indian wear – That Madras Mom

April 26, 2023

W in Indian women fashion

Being a land of diverse cultures and traditions, it all reflects Indian women’s fashion. The color white holds a special place among designs, patterns, and colors. White reflects purity and elegance. Though in some traditions white reflects sadness and sorrow, some do associate the color with happy occasions.

A universally liked color, this color exists in the wardrobes of both men and women. Being versatile, it can be styled with both light and dark shades. Be it weddings or cocktail parties white is a great choice for choosing your attire.
There was a season when white replaced pinks and reds.

Alia bhatt’s lehenga was the talk of the town, the white lehenga that was layered with sheer and had silver thread work caught everyone’s attention that brides to become in favor of the humble color for their choice of wedding attire.

Sara Ali Khan flaunted a lehenga choli that had floral embroidery in pink and was embellished with mirror work over white fabric that gave a grandeur look.

On that note when we talk about the trends in W, I thought I’d also give a couple of wedding trends for lehengas because we are talking about ‘W’.

Light gold lehenga: A great choice of color for lehenga that can be apt for weddings to after parties. This color will give you the versatility to pair up with any color of your choice later when you choose to reuse this outfit for any other occasion. Not only that just change the accessories and tada you are ready to rock the party and even traditional rituals.

Multicolored embroidery: These levels up the lehenga game and it gives you a different dimension. It makes your outfit extra luxurious when you play with a myriad of colors on your outfit.

Emerald green: the color of hope and love, it is a rich color that goes well with gold jewellery.

Ombre choice: For brides who get confused if they should go for pastel shades or dark, the ombre is a great solution.

Color blocking: Gone are the days when wedding attire is monotone, the concept of color blocking is great when you want to play with shades of light and dark.

This post is part of #blogchatterA2Z 2023.

April 25, 2023April 25, 2023

V in Indian women fashion

Timeless elegance and modern sensibilities are the fusion element in Indian women’s fashion. Indian women’s fashion has evolved over the history of 1000 years and is still adapting to the changes keeping its uniqueness.

Venkatagiri weave

With a history that spans a thousand years, the Venkatagiri weave originated in the town of Venkatagiri in the state of Andhra Pradesh. Known for elegance and intricacy it has a special place in the history of textiles. It continues to thrive as a symbol of cultural heritage and is also loved by connoisseurs of handloom.

The fine cotton threads are woven with unique precision which is the beauty of the weave. A blueprint is initially made with a design chart which is transferred to the loom and which is woven into the fabric with cotton threads. The jamdani technique of weaving being adapted to make little motifs is the highlight here. These small motifs are done by hand mechanically and require a lot of precision with gold or silver threads which add more beauty to this weave.

The history can be traced back to the 18th century to the reign of the Venkatagiri Nayakas who were the local rulers at the time. The weavers were encouraged to weave intricate pieces for the royal court and it was a symbol of wealth and status as it became popular with the aristocratic group. It is recognized with the Geographical indication tag by the Government for its authenticity.

Vaira oosi

With intricate needlework and vibrant colors the vaira oosi holds a special place in the hearts people of Tamilnadu and is cherished by saree lovers. The precise intricate needlework that resembles the diamond needle brought the artwork the name, vaira oosi which literally means diamond needle.
It is mainly done on cotton and silks and the shine it brings out when light falls on the fabric is mind blowing.

This post is part of #blogchatterA2Z 2023.

April 24, 2023

U in Indian women fashion

The Indian women’s fashion trend depends on weaves and garments and how women carried themselves. Women in films whom I would say were the first role models we look up to even today for fashion inspiration. Though at times like today, we have social media at our fingertips, when we refer to a trend, we most often mention the name of the celebrity who sported it.

Urmila Matondkar

The ‘Rangeela’ girl as we know her made all of us even women who went in awe looking at her on screen. Be it her beauty or hair, the costumes she wore had a lot to speak about. Manish Malhotra, the designer also mentioned that there were copies of her costumes post that movie on every street. The movie that made him win the Designer of the Year award. Her designs in the movie ushered in fashion trends and became a style statement.

The peplum skirt, knotted tops, black saree, and red leggings were an instant hit among the womenfolk of the country. Her smart casuals looked very glamorous and became a trendsetter. Her gharchola and the bandhani in the song made the weave much more famous and preferred for the ghaghra. Her tangerine skater skirts, the pleated skirts were such a hit. Though it is nearly 28 years since the movie was released, the trends she set are still timeless and are great fashion inspiration for a confident woman.

Uppada

Tracing back its origin to the 18th century, when the country was ruled over by the East India Company, the weave is from the Uppada town in Andhra Pradesh. A traditional handloom technique is known for its intricate designs and fine texture; the weave is a testimony to skilled craftsmen.

The Weaver population from Uppada migrated to Peddapuram where they happened to learn the weave of Jamdani from the Bengali weavers. They incorporated their techniques into jamdani which brought out a new weave called the Uppada. It is lightweight and the sheer texture gives a grandeur look and is most sought after for making traditional garments.

The weavers take great pride in their artistry which is time-consuming, complicated, and labor-intensive. A diverse range of patterns with motifs that include nature and geometric designs in vibrant colors make the weave unique. Gold and silver zari threads are used for extra richness to the woven fabric. The intricate designs and elaborate borders on the pallu are the highlight of the uppada weave. The metallic thread in the body adds grandeur to the fabric.

Another unique feature is the texture of this weave which is lustrous and has a sheen which is because the warp is made of pure mulberry silk and the weft is a combination of silk and cotton that is responsible for the shine.
The uppada weave has received the GI tag from the Government for its uniqueness and authenticity which is another reason for its boost in the global retail market. It is a weave that is cherished by the connoisseurs of handloom textiles and is even passed through generations as an heirloom.

This post is part of #blogchatterA2Z 2023.

April 22, 2023

T in Indian women fashion

From vibrant, colorful lehengas to elegant sarees, and trendy kurtas, Indian women’s fashion caters to every occasion and taste. Indian women’s fashion is a cultural phenomenon celebrated across the world and not just only a source of our national pride.

Tanchoi

Tracing back its origin to Varanasi in the 19th century the tanchoi weave was introduced by the Persians who migrated during the period of emperor Akbar. Luxurious silk fabric is known for its distinct weave and ornate designs that are rich. It is a favored choice among the royals for its look and feels.
The floating warp technique is used to weave on satin. There is an intricate embroidery of patterns and motifs with colorful silk threads. A labor-intensive and time-consuming art, the tanchoi weave is a meticulous process that requires a lot of patience and skill.

The motifs in the intricate designs are inspired by nature, mythology, and folklore. The symmetry, boldness, and precision are evident in the intricate patterns that are woven. The hues and shades are usually contrasting with zari and meenakari embellishments. Dyed with a wide range of colors like jewel tones, earthy tones, and pastel shades the tanchoi is mesmerizing. This unparalleled beauty is a masterpiece of Indian textile art.

Tangaliya

Tracing its origin back to the Dang region in the western state of Gujarat, the tangaliya is known for its vibrant colors and unique motifs. The tangaliya was practiced by the Bhil tribe from the region who were known for their weaving skills. Known for its bright colors like oranges, red, green, blue, and yellow from natural dyes the resulting fabric is stunning and depicts the cultural ethos of Gujarat.

Telia rumal

Tracing the origin back to the 16th century during the reign of Qutub shahi dynasty in Telangana, the telia rumal or putta rumal is a tie and dye technique known for its vibrant colors. The fabric is woven in a pit loom using the resist dyeing technique known for bright colors that are derived from natural sources like pomegranate peels, turmeric, indigo, and madder.

The telia rumal apart from being a cultural recognition has also found its place in contemporary fashion that it is used in making shawls, stoles, and scarves.

This post is part of #blogchatterA2Z 2023.

April 21, 2023

S in Indian women fashion

A vibrant and diverse tapestry of culture, heritage, and style is what Indian Women’s fashion is about. The defining aspect of Indian women’s fashion is the diversity of traditional clothing that varies across geography.

Salwar Kameez

The history dates to the Mughal era in the 16th to 19th century and consists of tunic and loose-fitting pants. Often has embroideries and embellishments to make it look more elegant. Paired with a dupatta it adds a touch of elegance and can be draped across the shoulder or over the head. The comfort it offers is the key reason that most people prefer to wear the salwar kameez. It is apt for hot and humid climate because of the loose fit of the pant that allows ample movement.

It suits all body types and is versatile to be worn for any occasion. It holds significant cultural and regional significance. The same salwar kameez has different distinctions across geography. For example, in Punjab, it is of vibrant colors and in Lucknow, it has chikankari work.

Sambalpuri ikkat

A traditional textile art that originates from Odisha is the Sambalpuri ikkat. Intricate patterns and vibrant colors make it a unique tie-and-dye textile art that has rich cultural significance. It involves a complicated process of resist dyeing that is done before weaving onto the fabric. The process is labour-intensive and requires skill and precision. The intricate patterns have motifs inspired by nature, geometric designs, and symbols depicting tradition. The colors used are vibrant and are derived from natural dyes.

It has a great impact on the economy of the weaving community of Odisha, apart from being of cultural significance. The skill is passed across generations and is a form of livelihood for the people of Odisha, contributing to the socio-economic development of the state.

Siddhipet Golabhamma

Originating from the town of Siddhipet in the Telangana district, it is a mesmerizing art form that is being passed down through generations carrying the essence of the culture of Telangana. Gola bhamma translates to round mother which signifies the round circular motifs that are characteristic of the art form. An eco-friendly and sustainable form of art, it is made using dye from plants, seeds, and minerals.

The circular motifs drawn are by freehand without any template or stencils. The patterns are eye-catching and vibrant depicting subjects from nature, folklore, and mythology.

This post is part of #blogchatterA2Z 2023.

April 17, 2023

O in Indian women fashion

An essential part of Indian culture and worn on various occasions, the ornaments are important and play a significant role in Indian Women’s fashion trends. In ancient times, the ornaments decided the status, wealth, and power of the people who adorned them. In changing times, designs and styles have evolved a lot and become an integral part of Indian culture.

Embellishments, vibrant colors, and intricate designs have made Indian women’s fashion trends famous. The beauty and charm of an Indian outfit are enhanced when Jewelry or ornament is added as an element, Gold, diamond, platinum, silver, and stones are the variety of materials that have been used to craft Indian ornaments. What makes the jewelry or ornament very special is the story behind it, which makes it unique.

A necklace worn by married women, the mangalsutra is the most popular ornament. The ornament is made of gold and has black beads, which symbolize the bond between the married couple. Being considered a sacred symbol of marriage, the mangalsutra is also a vital part of Indian culture.

The nose ring comes in a variety of designs, and sizes embellished with stone, the nose ring is also a popular ornament. Known to be considered a symbol of married status, the nose ring is nowadays being worn by adolescent girls. It is also considered that wearing a nose ring enhances a women’s facial features.

Worn in the wrists and made of gold, silver, or glass the bangle is a popular Indian ornament. They enhance an outfit instantaneously if paired properly. The bangle is usually worn in sets and adds beauty to the outfit. It is also considered that the sound from bangle is auspicious and especially worn by pregnant ladies as part of ceremonies to let the child identify the mother with the sound from bangles.

Varied in sizes, and designs and often studded with stones or made of intricate designs the earring is one of the most sought-after ornaments. They enhance the beauty of the women flaunting them. It is considered an essential part of a woman’s wedding. Women have often resorted to multiple piercings to enhance their beauty.

Anklet is an ornament worn around the leg and is considered to elevate the look of an ethnic outfit. It is mostly made of silver but it can also be worn in gold. Embellishments can be added like stones, danglers, or even enamel pieces.

Statement jewelry is now the talk of the town and is becoming increasingly popular, wearing ornament pieces that are unique and make a bold outlook can enhance the outfit of the wearer. These jewelry pieces add a contemporary touch when ethnic wear is worn.

Whether it is a mangalsutra or bangles, nose ring, or even earrings and anklets, ornaments are ssure to enhance the outfit and will continue to be an evolving fashion trend for women.

This post is part of #blogchatterA2Z 2023.