



Are you struggling to keep up with the constantly shifting world of Indian fashion? You’re not alone in seeking a wardrobe that blends traditional elegance with contemporary style.
You’re at the center of this story, facing the challenge of integrating rich cultural heritage with modern trends. Fortunately, you have a trusted guide with the knowledge to help refine your look.
In this article, we’ll cover:
- The historical development of Indian fashion
- Key fashion styles and influential designers
- Current trends and their influences
Update your wardrobe with our insights and advice. Imagine a look that merges classic style with modern trends, enhancing your confidence and style.
Historical Evolution of Indian Fashion

The evolution of Indian Costumes reflects a rich blend of tradition and innovation, showcasing India’s long history through unique fashion styles.
Ancient Roots: Early Indian outfits like the sari and dhoti were crafted from cotton and silk, using techniques such as bandhani and handloom weaving, forming timeless collections.
Mughal Influence: Fancy clothes like Anarkalis and lehengas with embroidery became popular.
Colonial Blend: Indian and Western clothes mixed, with women wearing saris and blouses, and men wearing suits.
Post-Independence Revival: Designers mixed traditional clothes like khadi with modern styles.
Modern Trends: Indian fashion combines old and new styles and is popular worldwide.

2 Centuries of Indian Fashion
19th Century

The 19th century saw a mix of British and traditional Indian fashion due to colonization.
Women’s Outfits:
- Saris with Blouses: Blouses and petticoats changed saris, blending Western and Indian styles.
- Ghararas and Shararas: In northern India, wide pants with long tops, often with rich fabrics and embroidery, became popular.
Men’s Outfits:
- Western Suits and Sherwanis: Indian men wore Western suits for work, but sherwanis and dhotis for traditional events.
- Turbans and Fezzes: Different turbans and fezzes showed status and regional cultures.
20th Century

The 20th century in India saw significant fashion shifts with the end of British rule in 1947, influencing styles. Bollywood and cinema also had a strong impact on fashion.
Women’s Outfits:
- Sari Revolution: After independence, the sari became a symbol of pride, with leaders like Indira Gandhi wearing simple khadi saris.
- Bollywood Fashion: From the 1960s to 1990s, stars like Madhubala and Sridevi influenced styles like churidars, bell-bottoms, and colorful saris.
- Western Influence: By the late 20th century, skirts, jeans, and dresses became popular with young women in cities.
Men’s Outfits:
- Nehru Jackets: These collarless jackets, named after Nehru, became a key style.
- Fusion Wear: Men mixed traditional clothes like sherwanis with Western jackets.
- Bollywood Fashion: Bollywood shaped men’s fashion, from 1970s bell-bottoms to 1990s suits.
See Also Music in India
3 Popular Fashion Styles in India
Traditional Styles

Sari (Saree): A long, unstitched cloth (5 to 9 yards) draped around the body, part of Traditional Indian Clothing. Fabrics include silk and cotton, with popular types like Kanjeevaram and Banarasi.
Lehenga Choli: A skirt (lehenga) with a fitted blouse (choli) and a dupatta (scarf). Commonly worn for special occasions, with designs ranging from simple to heavily embroidered.
Salwar Kameez: Consists of a tunic (kameez), loose trousers (salwar), and a dupatta. Regional variations include Patiala salwar in Punjab and churidars in Rajasthan.
Kurta Pyjama: A long tunic (kurta) with loose trousers (Pyjama), popular in North India. Variants include a Churidar kurta with tighter trousers.
Dhoti and Lungi: Traditional men’s garments; the dhoti is formal, while the lungi is casual, often worn in southern and eastern India.
Sherwani and Bandhgala: The sherwani is an embroidered coat, and the bandhgala (Nehru jacket) is a tailored jacket.
Contemporary and Urban Fashion

Streetwear: Urban fashion includes graphic tees, joggers, sneakers, and hoodies. Local designers mix Indian motifs with Western street trends, offering a unique take on global styles.
Minimalist Fashion: This style features simple cuts and solid colors. Designers like Payal Khandwala and brands like Raw Mango focus on clean, high-quality Indian clothes.
Eco-Friendly Fashion: Designers use organic cotton and recycled materials. Brands like Anavila and Pero make eco-friendly clothes.
Wedding and Festive Fashion

Bridal Lehengas: These elaborate lehengas, often in colors like red and gold, are a staple for Indian weddings. Designers like Sabyasachi and Manish Malhotra make beautiful bridal outfits with lots of detail.
Anarkali Suits: These outfits have long, flared tops with tight pants and are a favorite for festive occasions.
Heavy Dupattas and Shawls: These accessories, made from velvet, silk, or brocade, are key for formal events. Adorned with zari work, pearls, or detailed embroidery, they add a touch of grandeur to Indian outfits.
See Also Famous Indian Painters
4 Notable Indian Fashion Designers
Sabyasachi Mukherjee

Style: Sabyasachi is renowned for his lavish bridal wear and traditional Indian outfits. His designs use rich materials like velvet, silk, and brocade, with detailed embroidery and a classic look.
Signature: His heavily embellished lehengas, saris, and sherwanis are popular for formal events. He frequently uses traditional techniques such as zardozi, gota work, and handloom weaving in his creations.
Tarun Tahiliani

Style: Tarun Tahiliani combines Indian fabrics with European tailoring. His designs are modern and detailed.
Signature: He is known for draped saris, lehengas, and wedding outfits with rich fabrics and Swarovski crystals.
Achievements: Tahiliani is favored by Indian celebrities and high-profile brides. He has presented his collections at international fashion shows, including Milan Fashion Week.
Anita Dongre

Style: Anita Dongre is known for her vibrant designs that highlight India’s rich cultural heritage. Her Indian clothes use traditional patterns and eco-friendly materials.
Signature: Dongre’s designs feature bridal wear with gota patti and Rajasthani embroidery.
Achievements: Her label has dressed global figures like Hillary Clinton and Kate Middleton. Through her brand “Grassroot,” Dongre supports Indian artisans and focuses on sustainable fashion.
Masaba Gupta

Style: Masaba Gupta creates bright, bold designs that mix modern shapes with traditional Indian patterns. Her clothes have fun prints and vivid colors.
Signature: Gupta’s outfits blend traditional saris with modern styles and unique prints like palm trees and lipstick.
Achievements: As a leading figure in Indian fashion, Gupta’s brand “House of Masaba” is widely popular. She has also dressed international celebrities including Beyoncé and Nick Jonas.
3 Key Influences in Indian Fashion
Bollywood and Pop Culture


Film Industry: Bollywood has significantly shaped Indian fashion. Legendary actors like Rekha, Madhuri Dixit, and Deepika Padukone have made styles popular in their movies. Designers like Manish Malhotra and Neeta Lulla create standout costumes.
Celebrity Fashion: Stars like Amitabh Bachchan, Priyanka Chopra, and Ranveer Singh set fashion trends. Their attire at red carpet events, film promotions, and on social media affects both casual and formal Indian outfits.
See Also Sports in India
Social Movements

Swadeshi Movement: Led by Mahatma Gandhi, the Swadeshi Movement promoted using local fabrics like khadi. This initiative, deeply rooted in Indian Culture, supported economic independence and became a symbol of national pride.
Globalization and Western Influence

Fusion Trends: With globalization, Indian fashion has increasingly mixed Western styles with traditional elements. This blend is seen in outfits like lehenga gowns, Indo-western saris, and Anarkali gowns, combining Western silhouettes with classic Indian motifs.
International Influence: Designers like Sabyasachi Mukherjee and Manish Arora are known worldwide, influencing how people see Indian fashion. At the same time, global brands like Zara, H&M, and Gucci have gained popularity in India, integrating Western styles into everyday wear.

Indian Fashion: A Recap
Indian fashion blends old and new styles, reflecting the country’s rich heritage. Designers like Sabyasachi Mukherjee and Manish Malhotra combine traditional patterns with modern trends to create unique outfits. This shows Indian fashion’s growing global influence. Mixing traditional techniques with new designs, Indian fashion makes a strong impact worldwide.
FAQ
Traditional Indian fashion features garments like saris, lehengas, and salwar kameez, often made from vibrant fabrics with intricate embroidery. Accessories such as bangles and necklaces complement the outfits.
Indian fashion has evolved from traditional garments to include modern fusion wear, blending traditional elements with contemporary styles. There’s also a focus on sustainable fashion and global trends.
Prominent designers include Sabyasachi Mukherjee, Manish Malhotra, Anita Dongre, Tarun Tahiliani, and Masaba Gupta, known for their innovative and influential contributions to Indian fashion.