Indian Clothing - Shalwar Kameez or Salwar Kameez, Saree & Choli
The latest designer shows from Armani, Fendi, and Miyake all draw on elements from the exotic Indian culture. In Paris Dries Van Noten, one of the new fashion leaders and member of the so-called Belgian Four, presented a collection of layered chiffon wraps, dresses, saree, and kurta look-alikes. The color palette these western designers are drawing from is as vibrant as a Rajasthan desert at sundown, using rich golds, reds, and greens.
Indian designers like Sunita Shankar, Vandanna Roy, Ritu Beri, Monisha Jaising, Ravi Bajaj and Krishna Mehta are leading the way in redefining Indian fashion. Rohit Bal presented his latest collection, Sanskrit, at a New York benefit gala organized by Children's Hope, and stunned the audience with exquisite embroidery, beadwork, and tie-dye fashions with a decidedly Indian flair.
Many U.S. design companies are taking Indian fashion and transforming it for western audiences. Silk Threads in Dallas, TX is a premier provider of dresses based on Indian design.
About Traditional Indian Clothing
Indian people express themselves a great deal through their clothing. Their spiritual quest for perfection plays a role in their choices of beautifully colored, dramatic, and flowing garments. The styles speak to the spirit with sumptuous, vibrant colors woven into the intricate and ornate designs to be found resonating throughout India.
Started as an alternative dress form in Kashmir and Punjab, it has grown in popularity all over India and in all the muslim countries of the world, especially with younger women. With Celebrities like Goldie hawn, Sally field, Hillary Clinton, Jeniffer Lopez and the Late Princess Diana adorning the Salwar(Shalwar) kameez at high profile events, this garment is the clearly the current flavour in the West. Salwars are pajama-like trousers gathered at the waist and ankles, worn underneath a long, loose tunic known as a kameez.
Some tips on Salwar Kameez.
The kameez should be a little longer in height. It makes you look taller. If your height is around 5 feet 3 inches then your kameez height should be around 47- 48 inches.
If you have broad shoulders then avoid wearing puffed sleeves.
If you have fat arms and therefore cannot wear sleeveless then go in for sleeves of about 5 inches length. This will hide the flab on your arms and your hands will look thinner.
Salwar or shalwar can be worn in many styles. Styles keep changing with Trends. Recently big bottoms were in fashion and now short Kurtas Are back in vogue. Keep checking our New Arrivals - Salwar Kameez section to get A feel of the current trends.
Chudidar looks good on long kameezs or Kurtas.
Avoid wearing them on short Kurtas. Chinese collar (closed neck) makes you look tall, but avoid it if you have broad shoulders.
Wear a shalwar around your naval area, as it will pull in your stomach.
If you have the tie strings on your side, it reduces the look of the paunch.
Tucks might be out of fashion but they give a very good cut to the Kameez.
Avoid Organza or any stiff cloth if you want to look slimmer.
Dark colours like maroon, red, blue or brown look very good on dark women.
Saree
The saree is an extremely versatile garment. It simply consists of a single, rectangular piece of material, five to six yards in length, accommodating any size. The style, color, and texture of this material vary according to region and caste. Different draping styles convey the status, age, occupation, region, and/or religion of the wearer.
The kameez should be a little longer in height. It makes you look taller. If your height is around 5 feet 3 inches then your kameez height should be around 47- 48 inches.
If you have broad shoulders then avoid wearing puffed sleeves.
If you have fat arms and therefore cannot wear sleeveless then go in for sleeves of about 5 inches length. This will hide the flab on your arms and your hands will look thinner.
Salwar or shalwar can be worn in many styles. Styles keep changing with Trends. Recently big bottoms were in fashion and now short Kurtas Are back in vogue. Keep checking our New Arrivals - Salwar Kameez section to get A feel of the current trends.
Chudidar looks good on long kameezs or Kurtas.
Avoid wearing them on short Kurtas. Chinese collar (closed neck) makes you look tall, but avoid it if you have broad shoulders.
Wear a shalwar around your naval area, as it will pull in your stomach.
If you have the tie strings on your side, it reduces the look of the paunch.
Tucks might be out of fashion but they give a very good cut to the Kameez.
Avoid Organza or any stiff cloth if you want to look slimmer.
Dark colours like maroon, red, blue or brown look very good on dark women.
Saree
The saree is an extremely versatile garment. It simply consists of a single, rectangular piece of material, five to six yards in length, accommodating any size. The style, color, and texture of this material vary according to region and caste. Different draping styles convey the status, age, occupation, region, and/or religion of the wearer.
Some Tips on: Saree
Buying a Saree :
Women on heavier side should buy sarees in Georgette, Chiffon or Chignon. Heavy Mysore Silk saree looks beautiful and one tends to look slimmer.
Shorter women should buy sarees with small borders or no borders. They should definitely avoid big borders as big borders make one look shorter.
Thin woman should buy Organza, Cotton, Tissue and Tussar Saree. These Sarees gives a fuller effect.
In printed Saree, avoid big prints, as it gives a gaudy and a huge look.
Delicate print on a Saree, gives a delicate look. Dark skin color women should generally buy dark colours like maroon, green, dark pink etc.
Women on heavier side should buy sarees in Georgette, Chiffon or Chignon. Heavy Mysore Silk saree looks beautiful and one tends to look slimmer.
Shorter women should buy sarees with small borders or no borders. They should definitely avoid big borders as big borders make one look shorter.
Thin woman should buy Organza, Cotton, Tissue and Tussar Saree. These Sarees gives a fuller effect.
In printed Saree, avoid big prints, as it gives a gaudy and a huge look.
Delicate print on a Saree, gives a delicate look. Dark skin color women should generally buy dark colours like maroon, green, dark pink etc.
Draping a Saree :
In office Pinup your Saree, this looks smart and is manageable too.
For an outing or a function, just pinup the tip of the saree and let the rest fall on your hand. This gives a very graceful look. But of course the Saree should have a good fall.
Cotton, Tissue or any starched Saree should be ironed properly and at the time of draping, the pleats should be done with your hands pressing and shaping it properly.
Put the pin on the back shoulder as this keeps the saree intact and does not show the pin too.
Don't wear a very flared petticoat inside.
Choli:
The tightly fitted complimentary colored, short blouse worn under a saree is a choli. Originally, cholis only covered the front, now they have evolved to include versions covering front and back to midriff. The traditional form is still commonly worn in Rajastan.
Lehanga:
This is a pleated skirt worn mostly in Rajastan. Worn with a choli, it is secured at the waist, leaving the back and midriff bare. A length of fine cotton called a dupatta, completes the ensemble, covering the head.
In office Pinup your Saree, this looks smart and is manageable too.
For an outing or a function, just pinup the tip of the saree and let the rest fall on your hand. This gives a very graceful look. But of course the Saree should have a good fall.
Cotton, Tissue or any starched Saree should be ironed properly and at the time of draping, the pleats should be done with your hands pressing and shaping it properly.
Put the pin on the back shoulder as this keeps the saree intact and does not show the pin too.
Don't wear a very flared petticoat inside.
Choli:
The tightly fitted complimentary colored, short blouse worn under a saree is a choli. Originally, cholis only covered the front, now they have evolved to include versions covering front and back to midriff. The traditional form is still commonly worn in Rajastan.
Lehanga:
This is a pleated skirt worn mostly in Rajastan. Worn with a choli, it is secured at the waist, leaving the back and midriff bare. A length of fine cotton called a dupatta, completes the ensemble, covering the head.
