Due to climate and cultural traditions, residents in various Indian states wear distinct clothing styles. Everyday female dresses include salwar kameez and saree while men often sport kurta, dhoti or lungi garments.
Tripuri people wear exceptional attire, which includes two garments: an upper garment called Pheran that can reach mid-thigh or calf length and a lower garment known as Sherdukpen (a lower garment with sleeves that encase yak hair for decoration as a headdress). They also often sport Sherdukpen skull caps, which contain yak hair as a headdress.
Jat
Jats are an ethnic group primarily found in northern India. Generally known for being farmers and herders, Jats are also famed for their embroidery work and high illiteracy rates in rural areas; Muslim Jats have even earned praise for their bravery during battle.
The Jats are organized into hundreds of patrilineage gotras or clans under an elected leader whose word is law. When conflicts arise, it’s settled by elders within their community; marriage between people of different gotras is strictly forbidden – such as when Jat girls marry non-Jat boys, which would cause shame to their families.
Jat women traditionally dress in traditional Jat attire: the Ghagra, shirt, and printed Odhni (headgear). A Ghagra resembles a gown-like skirt reaching up to ankle level with full sleeves and reaching to ankle level; the shirt is made of white cloth with a collar; Odhni (headgear) was traditionally made of wool, but now mostly cotton; printed Odhnis help absorb sweat and keep the neck cool in the heat while protecting the face from sun exposure.
Ahir
Ahirs are cattle-keeping communities spread throughout India that do not form their distinct caste and do not intermarry with any other communities. Characterized by high literacy and agricultural expertise, Ahir communities follow greeting patterns and customs with other communities they reside within, and Ahir embroidery is famed for its vibrant colors and confidence.
Most Ahirs are Hindu and practice the Vaishnava sect. They honor cows and tend to eat nonvegetarian meals like goat, chicken, pork, or even field mice and rats – although, due to its sacred status in Hinduism, they don’t consume beef!
Ahirs from various parts of India have adopted the clothing and accessories characteristic of their local regions, such as Ghosts from central India wearing churros with turbans; Rabha tribe members in Assam wear two-piece outfits consisting of Mekhela lower pieces and Chador upper pieces that drape like saree draper. Furthermore, tattooing often follows shortly after marriage.
Rajput
The Rajputs were an Indo-Persian warrior caste who ruled several parts of India. Their distinctive attire served as a mark of strength and courage: men wore elaborate turbans and angarkhas while their women donned elegant ghagra cholis and jewelry from regal houses ruled by them. Additionally, these glorious garments featured intricate embroideries, mirror work, or other details that spoke of their heritage and pride of place.
Rajputana dresses have become increasingly popular among Indian brides. Crafted from cotton, these garments can be embellished with gold or silver thread and other bright hues for embroidery, while their skirt hem often boasts small tassels for embellishment – making this outfit an ideal option for any formal event like a wedding or banquet.
No matter if it is worn as part of an elegant ensemble or to add some added elegance, a satin Rajput Poshak is an excellent way to do both. Crafted with light yet breathable material, its light drape makes this dress comfortable to wear even during hotter weather conditions.
Add an elegant finishing touch to your look by accessorizing with a dupatta, which is a long scarf worn draping over your head and shoulders. Adorned with beautiful embroideries and mirror work, a dupatta makes an excellent finishing touch for any ghagra choli ensemble.
Madhya Pradesh
Madhya Pradesh, located in central India, is famed for its unique culture. Women here exhibit this diversity through fashion. Sarees remain the go-to dress, yet other garments such as lehenga cholis and Bandhani sarees also thrive here – mainly Bandhanis made using tie and dye techniques with wax applied directly onto fabric before dying – these intricate masterpieces have gained worldwide renown! Additionally, there are Maheshwari and Chanderi sarees from Madhya Pradesh as well!
Men in this state typically wear a dhoti and pair it with either a white or black taluka shirt topped off by a jacket known as a band and an optional turban known as safa to complete their look.
Women in Madhya Pradesh tend to wear the lehenga and choli ensemble, consisting of a long skirt called ghaghra and a blouse called choli. Additionally, they wear headgear called an odhni, similar to a scarf, which adds color and pop to their outfit, typically red or black in hue; they prefer Bandhani fabric for their headwear odhnis for further decoration of their look.
Kerala
Kerala boasts a distinctive dress style that marries tradition with modernity. While fast fashion trends have reached this southern state, they also exhibit a growing movement toward slow and sustainable fashion trends. Keralites often opt for quality over quantity when selecting their clothing items for special events and performances.
Women typically wear the ksavu sari and mundu for men as traditional Kerala outfits. A save is composed of cotton or silk fabric tied around the waist and let down to reach ankle level; it is often decorated with traditional embroideries like zardozi, artwork, know work, or sequins for a distinctive look.
Keralites often wear the veshti as an alternative blouse-style clothing item, which is typically made from woven cloth with an adjustable border called kara. This kara can come in various colors and embellishments like beads or charms to complete their ensemble.
A gold kara is worn over an ensemble consisting of two mundu neriyatum sets of two mundus with blouses, similar to half-saris. This type of dress is often seen at special events or festivals and usually comprises traditional accessories and jewelry; however, younger people have begun favoring Western clothing instead.
Maharastra
Maharashtra has its distinct style of dress. Their lower garment, known as a lungi, wraps around their waist with both ends tucked back behind for concealment – something rarely found elsewhere. These lungis can also be paired with matching cholis to complete any ensemble and are often part of traditional Maharashtrian saree ensembles.
Men wear an upper garment called a kameez that covers their knees to just above. It features an elegant Nehru collar that stands up, and this piece can be paired with fitting pants called churidars or pajamas that come in cream, light ivory, or gold shades to complete their ensemble and be wearable at weddings and other special events.
Women in Maharashtra typically wear the nine-yard-long nauvari saree, similar to ghagras worn in Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh. This garment features high vertical gathers or pleats on its skirt with short sleeves that reach to the midriff; additionally, a veil covers its front side fastened with strings is also part of this ensemble.
Manipur
Manipur, situated in India’s north, is an enchanting state known for its hilly landscape and strong Muslim influence on culture, tradition, and costume. Female dress in Manipur closely resembles that worn in Punjab but with loose-fitting garments like “Pheran,” which covers mid-thigh or calf areas; similarly, its lower garment is loose-fitting and called “Phanek.”
Women in Manipur typically don a colorful long striped Phanek with a matching blouse made of handwoven material and available in various designs. Casual wear phaneks may feature block colors, while those worn for special events tend to feature stripes.
Manipur people practice weaving with an elaborate loin-loom that connects back strap looms to two fixed poles; when finished, each piece of cloth woven is decorated by the weavers themselves, using single stitches embroidered into its surface as an expression of their devotion.
Manipur is famous for its exquisite saris. Their designs draw inspiration from local culture and history, such as Meitei mythology. Furthermore, many Maibis who act as spiritual mediums perform dances that demonstrate this concept of cosmogony while simultaneously portraying everyday life for Manipur residents. Some saris also include temple borders or bottle designs with lasing phone quilted patterns for warmth during winter – providing Manipur residents with timeless pieces perfect for their daily wear!
