dupatta

An essential part of the country’s rich cultural heritage especially when keeping in mind fashion, ethnic wear, and jewelry are things that hit the chord. Especially in a diverse country like India which has a rich cultural history you are limitless with the options you have when it comes to dressing up and following it up with accessories. Let us look at some of the famous ethnic dresses and jewelry in Indian women’s fashion.

When you turn back and look you may notice a wide range of styles, patterns, and designs when it comes to ethnic wear. Be it the fabric, the craftsmanship involved in weaving, the type of occasion whatsoever, you name it, and Tada! You have a dress and a matching accessory. Snap and which land are you in? Well, the answer can be said out loud beaming with pride that it’s India.

From Sarees, salwars, kurtas, lehengas, and half sarees Indian ethnic wear for women has a never-ending list of options. Each of these has a unique charm and adds beauty to the person who wears it.

Saree

The saree is a long piece of fabric that is draped around the body and paired with a blouse. Depending upon the place of living, and type of occasion the saree is available in a variety of materials and there is one for everyone. There are silk sarees for weddings, cotton sarees for everyday wear, and georgette sarees for a party. Embellished with sequins or stones the sarees are made to look more grandeur.

Pairing them with different blouses ranging from halter necks to tank tops gives you a truckload of options for fusion wear. Leave the blouse pairing, the type of drape is a whole new chapter that will give you ideas to drape the same saree in about 20+ styles without making people guess that you’re wearing the same thing over and over again.

Wait, and don’t worry if you can’t get the drape right, we Indian women have a solution even for that. We now have businesses that sell one-minute sarees. You just must clip and swish two rounds and be done. You will look like someone who hired a professional to drape your saree. It all becomes so easy that you only have to choose the saree, give them your measurements, and in two days land your Cinderella costume. And for a bonus, some of them even come with customized blouses how cool is that? And if your curves give you insecurity worry not, you have saree shapewear that literally will make you go unrecognizable.

Salwar kameez

A tunic paired with loose-fitting pants makes it a breezy garment. Most women resort to this for everyday wear. It comes in a variety of fabrics and different stitching styles. This can be paired with a dupatta or even a scarf.

Lehenga

Predominantly worn for special occasions like weddings, the lehenga is a long skirt paired with a blouse and a dupatta. It can be elegant and luxurious at the same time depending upon the fabric and the amount of handwork that goes into making it. Silk and luxurious fabrics are the most sought materials for a lehenga which is then embellished with stones and sequins.

Ethnic jewellery

An essential part of Indian ethnic wear and no garment is complete without pairing it with jewelry.

The usage of precious metals, intricate designs, and skilful craftsmanship in Indian jewelry is very famous throughout the world. The jewelry includes earrings, bangles, chains, necklaces, rings, toe rings , maang tikkas and anklets.

A kundan set that includes earrings, a necklace, and a maang tikka is one of the most famous jewelry forms. Glass stones that are set in gold or silver metal base make it look classy and regal.

A polki set is something similar to kundan except that instead of glass stones, this has diamonds studded, which makes it a perfect wear for special grandeur occasions like weddings. Polki sets are expensive and luxurious forms of Indian jewelry.

Indian women love to wear bangles which are like bracelets that can be made in gold, silver, glass, and lac. They come in a variety of colors and intricate patterns on them can be made to make them look grand.

Indian women also love layering up jewelry. With Short necklaces and long chains, they have a variety of options to style up depending on the neckline of the outfit they wear.
Ethnic wear dresses and jewelry reflect the diversity of our country and its rich cultural history. Indian ethnic wear is loved by women across borders and is cherished by people across the world. Indian women’s fashion is timeless, truly unique, and elegant in its own way.

This post is part of #blogchatterA2Z 2023.

Weddings, festivals, or everyday wear, Indian women’s fashion is an important part of the country’s cultural heritage. From attire to accessories, we can say it is a dynamic industry. Let us look at fashion in D.

Dhoti pants

Having its roots in traditional Indian attire, the dhoti salwar is becoming a popular fashion trend. Honoring the cultural heritage but also wanting to have a chic and trendy look, fashion-conscious women have found a way to interpret traditional attire.

Typically worn by men in India, across centuries the dhoti is everyday wear but also makes its way to weddings depending on the fabric with which it is draped. Combining the comfort and fluidity of dhoti but maintaining the structure of a pant, the dhoti pants for women is undoubtedly one of the most versatile garments ever. With an elasticated waistband, it is suited for all body types and can be made in silk, linen, or cotton with vibrant colors and intricate patterns.

Its versatility is boundless that you can pair it with a t-shirt or tank top for a casual look, a kurta, and a heel for a formal look which makes it great for fusion wear. The loose and airy fit is great for the humid climate and makes it easy to move which makes it a great comfort wear.

It can also be layered with a jacket and sweaters with scarves to be worn during winter. So typically, the dhoti pants can be worn all through the year, depending on how you pair them with.

A rectangular piece of cloth that is an essential part of Indian tradition, the dupatta can be traced back to ancient India where it was worn for modesty and dignity. Elders considered it as a mark of respect when women wore it over their heads. It also gives an aesthetic appeal and is made from cotton, chiffon, silk, and georgette with intricate patterns embellished with stones and embroidery.

It is an essential component for most Indian attires like salwar, lehenga, and even sarees. It can be draped over the head, or the shoulders and sometimes even as a veil covering the face. While silk dupattas are reserved for weddings, cotton is preferred for everyday wear. It can be plain for everyday wear or embellished with stones or embroidery to give a touch of elegance.

Dhonekali weave

Originating in the state of Odisha, the Dhonekali weave has a long and rich history that dates to the 5th century rule of Bhaumakara dynasty. Typically used to weave garments for weddings like saree for women and dhoti for men, the dhonekali is a technique that has a distinctive pattern.

Being passed down through generations the weave uses a hand-operated loom and uses a technique called dobby, which involves dobby bars which are wooden sticks to make intricate patterns. It also uses a special yarn katki which is twisted to create a stronger yarn and then dyed with colors to make intricate patterns.

An important part of Odisha’s cultural heritage, it is also a symbol of prestige and status, since it was worn during ceremonies. Not only garments, the weave also found its place in temples as prayer mats and wall hangings.