Clothing

India has been known to have wonderful dresses and costumes. Indian dressing styles are marked by many variations, both regional and religious. One is likely to witness a plethora of colors, texture and styles in Indian clothing. To a foreigner, the powerful attraction is the colorful attire of the people in India. With globalization, dresses are also getting westernized. Though the majority of the first generation Indian women wear traditional costumes, the newer generation are more experimental and wear Indian, Indo-western and Western suits. The majority of men are more comfortable in western clothing. Men from al classes and regions of India wear shirts and trousers

Clothing in India varies widely and is closely related to local culture, religion and climate.

India has been known to have wonderful dresses and costumes. Western culture is developing a grand love affair with the distinctive fashion style that is India. Along with Indian music and spirituality, Indian Clothing is having a huge impact on the mainstream identities of western style and culture. Though the majority of Indian women wear traditional costumes, the men in India can be found in more conventional western clothing. Tailored clothing is very common in India as women's blouses have to be made- to-fit. Indian fashion varies from one village to another village, from one city to another city. India's fashion heritage is rich in tradition, vibrant in colors and prepossessing. Bold colors created by the inventive drapes of these textiles catches the imagination like no other contemporary clothing.Clothing for both men and women has evolved and is keeping designers busy.

Why is Indian Clothing so popular?

Beautiful designs, luxurious fabrics and attention to detail makes our Indian clothing ideally suited for any occasion, be it an important social engagement or just simply relaxing at home in style and comfort.

Our Indian clothes are Popular with all age groups, they have been well accepted not only in the Indian market but also internationally and our designs are created keeping in mind the trends fabrics and colures of the season.

Our Indian clothes go well with regular western wear, ideal for a great unique look. They come in various lengths, sizes designs and fabrics which are suitable for all sizes.

You can be sure that Ethnic Fashions selection of Indian clothing are taken from the latest trend in Indian fashion, Some are embellished with intricate embroidered work in pleasing designs, they manage to look smart enough to be worn for casual family gatherings in the lounge, or even for an that afternoon tea session with friends in the garden.

Indian sari is the most graceful ethnic outfit that is primarily worn by Indian women.

Nothing identifies a woman as being Indian so strongly as the sari – the quintessential Indian female garment. The 6 yard, unstitched, fluid garment over and around the body, adjusted with little tucks and pulls is one of the most graceful pictures ever. “The sari undoubtedly is the most sensuous garment ever.” “And the best thing about it is that it conceals as much as it reveals.” The sari is one of the most feminine outfits ever. And that’s the secret behind its survival through various fashion eras like bell-bottoms, drainpipe and now low-rise jeans.”

Indian saree is an unstitched long piece of cloth usually five to six yards sometimes as long as nine yard. Saree is wrapped around the body with one end tied around the waist and the other end called "pallu" neatly draped over the shoulder. Sarees can be draped in a variety of styles, with each style having its own uniqueness. The basic difference lies in the manner in which the pallu is wrapped.

Pallu is meant for show and thus is decorated beautifully. Sari is worn over blouse (also known as a choli). Underneath the sari one wears a Petticoat: - a waist-to-floor length skirt, tied tightly at the waist by a drawstring. Blouse saree are usually are in silk, cotton and velvet fabric. There can be different styles of blouse cuts like boat necked, square necked, blouses with straps. Since time immemorial, Sari has been the most popular costume. It is an ideal clothing for the Indian culture, religion and climate. And is preferred by the Indian women because of the elegance and comfort it offers.

Sari fashion highlights the beauty of women in the most graceful and natural manner. Indian saris maintains the very essence of our Indian culture. Indian sarees come up in a variety of sari fabric, exquisite styles, beautiful prints, exclusive embroideries like Zari, Resham, beadwork and studded stones with a palette of rainbow colors. Designer saree is very in. Sari is a dress for all seasons and virtually all occasions. Indian Wedding saris is a super hit among brides. It is considered to be the most perfect dress for the wedding day. When worn with proper fashion accessories and jewelry, Saris can do wonders to the charm of the bride. Sari is for all-purpose - party wear, daily wear, bridal sarees and so on.

Accessories needed to be worn with a sari:

· Blouse or a choli

· Petticoat

Choli:

Choli, the tightly fitted, short blouse is worn under a sari. The choli evolved as a form of clothing in 10th century AD and the first cholis were only front covering; the back was always bare. Bodices of this type are still common in the state of Rajasthan. The choli is a tight fitting item of clothing, and adds a fashion statement to the sari. The sleeve length travels from full sleeves to half sleeves to sleeveless over a period of time. Cholis are often made of cotton or silk cloth and may or may not include a collar and sleeves. They are generally more tailored than simple knit tops, and may contain "feminine" details such as ruffles or embroidered decorations.

A choli reveals more than it conceals. Its cut, color and the way it is worn would tell you about whether the woman is casual, carefree, bold, reticent or orthodox. It is a dead giveaway of a woman's attitude and personality.

What one needs in their collection is not a particular sari but superb blouses to go with it, because the blouse can make or break the look of a sari suggestions are beautifully embroidered blouses.

Petticoat:

There is a petticoat, or a slip, which is worn under the sari that holds the sari in place. A petticoat is a skirt that is essentially worn under the sari.Petticoat is a waist to floor garment very similar to a lehenga or skirt, which is tied with the help of string or naada at the waist. A sari is wrapped over a petticoat. Petticoats are often made of cotton or polyester cloth. Usually a petticoat is of the matching color with sari. The sari is incomplete without a petticoat. The petticoat can be many in different varieties. They MUST have a firm waistband. Elastic will not do. One step on the petticoat and down comes the sari. The modern Indian petticoat is reminiscent to a skirt made up of many A-line panels. This has the advantage of giving a slim silhouette and using less fabric. The other petticoat is 4 yards of 45 wide fabric gathered onto a 3-inch wide waistband. This is the one which can be used for hot weather or when you need to walk a lot. This gives a greater movement and more air movement.

Varieties of Indian Sari:

Every region of India has developed its own unique sari style, which differs in terms of fabric and weaving style. The reservoir of sari is simply superb encompassing embroidered sari, classy silk saree and special bridal designer sarees. The exclusive range of Indian Saris includes:

Bandhani saree -
Bandhani sari is classic style of Rajasthan and Gujarat. This sari is made by hand, that involves first tying and then dying of cloth. The sari is tied and died in such a manner that it produces elaborate patterns and designs on the fabric. Rajasthan is a city of beauty and variety.

Banarsi saree -
Banarsi sari is the invention of Banaras City. The saree is popular among women and is widely appreciated an as exclusive silk sari. Banarsi silk sari's designs exhibit Mughal patterns. Banarasi sari in itself contains diverse styles like pure silk (katan), organza with zari work, georgette and shattir. Banarsi sari is ideal as a wedding sari.

Kanjeevaram silk saree -
Kanjeevaram Indian saree is one of the finest and most popular forms of silk in Tamilnadu. It uses a combination of colored threads and also has lot of zari work. Its major attractions are the beautiful tribal designs. Now focus is also on contemporary patterns. The saree has heavy gauge and is a long lasting.

Cotton printed saris -
The sheer varieties available in cotton sarees are just fabulous. They include batik work, bandhni style, block printing and hand made drawings. These saris are printed in large metropolitan cities like Bombay and Calcutta. These cities have many sari store.

Cotton handlooms -
Cotton handlooms provide us with distinctive varieties primarily - Tant, Jamdani and Baluchari Bengal Handloom sarees. These styles are known for their lightness and are very comfortable. The saree's borders exhibit works of delicate silk threadworks. Designs are simple but artistic and unique. Peacocks, floral designs, architectural drawings are major attractions of these handlooms.

Printed chiffon sarees -
Chiffon is a very durable, easy to wash fabric. Chiffon sarees comes with very colorful prints in various combinations. Very comfortable to wear and maintain.

Southern saree styles -
Southern weaves include Pochampalli, Venkatgiri, Gadwal, Guntur, Mangalpuri sarees of Andhra Pradesh, Coimbatore and Chettinad styles of Tamilnadu, Bangalore silk sari, Mysore silk sari of Karnataka. Mysore silk is one of the most popular and finest and purest forms of silk. It is undergoing a makeover with new kasuti embroidery, bandhini designs and with a palette of exciting vibrant colors. Bangalore silk is a synthetic silk sari.

Embroidered saris -
Embroidered saris are designer saris, made using different types of fabrics and designs to make this ethnic Indian attire gorgeous. The material used for the Embroidered saris is flowing and graceful. Georgette, crepe, chiffon and silks form the basis for most of their creations. Designers work on the embroidery designer Indian sari and the most suitable color combinations and materials like kundan, zari, kori, and stones are used for the embroidery.

The age old Sari has kept sari fashion popular throughout the centuries because of its total simplicity and practical comfort combined with the sense of luxury and sense of sexuality a woman experiences. The Indian sari has an ageless charm since it is not cut or tailored for a particular size.