India is a country with an ancient vesture design tradition. There are numerous styles, brands and paraphernalia from different countries of the country each with different societies and traditions.
History
Clothing styles in India dates back to ages, yet fashion is a new sedulity, as it was the traditional Indian vesture with indigenous variations, be it the Saree, Gaghra Choli or Dhoti, that remained popular until the early decades of post- independent India.
A common form of Indian fashion originates from Western culture. Before Independence, when India was ruled by royalty , where clothes were grand looking with heavy accessories. Till date, multitudinous royal families have kept their heritage complete with their style of dressing and traditions. With the finest tradesman on vesture and ultimate finesse in fabrics, they’re the reason the history of fashion in India is so rich and memorable.
During the Vedic period, a single cloth draped around the body, across the shoulder was projected or fastened with a belt and was considered a comfortable attire for hot downfall. When stitching started during the Vedic period, for women saree was the easiest attire to wear and tear. subsequently on, a blouse or choli was also incorporated to cover the upper part of the body.
Mughals have left a strong print on tradesman in India.Attires created from luxurious silk, velvet, brocade and muslin and elaborate designs and magnifications were the distinct characteristics of the Mughal fashion.
Men wore exquisite design short and long robes or coats which included long- sleeved vesture called chogha. Pagri on the head, a patka or belt at the waist, pyjama style pants were trademarks of men’s fashion. Women, on the other hand, wore a traditional dress of Persia and Khurasan due to Purdah system. In the court of Humayun and Babar, utmost noble women wore loose wide pants.
Present Fashion in india
Women’s Fashion
> Ethnic Wear
1. Sarees:
- Fusion Drapes: Modern twists on traditional saree draping, such as the dhoti drape or
the gown-style drape. - Pre-Stitched Sarees: Ready-to-wear sarees that are easy to drape and manage.
2. Lehenga Choli:
- Mix and Match: Combining different fabrics, colors, and patterns to create unique outfits.
- Crop Top Lehengas: Traditional lehengas paired with contemporary crop tops.
3. Salwar Kameez:
- Palazzo Suits: Wide-legged palazzo pants paired with kurtas.
- Anarkali Suits: Floor-length Anarkali suits with intricate embroidery.
4. Kurtis:
- Asymmetrical and High-Low Hemlines: Kurtis with unique cuts and designs.
- Layered Kurtis: Adding depth and dimension with layered designs.
>Western Wear
1. Dresses:
- Maxi Dresses: Long, flowing dresses with ethnic prints or bohemian styles.
- Bodycon Dresses: Form-fitting dresses for a chic and modern look.
2. Tops and Shirts:
- Off-Shoulder and Cold-Shoulder Tops: Stylish and trendy tops for a casual yet
fashionable look. - Peplum Tops: Flared tops that add a touch of elegance.
3. Pants and Skirts:
- High-Waisted Pants: Popular for both casual and formal occasions.
- Midi and Maxi Skirts: Versatile skirts that can be dressed up or down.
>Fusion Wear
1. Indo-Western Outfits:
- Kurta and Jeans: Traditional kurtas paired with jeans or leggings.
- Dhoti Pants and Crop Tops: Combining ethnic bottoms with modern tops.
Men’s Fashion
>Ethnic Wear
1. Kurta Pajama:
- Designer Kurtas: Stylish kurtas with intricate embroidery and unique cuts.
- Pathani Suits: Comfortable and stylish suits for casual and festive occasions.
2. Sherwanis:
- Embroidered Sherwanis: Richly decorated sherwanis for weddings and formal events.
- Jodhpuri Suits: A blend of traditional and contemporary styles.
3. Nehru Jackets:
- Sleeveless Jackets: Worn over shirts or kurtas for a polished look.
- Bandhgala Jackets: Traditional jackets with modern cuts.
>Western Wear
1. Casual Wear:
- Printed Shirts: Ethnic prints and motifs on casual shirts.
- Denim: Classic jeans paired with casual shirts or T-shirts.
2. Formal Wear:
- Tailored Suits: Well-fitted suits for corporate and formal events.
- Blazers: Casual blazers paired with chinos or jeans.
>Fusion Wear
1. Indo-Western Outfits:
- Kurta and Blazer: Combining traditional kurtas with modern blazers.
- Dhoti Pants with Western Shirts: A unique blend of ethnic and Western styles.
Types of Clothing in Different States
Andhra Pradesh: Women wear sarees like Pochampally and men wear dhotis or lungis with a
shirt.
Arunachal Pradesh: Women wear shawls, skirts, and blouses with ethnic designs, and men
wear jackets and wraps.
Assam: Women wear Mekhela Chador, and men wear dhotis with traditional shirts.
Bihar: Women wear sarees, and men wear dhotis with kurtas.
Chhattisgarh: Women wear Kachhora sarees, and men wear dhotis and turbans.
Goa: Women wear Nav-vari sarees, and men wear dhotis and traditional shirts.
Gujarat: Women wear Ghagra Choli, and men wear Kediyu and dhotis.
Haryana: Women wear Damaan, Kurti, and Chunder, and men wear dhotis with turbans.
Himachal Pradesh: Women wear Rahide and Choli, and men wear Chola and woolen caps.
Jharkhand: Women wear sarees with regional prints, and men wear dhotis.
Karnataka: Women wear Ilkal sarees, and men wear panche (dhoti) with shirts.
Kerala: Women wear Kasavu sarees, and men wear Mundu with shirts.
Madhya Pradesh: Women wear Lehenga and Choli, and men wear dhotis with kurta.
Maharashtra: Women wear Nauvari sarees, and men wear dhotis and Pheta (turban).
Manipur: Women wear Phanek and Innaphi, and men wear dhotis with jackets.
Meghalaya: Women wear Jainsem, and men wear dhotis with traditional jackets.
Mizoram: Women wear Puan, and men wear traditional shirts with wraps.
Nagaland: Women wear Angami skirts and shawls, and men wear traditional wraps.
Odisha: Women wear Sambalpuri sarees, and men wear dhotis with shirts.
Punjab: Women wear Salwar Kameez with dupatta, and men wear kurta with pajama and
turban.
Rajasthan: Women wear Ghagra Choli, and men wear dhotis with Angrakha.
Sikkim: Women wear Bakhu with blouses, and men wear Bakhu with trousers.
Tamil Nadu: Women wear Kanchipuram sarees, and men wear Veshti with shirts.
Telangana: Women wear sarees like Pochampally, and men wear dhotis with shirts.
Tripura: Women wear Rignai and Risa, and men wear traditional shirts with wraps.
Uttar Pradesh: Women wear sarees, and men wear dhotis with kurtas.
Uttarakhand: Women wear Ghagra Choli, and men wear dhotis with kurta.
West Bengal: Women wear sarees like Tant and Baluchari, and men wear dhotis with kurta.
Jammu and Kashmir: Women wear Pheran, and men wear Pheran with traditional caps.
Bollywood Effect on Indian Fashion
Bollywood has had a profound influence on Indian fashion for decades, shaping trends and introducing new styles to the masses.
Its unique blend of traditional and contemporary elements has inspired designers and fashion enthusiasts worldwide to embrace the Bollywood style.
The below information gives the combined knowledge about bollywood effect on the country’s fashion taken from different sources.
1950s and 1960s: The Golden Era
1. Iconic Actresses:
- Madhubala and Nargis: Popularized the traditional saree with elegant draping styles.
- Vyjayanthimala: Known for her classical dance costumes and sarees.
2. Men’s Fashion:
- Dilip Kumar and Raj Kapoor: Set trends with their tailored suits and Nehru jackets.
- Dev Anand: Famous for his stylish scarves and hats.
3. Costume Designers:
- Introduction of professional costume designers who tailored outfits to suit characters and storylines, influencing everyday fashion.
1970s: The Era of Experimentation
1. Bold and Vibrant Styles:
- Zeenat Aman and Parveen Babi: Introduced Western styles like bell-bottoms, mini skirts, and bold prints.
- Hema Malini: Popularized the Anarkali suit with her role in “Dream Girl.”
2. Men’s Fashion:
- Amitabh Bachchan: His “Angry Young Man” look with bell-bottoms and fitted shirts became iconic.
- Dharmendra: Known for his rugged look with denim and leather jackets.
1980s: Glamour and Glitz
1. Disco Influence:
- Mithun Chakraborty: The disco king of Bollywood, known for his flashy costumes in films like “Disco Dancer.”
- Sridevi: Her glamorous outfits in movies like “Mr. India” set trends for sequins and shimmer.
2. Traditional Wear:
- Rekha: Known for her opulent silk sarees and heavy jewellery, influencing wedding and festive fashion.
1990s: The Rise of Designer Wear
1. Introduction of Designers:
- Manish Malhotra: Revolutionized Bollywood fashion by creating glamorous looks for actresses like Karisma Kapoor in “Raja Hindustani” and Kajol in “Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge.”
2. Fusion Fashion:
- Madhuri Dixit: Her iconic outfits in “Hum Aapke Hain Koun” blended traditional and modern styles.
- Shah Rukh Khan: Popularized casual wear like denim and leather jackets with his “cool” persona.
2000s: Global Influence
1. International Trends:
- Priyanka Chopra and Aishwarya Rai: Brought international fashion trends to Bollywood, often seen in high-end designer wear.
- Hrithik Roshan: His stylish outfits in movies like “Kaho Naa… Pyaar Hai” set trends for the youth.
2. Wedding Fashion:
- Karan Johar’s Films: Movies like “Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham” showcased elaborate wedding outfits, influencing bridal fashion across India.
2010s and Beyond : Social Media and Celebrity Influence
1. Social Media Impact:
- Bollywood celebrities became fashion influencers on platforms like Instagram, directly engaging with fans and setting trends.
2. Red Carpet Looks:
- Deepika Padukone and Sonam Kapoor: Known for their impeccable style, often seen in both traditional and international designer wear on the red carpet.
3. Sustainable Fashion:
- Increasing awareness and adoption of sustainable and eco-friendly fashion by stars like Dia Mirza and Alia Bhatt.
Fashion Shows
Fashion weeks in India have been some of the popular events. Some of them would be:
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Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week
The Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week (WIFW) is also one of the well-liked bi-annual Indian fashion events, famous for presenting summer and winter clothing collections.
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India Bridal Fashion Week
The Indian Bridal Fashion Week is one of the famous fashion events which is held twice a year.
The ramp show is a highlight of the event, showcasing the latest trends and designs.
Heritage brands, Bollywood superstars, and fashion trendsetters are all regular participants at the India Bridal Fashion Week.
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Van Heusen India Men’s Week
India’s first show exclusively devoted to displaying men’s fashion, the Van Heusen India Men’s Week was started in 2009 following a tie-up between leading lifestyle brand, Van Heusen, and the FDCI.
Designers
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Sabyasachi Mukherjee
Sabyasachi is a name that resonates with bridal wear in India. Every Indian bride wants to dress up in Sabyasachi, and that’s like taking your wedding to a whole new level.
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Manish Malhotra
A man who is known for dressing up many of our Bollywood stars both in their reel and real life.His instincts work in tandem with his creativity which is a combination you don’t see quite Manish Malhotra often.
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Ritu Kumar
Ritu started her career forty years ago with a modest set up of four hand block printers and just one table in a small village near Calcutta. Progressive, traditional and contemporary is what her label is about.
She has been awarded the prestigious ‘Indira Gandhi Priyadarshini Award’ for her contribution in the field of fashion.
Fashion among students
NIFT ( National Institute of Fashion Technology) is the biggest fashion schools in India .
Currently NIFT has 18 campuses in India and has produced many eminent alumni over the years like Rohit Bal , Ritu Beri and Manish Malhotra .
Fashion although not chosen by most people in India as they think it might not have scope in India , but it is still a well known career.
Modelling
Modeling career in India is a lucrative and glamorous option available for youth. With the growth in consumerism and a vast expansion of the fashion industry in India, modelling has come up as an exciting and attractive profession.
Fashion Magazines
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Vogue India
Vogue is one of the famous fashion magazines in India.
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Elle Magazine
Elle is a french fashion magazine that throws light on all aspects of fashion, health, beauty and travel across the globe.
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Harper’s Bazaar India
Harper’s Bazaar magazine is one of the best selling fashion magazines in India as well as globally. Some of the well-known women featured in the cover magazine include PV Sindhu, Priyanka Chopra, Sonam Kapoor and Kareena Kapoor.
In conclusion , Indian Fashion is filled with culture and tradition. it is still evolving , and will continue to produce new styles.
Author : Yashika Apoorva