saree
Buying a Saree :
Women on heavier side should buy sarees in Georgette, Chiffon or Chignon. Heavy Mysore Silk saree looks beautiful and one tends to look slimmer. Shorter women should buy sarees with small borders or no borders. They should definitely avoid big borders as big borders make one look shorter. Thin woman should buy Organza, Cotton, Tissue and Tussar Saree. These Sarees gives a fuller effect.
In printed Saree, avoid big prints, as it gives a gaudy and a huge look. Delicate print on a Saree, gives a delicate look. Dark skin color women should generally buy dark colours like maroon, green, dark pink etc.
Choli : The tightly fitted complimentary colored, short blouse worn under a saree is a choli. Originally, cholis only covered the front, now they have evolved to include versions covering front and back to midriff. The traditional form is still commonly worn in Rajastan.
Lehanga : This is a pleated skirt worn mostly in Rajastan. Worn with a choli, it is secured at the waist, leaving the back and midriff bare. A length of fine cotton called a dupatta, completes the ensemble, covering the head. |
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