The term “costume” can refer to the distinctive style of dress of a particular people, class or period. Costume is a cultural visual of the people. It provides a vital clue to their customs, tastes and their way of living.
India is a land of color and cultures, so obvious in the varied dresses that adorn its people. Indian dressing types are marked by many variations both religious and regional with a wide choice of texture and styles. The many hued sari draped gracefully in different styles, brightly mirrored cholis, colourful lehengas and the traditional salwar kameez is very fascinating. Though the majority of Indian women wear traditional costumes like sari and salwar kameez, the men in India can be found in more conventional western clothing.
Traditional dress in India greatly varies across the regions in its colors and styles and depends on various factors including climate. The women of Rajasthan and Gujarat often wear colorful swirling skirts called “lehenga” paired with a short bodice called a “choli.”For covering their heads they use bright veils called “ordhani. “Mekhla chadar” is the traditional dress of Assamese women. The most common male attire consists of “dhoti and kurta” worn in most of the western and central regions. A “sherwani” is typically worn for special occasions. Men in many parts of India wear the “lungi”, but depending on the social practices of the region it may be restricted to indoor wear. As with women’s clothing “Jeans” and other types of western wear are very common in the major metropolises and towns. “Shirts and Pants” are ubiquitous in cities and towns.
Children now a days are also very particular about the dress they wear. For boys the latest trend constitutes of “cargo pants” and “T-shirts”. “Floral shirts” are also in fashion. For girls there are many options like “frocks” and “skirts” apart from “Jeans”, “capris” and “cargo pants” which has also been very popular these days.
Thus, we can conclude by saying that though the upcoming trends have been successful in alluring the present generation yet its the old traditional dresses which still rules the hearts of the masses.