Indian dresses are loved and adored by all. A woman in a traditional Indian dress looks not just modern and stylish, but also regal and sophisticated. No other dresses can beat the beauty of Indian dresses. Their unique and intricate design adds a distinct charm to a woman’s look. Salwar suits, Anarkali dresses, lehengas, and sarees are some of the popular styles of ethnic dresses that are widely popular among Indian women. Whether it’s a wedding or an Indian festival, a woman in traditional Indian attire looks regal and sophisticated, exuding confidence and empowerment.
In this article, we will examine some of the most iconic Indian dresses worn by Indian women on various occasions. Not only that, we will also be focusing on some of the traditional Indian attire that originated from different parts of India, each with its unique cultural significance. The Indian outfit is an epitome of tradition and culture, with a tinge of modernity mixed in. If you want to look regal and classy at a function or festival, consider opting for Indian attire this time. You will never get disappointed with it. Several websites, such as Like A Diva, come with unique collections for you, ranging from sarees to salwar kameez.
Now, let us look at 10 different styles of Indian attire that you should have in your wardrobe.
- Traditional Sarees
When discussing Indian dresses, Indian sarees are the first Indian attire that come to mind. After all, this attire itself is graceful, and when worn by a woman, she just looks heavenly and sophisticated. Sarees are of two types- traditional sarees and designer sarees. Let us first examine some of the traditional sarees that have originated from various Indian regions and cultures, and are renowned worldwide.
Katki saree and Sambalpuri saree – Originating from the state of Odisha, the Katki and Sambalpuri sarees represent the Odia culture and tradition. Both the sarees showcase the cultural aspects of the Odia people and their divine connection to Lord Jagannath. Katki saree is also known as Khandua saree. This particular saree is woven on wooden looms. The fabric used is pure cotton, and traditional silk thread is used to weave it. The motifs represent the culture of Odisha. The motifs generally used are the image of Lord Buddha, peacocks, flowers, elephants, and others. Katki sarees are primarily found in colours of red, orange, and yellow. You will discover many Oddssi dancers wearing this saree while performing on stage.
Sambalpuri saree, on the other hand, is handwoven. It involves tie-dye methods and weaving. It is woven in silk and cotton fabric. The motifs generally involve shells, wheels, and flowers in the colours of red, white, and black, which are the colours associated with Lord Jaggannath (believed to be an incarnation of Lord Vishnu).
Both the sarees, when worn, give a regal and decent look to a woman. Both sarees are meant for both casual wear and special occasions.
Banarasi Silk sarees- Just like Katki and Sambalpuri sarees, Banarasi silk saree is an epitome of beauty and grace. It represents the culture and tradition of Varanasi (UP), one of the most famous Holy places in India. It is hand-woven on a silk fabric. Various intricate designs are created on the fabric, giving the saree a stunning appearance. These exotic designs are made with the help of gold and silver threads. The motifs generally include human figures, birds, animals, flowers, and geometric patterns. Due to their heavy embellishment, these sarees are mostly preferred by brides on their wedding day.
Baluchari Silk sarees – Another beautiful gem in the world of Indian fashion, this saree is a cultural representation of West Bengal. This saree is primarily famous for its intricate designs in the pallu. The design features mythological events and scenes, which makes this saree unique. The motifs generally include birds, animals and other flora and fauna.
Kanjeevaram Silk sarees – It is an authentic and the most famous Indian attire worn mainly by women in Karnataka. The motifs generally include the image of temples, floral buttas and sometimes stripes. The pallus and borders are designed separately and joined together. Many Bollywood celebrities and famous people are generally seen wearing this saree on special occasions.
- Designer Sarees
Just as traditional sarees, designer sarees are also one of the most famous Indian dresses. These sarees are an amalgamation of tradition and modernity. They incline more towards the contemporary motifs and styles. A designer saree gives a royal and classy look to a woman. These sarees are preferred primarily on cocktail parties, reception parties and other special occasions with contemporary themes. These days, pastel-coloured designer sarees are on trend. However, bold colours like red, maroon, wine, burgundy, and purple are also among the most widely used colours for designer sarees. Just have a look at some of these sarees-
- Pherans
Pherans are traditional Indian dresses. They are the traditional dresses of women of Jammu and Kashmir. This dress comes in two variations: one worn by Hindu women of Jammu and Kashmir and the other by Muslim women of Jammu and Kashmir. The main difference is in the sleeves. Pherans worn by Hindu women consist of narrow sleeves, whereas those worn by Muslim women consist of broad sleeves, which are knee-length.
- Anarkali Suits
Anarkali suits are another important Indian outfit worn by women on different occasions. Most importantly, they do not go out of trend and can be used multiple times. They are sustainable and give a regal and sophisticated look to a woman. They come in different colours, styles, designs and fabrics. The design is either simple and minimalist or heavily embellished. Look at some of the beautiful and classy Anarkali suits-
- Salwar Suits
It is one of the most famous Indian outfits originating from the state of Punjab. Earlier worn mostly by women in Punjab, it is now worn in almost every part of India. It is an ensemble of a kurti/kameez, loose pants with vertical flares, a pair of drawstrings and a dupatta. This outfit can be worn both casually and at parties. The party wear salwar suit is heavily embellished. It is simple, comfortable and easy to wear.
- Sharara Suits
Sharara suits give a royal look to a woman. Mostly worn on a party or special occasion, this Indian attire is heavily embellished, giving a fully dressed-up look. A woman in a sharara suit looks sophisticated and majestic. It is imperative, sustainable and can be worn on multiple occasions.
- Lehenga Choli
Another most preferred Indian attire for special occasions, the Lehenga choli, makes a woman look royal and heavenly. It has both a traditional version and a contemporary version. It is an ensemble of a blouse/choli, an ethnic skirt and a dupatta. It is either heavily embellished or is simple with minimal work. The contemporary designer lehengas version features ruffles and flares along with jackets and waist belts, providing a modern and artistic look.
- Chaniya Choli
Preferred for the festival of Navratri, the chaniya choli is typically worn by Gujarati women. It is heavily embellished, with mostly heavy embroidery work done on the fabric. The dupatta is worn as a veil. This attire comes in bold and vibrant colours.
- Ethnic Skirts
Indian ethnic skirts are similar to those of lehengas or ghagras. However, these lightweight ethnic skirts are in trend for casual wear. They can be worn anytime, anywhere, in style. Over time, these skirts have evolved and incorporated contemporary and modern themes. They can be simply worn with a white formal or casual shirt, an ethnic crop top, or a simple western crop top in black or white. They come in different colours, prints, styles and lengths.
- Ethnic Gowns
A fusion of both Indian and Western styles, these gowns are also known as Indo-Western gowns. These gowns are a fusion of tradition and modernity. Essentially, Western gowns are given an upgrade with Indian style and culture. With heavily embellished traditional and embroidery work, these outfits get an Indian taste. Paired with modern accessories, it will give a gorgeous, glamorous and slay look to a woman.
Summing Up
Indian dresses are royal and sophisticated. Whether they are Anarkali dresses, salwar suits, traditional sarees, or designer sarees, over time, they continue to evolve, always coming up with new and fresh motifs, themes, and designs.
