History of Indian fashion by tamanna sharma

HISTORY OF INDIAN FASHION:

In ancient times, Indian clothes were mainly made from locally grown cotton during the Indus valley civilisation. People from the rich and affluent communities wore clothes like saree worn by women made from local fibres. Women wore knee-length skirts with bangles, necklecs, earings, anklets, rings, etc. made from silver, copper, gold and stones like turquiorise, quartz etc. The men draped on turbans on their heads while kings and priest put on robes. Mens also loved to adorn themselves with jewellery just like their women. 

Vedic Fashion:

During this period, women wraped themselves with single cloth over their shoulder similar to clothes worn by the Iranian and Greek women. A lower pleated garment was wrapped around their waist with belt and a shawl fabric the shoulders. Pravana was the garment worn underneath during the cold seasons. both men and women wore these clothes. The only difference is of the size and style of wearing.

Mughal Fashion:

During the Mughal Empire, the king Akbar influenced the people dress with his distinct style of dressing. It was a combination of Hindu and Muslim culture and arts. He dressed in simple turban with a gemstone, a long kurta with a jacket which can be seen in the sherwani designs. He donned fine Jewellery in the form of pearl strings, heavy rings, that symbolized his royal status and an emerald waistband. His wife Jodha had Exquiste taste in fashion from her loyal Attries like lehenga choli to her fine taste in jewellery that still inspires bridal fashion designers today. 

 

Post Independent Indian Fashion:

Indian fashion has evolved to leave a distinctive mark on the world of fashion throughout the world. Even the traditional clothes like the saree, Ghagra choli or dhoti still remain popular in the fashion scene. Indian fashion is most famous for its intricate embroidery designs on dresses, saris, skirts or shorts that have also Incorporated western fashion. Ritu kumari is an Indian designer and textile print expert revived hand - block printing in Bengal where she used to do Embriodery-used in the Mughal era on royal costumes-on her garments.

This revived the embroidery art that has now become the trademark fashion, especially in designing wedding gowns. This paved way to NGOS coming in to revive the tie dye, weaving, embriodery and printing techniques that had been long forgetten.

Bollywood Fashion: 

In the 1960s Bollywood become the trendsetter in fashion till to the date. Later in the 50s, western culture was incorporated in cinema that was displayed through the change of clothes worn by the actors/actresses. Indian fashion designers are now coming up with the clothes that have a modern, chic and stylish look. With the liberalisation of the Indian economy, the Indian Fashion industry has experienced tremendous growth both in the domestic market and internationally. Indian designs are   now sort out after in western countries than before. Some of the traditional clothes have been modernised to suit the modern market.

• The saree is the most loved and well-known Indian design. It is simple, elegant, and can be worn by young and old women alike. A saree can be worn to different occasions from weddings, casual, formal, or traditional ceremonies.
  
  
  
• The kurtis can be worn as a dress and accessories with the jewellery , belt and flat shoes, if you are going for a formal look or pair it with a lehenga to give it that stylish, sophisticated edge. There are different dresses with a modern design at Style carte that you can check out.
  
  
  
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• Lehenga is a beautiful skirt that is authentic Indian look with a western touch. This can be wore at occasions by women in our culture.
  
  
  
• Pallazo pants are traditional Indian pants that have a flared look bottom. Fashion designers have come up with the different designs that give it that sophiscated look.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• The sherwani jacket is embriodered to give you that authentic Indian look with a western touch. this is a favourite jacket loved by the men.