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.
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.
Shalwar Kameez or Salwar Kameez:
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.
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.
 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.
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