We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Culture

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What are the Different Types of Indian Apparel?

Diana Bocco
By
Updated: May 23, 2024
Views: 15,834
Share

Clothing in India is colorful and diverse, and it varies according to region and religion. The basic Indian apparel for women consists of a sari, a long piece of unstitched fabric that is wrapped around the waist and then draped over the shoulder. A typical sari can be up to nine yards (about eight meters) in length and may be made from a variety of materials, from plain cotton to silk embroidered with metallic gold.

Saris are worn with a tight-fitting blouse called a choli, another staple of Indian apparel. Cholis are cropped and have a low neck, revealing the midriff and upper chest. Because the traditional choli is worn without a bra, many come with padding or a soft, sewn-in brassiere for support.

The second most common type of Indian apparel for women is the salwar-kameez, a set of baggy, wide-legged trousers and a long shirt or tunic. The traditional salwar-kameez is cut straight, with a simple cut on the side seams to allow movement. Modern clothing is much less modest than traditional clothing, and kameez are now being made with plunging necklines and deeper side cuts, and even in semi-transparent fabrics. The dupatta, a large scarf that is used as a shawl, is also a typical piece of women's apparel. Dupattas are worn over the salwar-kameez or used to cover the head for religious reasons.

The typical Indian apparel for men consists of a dhoti, which is a variation of the sari. Dhotis are wrapped between the legs, tucked in the waist, and worn with a long shirt, called a kurta, on top. The combination is usually known as dhoti kurta and is worn in all formal occasions and settings. In large cities, many professionals wear trousers and shirts when working in office settings.

Many Indian teenagers have moved away from traditional Indian clothing and now wear jeans or dresses. Children in general, but especially boys, usually wear Western clothing.

Jewelry is a big part of Indian apparel. Forehead ornaments, earrings, nose rings, and ankle bracelets are common for all women, while married women also wear toe rings.

Share
CulturalWorld.org is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Diana Bocco
By Diana Bocco
Diana Bocco, a versatile writer with a distinct voice, creates compelling long-form and short-form content for various businesses. With a data-focused approach and a talent for sharing engaging stories, Diana’s written work gets noticed and drives results.
Discussion Comments
By anon228496 — On Nov 08, 2011

Can you tell me how different types of salwar are made?

By darianjohn — On Jun 23, 2011

Bridal lehenga and wedding saris are mostly popular worldwide.

By CopperPipe — On Oct 08, 2010

I need some advice -- I've been invited to a traditional Indian wedding, but I have absolutely no idea what the traditional Indian wedding apparel is.

Everything I see from a google search just shows what the bride and groom are supposed to wear, but what about the guests?

Is there a traditional dress code for guests to a traditional Indian wedding? I would assume there would have to be, just like at Western weddings.

Can anybody enlighten me? I am desperate to show up looking like I actually know what I'm doing, but I honestly have no idea about the Indian apparel, market-wise or etiquette-wise, or in any aspect, to be perfectly honest.

Can anybody help me out?

By googlefanz — On Oct 08, 2010

Nice article, but not quite what I'm looking for. Do you have anything on American Indian apparel?

By naturesgurl3 — On Oct 08, 2010

I think Indian apparel is so gorgeous -- it's so much brighter and more colorful than so many Western fashions.

I am truly jealous to the women and men who get to wear these gorgeous clothing on a daily basis. My favorite of all time is East Indian apparel, but I really do love all of it.

I work for a textile manufacturers, so I know about all the different fabrics that go into making these clothes, and can see everybody kind of eyeing the beautiful cloth that goes to make Indian apparel. It's definitely much more eye-catching than some of the stuff we send to our Western garment importers!

Diana Bocco
Diana Bocco
Diana Bocco, a versatile writer with a distinct voice, creates compelling long-form and short-form content for various...
Learn more
Share
https://www.culturalworld.org/what-are-the-different-types-of-indian-apparel.htm
Copy this link
CulturalWorld.org, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

CulturalWorld.org, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.