Just like India reflects the phrase ‘unity in diversity’, Indian dresses to follow it. Culture, place, religion all of these factors affect the way different Indians dress. Urban cities like Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore etc are seeing the changes in the clothing style as there are all kinds of people living in them and their dressing style is influenced by modernity and westernization.

Indians are heirs to a rich tradition of textile weaving. Dressing in India varies from village to village and city to city. Indian textile is unparalleled for its texture, drape, concept and color combinations. Indian modern traditional dresses are created by talented designers who combine western trends with Indian concepts. Their efforts have resulted in an outstanding range of Indian clothing. Indian fashion is creating ripples in international fashion markets.

Socio-economic trends define the ultimate choice of party wear in India. Party wear Indian dresses tend towards the fusion look. These are a blend of western and Indian dressing styles. People living in urban India are now seen wearing western dresses for reasons of comfort and utility. This trend is creating a demand for stitched or tailored garments in India. Designer salwar kameez sets and chudidar suits are fast replacing the ubiquitous sari in Indian wardrobes. This is also happening in small cities. Salwar sets and chudidar suits are available in a wide variety, style and fit to suit every taste in Indian fashion markets. Jeans with long kurtis are also very popular with Indian women from urban area.

The typical Indian ceremonial dress is still based on the tradition of partly unstitched costumes. This is the same for men and women. Sari still remains the most popular traditional clothing for women. Indian saris are considered to be very rich and elegant all around the world. It can be draped in varied styles over stitched and embellished designer blouses. Saris are woven in many styles, fabrics, designs and colours. Salwar Kameez is also becoming popular attire for ceremonial wear for women in India. Lehnga cholies with exotic half saris in the Gujrati and Rajasthani traditional style are popular for bridal wear all over India.

Ceremonial dresses for Indian men differ from place to place. Indian men from urban areas show a distinct preference for western wear like suits and jackets on formal occasions. While men from rural areas still wear dhotis, lungis and pajama-kurtas on traditional occasions and special ceremonial occasions.

Indian dressing and style preferences are mainly dominated by cultural diversity and variations. These influences range from the religious, regional to individual. Society and economy also plays an important part in making clothing choices for Indian people. To sum up, India offers a fascinating canvas in terms of style, colour, texture and variety of garments to the world of fashion..

Useful links/blogs:

www.indianfashion.in