CLOTHING
Throughout history, clothing in India has evolved overtime, but all styles keep bright and exuberent colours and design.
MEN
Dhoti and Lungi:
A dhoti is a four to six feet piece of cotton that is wrapped around the body. Different areas of India wrap the dhoti differently, it is sometimes accompanied with a shirt however it can be wrapped around the upper body too. A lungi is also known as a sarong and is similar to the dhoti only it is wrapped around the waist.
A dastaar (turban) is worn by Sikh men and sometimes women. It is worn to protect the uncut hair (kesh) of the person wearing it. However there are also many different styles of tying a dastaar or pagri.
Kurta:
A kurta is a long garment that goes down to your knees. It is worn with normal pants called a pajama. It is usually worn in villages, this is because its baggy design means that it is very cooling in the summer months. It is also very comforable so you can do manual labour in it.
Sherwani:
A sherwani or achkan is a long coat usually worn at weddings. Traditionally it has buttons running down the centre and is embroided with many colourful patterns. The jacket has a nehru collar (a collar that stands up) it is worn with tight fitting pants called churidas. The sherwani is considered very smart hence why it is worn on weddings.
WOMEN
Sari:
A sari is a strip of heavily embroided cloth ranging from four to nine metres long. It is worn over a blouse or a petticoat that is also embroidered. There are many different ways to wrap the sari but the most poular way is to wrap it aound the waist and thendraping the remainder of the material over the shoulder exposing the midriff.
Anarkali:
The anarkali suit is made up of a long, frock-style top and features a slim fitted bottom.The anarkali is an extremely desirable style that is very popular among women in Punjab. The anarkali suit varies in many different lengths and embroideries including floor length anarkali styles.
