Article: The Natural Beauty and Style of Indian Clothes

The Natural Beauty and Style of Indian Clothes
- By Ruby Andrew

Indian couture is so unique, each state of the country has its own distinct traditional clothing for men and women. Style of Indian clothing varies widely and is closely related to local culture, religion and climate. However, all types of Indian clothing look very elegant and Indians wear them with a lot of pride.

Traditional Indian clothing for women are the Saris, Salwar Kameez and Ghaghra Cholis. Traditional clothes for men are Dhoti, Lungi, Kurta etc. The natural beauty of Indian clothes is because of its hand woven textiles, rich embroidered fabrics, and authentic drapes in exclusive designs.

• List of the Indian Women Clothes 

1. The Sari 

It is a traditional garment of Indian women. It is an unstitched piece of cloth, which varies from 5 to 9 yards in length and can be worn in different styles. Sari is worn over a petticoat and a short or long sleeved midriff- baring blouse. The most common and popular way of wearing a sari is by tucking one end of it into the petticoat at the waist while major part of it is pleated neatly and tucked in the front. The remaining part of the sari is known as pallu which is taken over the shoulder. A sari comes in varied textures and styles. The materials vary from crisp cottons, rich silks to chiffons and synthetics.

2. Salwar Kameez

This outfit is second in line to the sari and is commonly worn by Indian women. This outfit has its origin from the Arabic and Persian cultures. Women all over India prefer this as it is comfortable and provides ease of movement. Salwar is a pair of loose pajamas held together with a drawstring around the waist. Kameez is a long shirt, either loose or tight fitting that comes in a straight or A-line shape. Salwar kameez comes with a dupatta, which is a long pieces of cloth to cover the bosom.

3. Lehenga Choli

Also called as a Ghagra, this Lehenga Choli is a long gathered gypsy skirt with beautiful embroidery and comes in vibrant colors. This is worn with a choli, which is a short women's blouse that shows off midriff. The lehenga choli is worn with a dupatta or odni that is also designed with intricate embroidery that compliments the lehenga choli.

• List of Indian Men's Clothes 

1. Dhoti

This is the most traditional garment of Indian males. It is a 6 yard long rectangular piece of unstitched white cloth that is wrapped around the waist and between the legs. It comes in a cream or white shades and in cotton and silk fabrics. In these modern times, one can find designer dhotis in various shades and designs. Dhoti is usually teamed with a kurta on the top.

2. Lungi

This is a piece of cloth that is sewn and worn around the waist. The common patterns of lungis are plain, checks and stripes. It is a very comfortable garment and worn by males in regions where wearing trousers all the time is not possible and comfortable. Lungis also come in extravagant silks and in various hues and shades that are commonly worn in Punjab.

Indian clothing acts as an identification and as the status of symbol. If you are planning to buy Indian clothes then you need to visit India to do the shopping for the Indian clothes. In India, there are many places to buy traditional Indian clothes where you will get high quality Indian clothes at a cheaper rates. If you are planning to visit India then you must have an Indian visa. All foreign nationals who wish to enter India are required to possess a valid national passport with a valid visa obtained from Indian high commission. You can apply for the Indian visa through online application.

Ruby Andrew’s Author Bio:
Ruby Andrew lives in Bristol, UK and is an avid reader and blogger. Since her early years she’s had a passion for writing. Her articles have been published in leading UK newspapers. Her areas of interest are food, reviews (Book/Movie), Travel, Fashion, and Lifestyle. She works as a guest blogger on her chosen areas of interest and currently writes on behalf of Indian visa.