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India - trend report from last month

Vani

Veteran

I just wanted to post a quick note on my trend observations during my hectic and haphazard trip to India. Also, Maya's post already answers a lot of introductory questions about traditional Indian garb.

Fashion and the adoption of trends is SO different from when I left India to come here 10 yrs ago. Today, the market for new global trends is the same as it is here and worldwide. I saw plenty of skinnies, leggings, banded tops, tunics etc. I don't have any pictures as my time out of home was hectic and not at all leisurely. I have to say, the girls there dress so much more smartly now than they did at my time there

The trends that were most prominent and widely embraced, though, were that of 1) ankle length leggings and 2) a variation of the salwars mentioned in Maya's thread called Patialas (India's own ancient version of harem pants :-D)

The ankle length leggings are actually longer, and hence more scrunched at the bottom. This is a perfect example. Leggings like these come in a myriad of colors and are being worn as comfortable substitutes to the churidar (tight salwar) that is going to be the bottom part of Maya's outfit. Churidars have always traditionally been wovens until now.

The patialas are more traditional in cut and style, but are being worn with long fitted tees/tunic tops by the younger and more trendy, instead of the traditional woven tops. They are sold in pairs: patiala + matching scarf (dupatta)

If I had time I would have loved to explore shopping in India, but my priorities this trip were different. But I did do what I enjoy more than shopping - spending time with my family

General

14 replies

Latest reply was from Ruchi

Anonymous

Thank you for the report. I find what women are wearing in other places so interesting and love the looks you linked to. They look appropriate for any age and comfortable. Do you get to see your family in India very often? It must be a very special time.

Maya

Veteran

That is very interesting Vani. Thanks for the writeup. I was there last when I was 17 and as far as western garb goes, it was certainly not the most fashion-forward place in the world. I'm curious to see for myself how it looks now.

Where exactly were you? I remember a discussion I had with Shana and Sihaya a while ago where they expressed some surprise that I wear my regular clothes there, rather than traditional garments. And then, I expressed surprise at their surprise I wonder if it has to do with location? My family members generally do not wear traditional garb except for parties, and I saw plenty of people on the streets in non-Indian attire (though it wasn't terribly stylish). I was in Mumbai for reference.

I have a strong preference for churidars, always have. Patialas look very genie-ish to me. I guess that translates directly to my love of leggings and skinnies and dislike of harem pants I can't help myself. I was born and raised here and that has shaped my sense of fashion and flattery. When I see what is essentially a long tunic with harem pants, I just see "volume on volume, noooo!" Although, I'm sure it is very comfortable in the heat and humidity.

I know everyone is going to boo me here but I actually don't really like saris! I like the dressy ones with pretty gold embroidery and patterns, but the regular cotton "casual" ones do absolutely nothing for me. Even so, I can't wear them myself. I have worn a sari exactly once in my life and just felt terribly uncomfortable and awkward in it.

Anonymous

Thankyou so much for sharing this info about the Indian style. I find it fascinating as probably most people do who love fashion and style.
The young actress looks so pretty with the very colorful skinny pants and dress. I like the looks of the leggings that scrunch at the bottom. It was fun to see the billboard behind her too.
Thanks for sharing.

taylor

Veteran

Sounds like a nice blend of cultures. Like what Maya will do when she gets her piece when her parents return and wear it as a tucic with skinnies perhaps. I think the silk pieces are beautiful.

Always wonderful to be around family that you miss:)

yublocka

(website)

Veteran

What a great write up Vani! I LOVE those colourful ankle length scrunched leggings. And the tunic thats worn with it is divine. Maya I can't wait to see this look on you!!! Vani do you have an outfit like this of your own??

Vani

Veteran

Sorry it took me so long to get back to this post. It has been one thing or the other. Between work and stuff outside of work I've been exhausted. Finally have some time to myself!

Joy, thankfully since the past 4 yrs I have had the opportunity to go back home every year and despite the traveling it has been wonderful. I wish I could go back even more often

Maya, I'm not too surprised at what Sihaya and Shana have said. How I dress depends a lot on where I am in India. If I am off to smaller towns visiting relatives, I try and stick to salwar kameez mostly since dressing otherwise would just just draw unnecessary attention. When I'm in the bigger metro cities like Bombay, Delhi, Pune, Bangalore or my hometown Hyderabad, I can dress exactly as I do here (well, mostly the same ). I share your affinity for churidars as opposed to salwars per se. But this season I have seen that patialas are most always being worn with a close fitting, short tunic so it isn't really a case of volume on volume. I wish I had taken some pictures of my sister, she was sporting some really cute and flattering outfits this time around.

And Maya, you are not alone in not liking the sari My cousin, who grew up here, hates saris (though she looks gorgeous in them). She says she feels "half naked" in them. But that is because she is not used to showing much skin in the areas exposed by the saris and then there's all that cloth that you have to get used to walking in. But once you do, I'll bet you you will feel awesome in addition to looking it In my opinion it is just a matter of practice. And whatever skin is exposed can very easily and strategically be covered. I'll be glad to help you with if we ever get to meet. I just though of another reason that maybe why you don't like saris. Saris make you feel sexy, as in alluring in a way I recall reading you don't particularly like Either ways, I don't really think it is a big deal. I think less and less women in India are wearing saris anyways these days (again, this is in urban areas)

san, glad you liked the picture! That movie on the billboard is the number one hottest hit in India right now. And it is a good movie too

taylor, I can't wait to see what Maya comes up with!

Tam, I really wish I had time to snag a few, but oh well. Another time. I do have a few outfits that have the woven scrunched leggings like the ones Maya will be getting from India. But I love the idea of comfy, loungy knit ones!

Maya

Veteran

Vani, I actually have the exact opposite feeling in saris as your cousin. I feel dumpy in them. I know it's crazy but I just do. There is just so much fabric and I feel so shapeless and bulky.

Inge

(website)

I loved reading this, thank you for the write-up Vani! And I'm glad that you got to spend time with your family.

Like Tam, I absolutely adore the colourful long scrunched up leggings and the tunic. Just gorgeous!!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I LOVED this thread. (Are you surprised?) Thank you so much, Vani. Beautiful Indian lasses in exquisite Indian clothing takes my breath away. It just doesn’t get much better than that.

How is the family?

greenglove

(website)

Veteran

I also am loving this thread. Thank you so much for sharing, I adore the way those women can wear such vibrant colors all together. I think that the dramatic coloring of Indian women is just so beautiful with those jewel tones. I love seeing cultural differences in clothing!! Such inspiration.
Vani,
You can wear those rich colors!!!

Sihaya

Veteran

Vani - thanks for this post. India definitely has moved a lot forward in fashion over the years. Whenever I visit, I wear traditional garb there including a dopatta since my family would likely have raised eyebrows. And my visits are too short and far between to bother with family politics on top of everything else. Since I don't always wear purely traditional Indian clothing here, I end up being one of the least fashionable people on the street. Doesn't make sense to buy new outfits each time for such little wear. I love churidars though lately some of their stitching comes apart faster. I like saris and how I look in them but haven't worn one in years because it's so hard to wear and manage. I wish I had some close Indian friends who lived nearby so we could help each other out with saris.

On a related note - I'm looking to give away some of my salwar kameezes and saris in very good condition. I have contacted some Indian women's shelters in the U.S. but haven't yet heard back. So if anyone has ideas, just let me know.

elpgal

Veteran

Sihaya, Hav you tried the local Indian temple? I have had luck with selling the dupattas at consignment stores (they wouldn't take the tunic and the salwaar parts)

Sihaya

Veteran

Elpgal, that's a great idea. I'll check w/the temple. I didn't realize you were of Indian origin.

Ruchi

Thanks for the wonderful write up,Vani.Now I am really thinking of getting a pair of patiala(my first).I love the look of patiala worn with fitted kurtis.Your post is making me realize that most of my kurtas belong to a different era as they are much longer than knee.I own a handful of salwar-kameez suits now as getting them altered time and again with my changing size becomes difficult.And this gives me a reason to wear the sarees.I tend to wear the same clothes at my mom's house that I wear here,but prefer wearing sarees for dinner parties.Only sarees are worn at my in-laws house.This has helped me learn to be comfortable in a saree even when worn all day long.I might wear a salwar-kameez for the train travel from my mom's house to in-laws house.
Ruchi