The Land Of Fashion
Fashion is a style which we express ourselves, especially in clothing, accessories, footwear, makeup, and so on. It is ll about expressing your identity, showing others who you are, what are your choices and tastes that tells something about you and your personality.
When you dress to reflect your ethnicity, you are proudly celebrating who you are and expressing the valuable cultural roots.
Indian clothing varies by region and religion. You can see most Indians slip into their ethnic attire (be it sari, kurta pajama or dhoti) during the special occasions and the festivity time.
The Fashion Of North India
In Jammu and Kashmir colorful Pherans and Shawls are worn by women, which are popular for the intricate embroidery styles and the stuff they are made of. They cover their heads with well-tucked embroidered scarves. It is said that a Kashmiri dress is incomplete without the accessories that comprise Kashmiri ear-rings known as Jhumkis or Chand-baale. The men wear long robes made of pure wool known as Goucha, which is tightened at the waist.
In Haryana, women wear short Ghaghras or skirts, Kurtis and Chunder or Chunris to go well with
them. These Chunders may be of various colors, and tucked with lovely laces. They are used to cover the head which is a ‘Riwaaz’ for married women here. The men wear Dhoti, Kurta and Pagri. Holding their Lathh, they look typical Haryanvi. The Pagri or head gear is usually the same but is tied and worn in different ways by people of different regions and that makes it look different. Apart from these, the usual lehengas and ghagras and lachas are also worn.
South Indian’s Style
The clothing styles of all the states of south-India is almost the same. The traditional costumes for women in Kerala are white colored silk sari with broad golden zari border. As the trends have been changing now, the people wear lots of colors and designs. Men wear Lungis and shirt or short Kurta. On special occasions they wear Mundu and Neriathu which match with the female costume in white color and golden zari border.
Most south-Indian women wear Kanchipuram silk sarees that look beautiful with bright borders and heavy gold work. Cotton, chiffon and crepe are also worn by the women.
The West Indian Trend
Rajasthan is also known for an opulent sense of colors as seen in their lively and radiant costumes. Unlike the sombre and sandy backdrop, the amazing mirror, bead and stone-work on them make them dazzle reflecting a wide array of colors.
Rajasthani women also wear Bandhini tie-n-dye sarees. They wear head to toe ornaments like Maang-teeka, Matha-patti, Rakhdi or Ghundi for forehead, Kanthi for neck area, Pajeb or anklets, Arsi or ring and Kanghan or bangles.
In rural parts of Gujarat, the men wear cotton-made Chorno or shorts that are worn as lower and Angarakhu the upper clothing. Along with this, they wear thickly folded turban that is called as Phento. Women wear the heavily embroidered Chaniyo the petticoat and equally embroidered bodice known as Choli. They cover their head and upper body with Odhni the colored piece of cloth. They also wear saris in colorful Gujarati prints.
The East Indian’s Cult
The traditional costumes of north-east India comprising of Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Manipur, Tripura, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh, are far different from that of rest of India. Women in Assam wear special Assam silk sarees.
Manipuri women wear Innaphi the shawl, a wrap-around called Phanek and a hard-stuff skirt called as Sarong.
In Meghalaya, the Garo tribal women wear an unstitched cloth known as Jainsen and a wrap-around.
The Mizo women wear bright-colored Puan that looks like regular churidaar-kurta. For weddings, they wear Puanchei. They wear head-dress in dance performances.
Conclusion
With a wide range of costumes that people wear in India, the fashion trends about western outfits have been bringing about several changes in clothing style. Yet, the traditional wears are seen during special occasions like festivals and marriages, and in villages. The explicit artwork on these costumes makes them unique. No matter how westernized we may turn, our traditional outfits have always enticed and will stay in demand even among people across the borders and seas!
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