Beauty of South Asian Ethnic Wear: Traditional South Asian Women's Clothing
Are you looking for what to wear to Traditional South Asian Clothing to a party or Shaadi?
Does the fashion term Gharara vs. Sharara confuse you?
The allure and charm of traditional South Asian women’s clothing have remained a constant source of desire for fashion enthusiasts around the globe. South Asian fashion has become very popular over the years thanks to vibrant colors, intricate designs, and stunning patterns.
Traditional South Asian Clothing and Fashion includes Lehengas, Gharara Suit, Anarkali suits/gowns, Sarees, Salwar Kameez, Sharara Suit, and Kurti / Kurta.
In this article, we aim to explore the beauty of South Asian ethnic wear by showcasing the most famous traditional South Asian clothing styles.
Tip: You can always mix and match a top to a bottom.
This salwar kameez is a two-piece outfit and is the most common style of traditional South Asian women’s clothing. The word “salwar” refers to the type of pants depicted in the picture to the right. They can be snug or baggy pairs of pants.
The word “kameez” refers to the specific style of the top shown. It is a loose, long tunic-like shirt.
Note: Compared to the other styles below, the pants in this style are most similar to regular jeans or slacks.
Salwar Kameez is a most common South Asian garment that consists of a long tunic top (kameez) and loose-fitting pants (salwar). This clothing style is highly flexible and can be worn for various occasions.
There are tons of styles for the traditional Salwar Kameez, such as the Punjabi suit, the Pakistani suit, and the Afghan suit. Each variation has unique design elements that reflect the cultural and regional diversity of South Asia. With so many variations of styles, the Salwar Kameez is a timeless piece that adds a touch of elegance to any wardrobe.
The lehenga is one of the most popular South Asian women’s clothing styles. Lehenga is a skirt worn over a choli or Kurti (top or shirt), and this is worn with a dupatta, a long piece of cloth that covers both the chest and can be wrapped around the waist to provide extra coverage.
It is the most popular choice at weddings and other festive occasions. Lehenga Choli is available in various designs, colors, and fabrics that can range from simple to elegant.
Sharara vs. Gharara
What is the difference between sharara and Gharara?
A sharara and/or gharara suit is traditionally worn with a kurti/kurta. Both have loose pants. However, a sharara is fitted at the waist and flares out to the end, while a gharara is from fitted above the knee and flares out from there.
A gharara suit is another style of traditional South Asian women’s clothing, but it is less common than the first two. It consists of a regular kameez (shirt) for the top and bell-bottom-like pants. The pants are tight-fitting from the hip to the knee. Then become wide from the knee to the ankle. This style trend stands out more compared to the other one.
A sharara suit is similar to the gharara set in the formal event level that it is suited for, but the pants to this suit are slightly different. Instead of the bell-bottom style pants of the gharara, this suit has wide-leg pants, which are open from the hip to the ankle.
The most traditional South Asian clothing is the saree, which varies widely in style according to region. It is usually worn with a tight-fitting blouse called a choli, typically made from many different materials.
The saree is wrapped around the waist and is pulled tightly over the left shoulder. The saree is tied with a belt and/or bow at the back.
How are kurti different then kurta?
Kurtas are long shirts that reach the calf area, while Kurtis are typically short, reaching the waist or hip length. Kurtas are often paired with loose pants, while Kurtis are usually worn with jeans.
A kurti and/or kurta is the most casual style of traditional South Asian women’s clothing. It consists of only the kameez (shirt) portion of the salwar kameez but at a slightly shorter length. This shirt can be worn with pants or jeans. This style of shirt looks great over any bottom and still looks very elegant.
If you want to add a touch of royalty to your wardrobe, Anarkali suits/gowns are a fantastic choice!
These beautiful ethnic gowns are perfect for any occasion offering a unique blend of comfort and elegance. Anarkali dresses are designed to look and feel like a gown that covers from neck to ankles. They also come in various types, cuts, lengths, and designs.
One of the best things about Anarkali gowns is their versatility.
Traditional South Asian women’s gown or dress is essential to any shaadi (wedding).
These stunning ethnic dresses are famous for their intricate designs, luxury fabrics, and vibrant colors. This makes them a popular choice among brides. With a wide range of styles available, picking a shaadi (wedding) dress for your special day might be harder than it seems.
One of the most exciting events leading up to a traditional South Asian wedding is the Mehndi night, which marks the beginning of the wedding celebrations.
Mehndi night is a time-honored tradition for everyone to come together and celebrate the happy couple. At this event, guests often wear all sorts of clothing styles.
See the list of different styles of dresses above.
The traditional colors usually worn to a mehndi night are in the yellow-green spectrum.
Patiala suits are traditional South Asian Women’s Clothing popular for their wider-shaped pants that give a fuller look. These suits make a statement at any event and add a touch of classic, timeless elements to anyone’s wardrobe.
Palazzos are pants that have become the new go-to fashion item. Not only are they stylish but versatile too. They look great with any kurta, kameez, and blouse top.
The latest trend in South Asian Women’s Clothing is floor-length dresses. This style consists of a ball gown-like one-piece suit. It is usually paired with a dupatta (scarf) to complete the elegance of this look.
This stunning combination surely makes you stand out!
Maxi gowns are ideal for adding western charm to your closet. The dress is universal, making it a fantastic option for any occasion.
Sherwani Suit
Another awesome add-on to a South Asian Women’s Clothing collection is the sherwani. This less popular suit is great for a wedding or celebration where you want a unique stand-out-of-the-crowd look.
The oldest traditional South Asian women’s piece of clothing is “the dupatta.” It is paired with and adds a touch of elegance to every suit.
Styling the dupatta (scarf) can be done in many different ways. Usually, it covers the head and is left to hang down the back or wraps around the neck and shoulders.
In conclusion, traditional South Asian ethnic clothing truly shows the region’s diversity. Whether it’s a saree, lehenga, or salwar kameez, the beauty and elegance of these garments are unmatched.
So your next part is exploring the world of traditional South Asian ethnic wear.
FAQs - Traditional South Asian Clothing
Traditional South Asia clothing is a mix of different regions, including India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Nepal, among others. Each country has its own unique traditional dress. These dresses are usually made from light fabrics like silk, cotton, and linen. Most of them have intricate designs and vibrant colors that are deeply rooted in the region’s heritage.
The most well-known types of traditional South Asian dress include sarees, salwar kameez, lehenga choli, and kurta pajama. However, Western-style clothing has become more popular over the years. The traditional South Asian dress is still worn for many occasions.
The purpose of a dupatta (scarf) is to be worn by women in South Asia, typically draped over the head, shoulders, and chest. It can be used as a symbol of modesty, and for some people, it is a fashion accessory.
Men also wear the dupatta (scarf) at special events or occasions.
The style in which a dupatta (scarf) can change; however, usually, it is draped over the head and left to hang down the back or wrapped around the neck and shoulders.
Dupatta and chunni are interchangeable words. They are both names for scarf; however, chunni is longer than dupatta.
Chunni or dupatta is a long scarf.
