 Indian
Clothing - Shalwar Kameez or Salwar Kameez, Saree &
Choli
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. 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.
Buy Salwar Kameez Online
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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