Dhara Happy Independence Day to all Indians.
India has tremendous treasures of art and culture. From street fashion styles to intriguing textile styles, less is more, but more is never enough!!! We bring tones and tones of new Indian outfits whenever we visit India and family back home. I loved that my mother used to wear a saree every day when I was a child, and now she feels more comfortable wearing a Kurta and leggings for a routine. Everything is changing, and we prefer comfort over style, but classic fashion has a piece in our life.
Here I am sharing some classic essentials which make me proud of being Indian!
- Bindi
Indian traditional outfit is incomplete without Bindi. The Bindi is worn at the center of the forehead and between the eyebrows. So much history behind it.
In the 20th century, the most common way to apply Bindi was to put Vaseline in a circular form on the forehead and apply vermillion (Sindoor) on it. After that, we used paintings that uplifted in unique shapes and colors on the forehead.
But now you will find Bindi with various shapes, colors, and materials. What you should keep in your wardrobe are,
Traditional Red Round Design in M size. (Not too small, not too big)
Long Lined Bindi (If you have a broader forehead)
Little Black Circle Bindi (My Personal favorite)
Floral design with colors to match your outfits.
2. An Elevated Salwar Kameez
We don’t wear many Indian clothes, right?? Only on special occasions do we wear traditional Indian outfits and dress up for pooja and meet family and friends. All Indian abroad should carry one whole set, including pants, a long straight-cut top, and a dupatta.
Fabric and color you choose!! Don’t go with something in trend; try to select something classic like a Bandhini, silk, or cotton dress which will be in style always.
3. Indian Footwear
How else can you complete the look? High heels and modern footwear can never give you the Indian feel. Types for women are Jutties, Kolhapuries which are most common.
Indians wear traditional footwears occasionally to complete ethnic attire. You will find intricately designed footwear at many Indian designer brands to local stores. They combine sparkly beads and stones, laces, machine embroidery to hand threadwork. Mostly choose floral design with mix bunch of colors to match any outfit as you will be buying less footwears but end up wearing them more often.
4. A statement Gold Earring
I mentioned GOLD specifically here because I know how much Indian families value gold. Indian wedding is incomplete without gold jewelry. I can’t bring it all back here in the USA, but essential everyday gold earrings can be matched with Western and Indian outfits.
I used the same earring for different outfits. and see it matches!
5. Saree
This fashion masterpiece is older than 5000 years. How amazing is it to think that one style survives these many years!! I am sure the saree is also connected with you through emotions; it can be your mom’s saree, your first-bought saree, your mother-in-law’s first gift to you, or the first time you wore it in college or school.
Only some of the latest styles work for all, so go classic and get some essential Silk Saree, Bandhani saree, Banarasi saree, or chiffon saree.
6. Lehenga
What if you don’t know how to wear a saree?? Right? What else will be your to-go wedding option? Lehenga or (Chaniya Choli).
A combination of a Skirt, Blouse, and Dupatta is irreplaceable. Diwali hosting to Friend’s wedding will work for all the occasions. Again, all trendy styles like Double layer skirt, printed skirt, Jacket, and lehenga are not the classic that makes you proud. A Basic A-line, full flared skirt with cap sleeves and u-neck back blouse with chiffon or cotton dupatta will do wonders for your Indian style.
Nice article.
Thank you very much.
Proud to be an INDIAN
Lovely 🥰
Thank you very much.!! India is the best 🙂
Very informative… enjoyed reading it. 🙌
Thanks Pranoti. I know you misses India as much as I do.
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