In the century of globalization and massive cultural diffusion, it is a routine to witness blended fashion on the runway. The Indian traditional form of dressing, which was moderately rigid until the end of the last century, has opened up enormously to innovations that can leave you spellbound. The traditional North Indian dress- the salwar kameez with a straight-cut kurta and a loose-fitted or gracefully taut churidar, has turned into a designer-friendly outfit, having gorgeous variations that can shake up even acing international trends.
This changing face of the Indian salwar kameez is a boon for women who love experimenting with their wardrobe while holding on to their culture. From gracefully simple to boldly outstanding, the traditional salwar kameez has taken plenty of avatars to keep up with changing trends and the growing desire of women for the element of uniqueness and up-to-date fashion. Where Punjabi suits, Patialas, classic churidar suits, and casual to festive-style anarkali suits have their share of patronage, the following contemporary versions of the ethnic ensemble have redefined traditions for the modern Indian woman.
Lehenga Suits
Moderating the Indian lehenga to complement ethnic-style straight-cut kurtas, lehenga suits have become a trending adaptation of traditional salwar suits. Although they look similar to a lehenga choli, one can differentiate them with their relatively simple skirt bottom and the long kurta. Apart from being a festive staple of the season, lehenga suits have also grown to become a comfy casual-wear pick, with the use of everyday fabrics like cotton.
Palazzo Sarees
A palazzo bottom paired with a crop and a saree pallu drape in place of dupatta is fast catching up as the next-gen form of contemporary wear. This bold fusion style has struck a chord with young women and has made it to celebrity closets as well.
Peplum Suits
A silhouette derived from the traditional kedia which is indigenous to the states of Rajasthan and Gujarat, the peplum kurta has become a style-pick for occasions having dress codes ranging from casual to dressy formal. Short frock-style peplum kurtas are usually worn with palazzo pants, shararas, or lehenga bottoms and can be a boon if you have an apple-shaped frame since this silhouette smartly balances out the hip-to-shoulder ratio.
Anarkali gowns
The traditional calf-length Anarkali kurtas have given way to floor-length ones and going a step ahead, designers have come up with Anarkali gowns that have its typical pleated flare and are usually devoid of churidar bottoms and dupatta. While designers have been working around with sheers and crystalline embellishments to give these ethnic gowns a more glamorous feel, modern brides are taking to this majestic silhouette for their wedding attire.
While these are some of the ruling salwar suit styles of the season, there have been plenty of modifications to its timeless versions, like Punjabi salwar suits and churidar suits, as well as the new ethnic staple- palazzo suits. The use of broadly categorized English colors, animal prints, object prints, digital prints, and flouncy details like frilly sleeves and sheer necklines are some other elements that have contributed to redefining the Indian salwar kameez as a vogue statement. The salwar kameez has thus turned into a glamorously appealing form of dressing, an ensemble worthy of appreciation on the international red carpet!
