What is Ethnic Wear and How do I Style for It
Introduction
In this article, we will learn some basics of ethnic wear and the history of ethnic wear, its importance, types, and stories and at the end answer some FAQs of yours.
History of Ethnic Wear in India
It has a long history because ethnic wear has been trending for thousands of years, since the kings and emperor’s times. So we need to understand how vast ethnic wear is and its importance in our culture.
Saree:
The Saree is the best outfit for ethnic wear in India, For over 5,000 years it has come into trend. It is a rectangular piece of fabric uniquely worn by women in India. Every Indian state has its own draping style of saree.
Dhoti:
Men wear a dhoti at the bottom of their body near the waist and below the legs. This is also an ethnic wear type in men, if you ever heard of the dhoti kurta that is known as the perfect outfit for men’s ethnic wear.
Lehenga Choli:
It is a Rajasthani and Gujarati style dress worn by Indian women in festivals and their weddings. In this 21st decade, we call it as crop top – lengha, and this is now famous for indo-western wear.
Sherwani:
It is a traditional Indian outfit worn by the groom at his wedding, it comes with a heavy dupatta.
Long kurta full sleeves and a churidar pajama.
The Importance of Ethnic Wear in India
Very big importance of ethnic wear is there in India because ethnic wear defines the culture of Indian societies and social or ethnic groups. Every ethnic group has its own ethnic wear style which also gets adopted by many countries.
Indian people follow ethnic culture to their weddings and festivals or some small programs or ceremonies because it is a part of their life, as this culture moves on from 1000 of years from their ancestors.
Traditional Clothing from Around the World
Kimono (Japan):
Hanbok (Korea):
Dirndl and Lederhosen (Germany):
Cheongsam (China):
Kaftan (Middle East and North Africa):
Market for Women’s Ethnic Wear
There is a huge market for women’s ethnic wear, as it has a wide range of variety in it.
Here are some example of women’s ethnic wear:
1. Crop-top Lengha
2. Long Gaun
3. Anarkali Suit
4. Patiyala suit
5. Saree
6. Sharara
7. Kurta Set
So we can say that around $50 bn market size in India of women’s ethnic wear.
Different Types of Ethnic Wear in India
Saree: The Saree is the best outfit for ethnic wear in India, For over 5,000 years it has come into trend. It is a rectangular piece of fabric which uniquely wear by women’s in India. Every Indian state has its own draping style of saree.
Salwar Kameez: Basically, salwar is a loose fitted pajama type pant and kameez is knee length kurta worn by women in their daily routine.
Kurtis and Leggings: Kurti is a straight-length kurti below the knee and leggings worn at the bottoms, basically it is skin fit and stretchable. This type of outfit can also works for smart casual look at your workplace.
Sherwani: It is a traditional Indian outfit worn by the groom at his wedding, it comes with a heavy dupatta.
Long kurta full sleeves and a churidar pajama.
Anarkali Suit: it is a frock style suit with full round flared and has a cross-cut style design on its front with a side ribbon for fitting.
Lehenga Choli: It is a Rajasthani and Gujarati style dress worn by Indian women in festivals and their weddings. In this 21st decade, we call it as crop top – lengha, and this is now famous for indo-western wear.
Interesting Stories Behind Ethnic Wear
Behind every piece of ethnic wear lies a story steeped in culture, tradition, and symbolism. Here are a few fascinating stories:
- The Sari’s Nine Yards: The traditional saree is about six to nine yards long. The extra length in the saree symbolizes abundance and prosperity in Indian culture.
- The Tale of the Kimono: Kimonos often feature intricate patterns and motifs. They are carefully handcrafted, with designs that reflect the changing seasons and the wearer’s age and social status.
- The Power of Red in China: In Chinese culture, red symbolizes good luck and happiness. It’s often the chosen color for weddings and other joyous occasions and is a dominant hue in traditional clothing.
- The Dirndl’s Hidden Message: In Bavarian culture, the position of the bow on a dirndl can signify the wearer’s relationship status. A bow tied on the left indicates she’s single, on the right means taken, and in the middle is for the undecided.
- Kaftans: A Global Fashion Statement: Kaftans, originating from the Middle East, have become a global fashion trend. They are loved for their comfort, elegance, and versatility.
Conclusion
So in this article, you have learn some basics of ethnic wear and its importance in India, also saw some interesting stories behind ethnic wear.
To know more about the designs and patterns of ethnic wear in India , please comment in the comment box for the next article.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is Ethnic Wear?
Ethnic wear represents traditional clothing styles deeply set in a culture’s history and identity,vary from India’s saree to Japan’s kimono and beyond. It represents cultural pride, showcasing diverse traditions, craftsmanship, and stands for across the globe.
2. How is ethnic wear different from Western clothing?
Ethnic wear is different from Western wear because of its vast culture and pride and also because of its authority and oldness.
3. What are some popular types of ethnic wear in India?
- Saree
- Salwar Kameez
- Kurtis and Leggings
- Sherwani
- Anarkali Suit
- Lehenga Choli
4. Are there any fashion trends in ethnic wear?
Yes, Known as indo-western style, it is a blend of both traditional and Western wear, modern fashion designers play with this style and make new fashion trends from it.
