20 Types of Indian Traditional Dresses for Women
India’s diverse culture and rich heritage are beautifully reflected in its traditional dresses. Each region has its unique attire, representing its customs, traditions, and history. From sarees and salwar kameez to lehengas and anarkalis, there are as many types of ethnic wear for ladies as there are stars in the sky.
These traditional garments, adorned with vibrant colors and detailed embroidery, are worn during festivals, weddings, and special occasions, celebrating India’s history and traditions. This article highlights 20 diverse Indian dresses for women.
Indian Dresses Name List: 20 Iconic Traditional Outfits for Women
1. Sarees
Traditionally worn in India, sarees are six to nine yards long and are made from fabrics like silk, cotton, georgette, and more. They are commonly decorated with elaborate stitching, beads, and sparkles in the form of sequins. Among the various types, there are Kanjivaram sarees, Banarasi sarees, Bandhani sarees, Nauvari sarees, and more.
2. Salwar Kameez
The salwar kameez is a local attire that is commonly worn by women, particularly those from Northern India. This attire consists of a long tunic, known as a kameez, wide-legged trousers, salwar, and a dupatta. They are not only comfortable but easy to wear and convenient as well. Salwar Kameez is one of the most popular types of ethnic wear for ladies.
3. Lehenga
Lehenga is a traditional dress in India that is mostly used for marriages or other special occasions. For brides, it is like their go-to dress for weddings.
The lower portion is called the skirt, the top-wearing piece is the choli, and the piece that is worn around the neck is the dupatta. Lehengas are best known for their rich fabrics and intricate embellishments, such as embroidery and mirrors.
4. Anarkali Suit
Deriving its name from the famous Mughal-era dancer Anarkali, this outfit is a long tunic top combined with fitted trousers. Anarkali suits are an Indian style of dress that originated in the Mughal era and are typically loose, have rich embroidery work, and are worn during marriage occasions.
5. Churidar Suits
Churidar suits are a combination of a long tunic and skin-tight trousers, which are meant to be tightly tucked up to the ankles like bangles called churis. Churidars originated from North India and are fashionable and elegant with a combination of daily wear and special occasions.
6. Patiala Suit
Patiala suits are another regional wear that originated in Punjab and is characterized by a short kameez and loose salwar with pleats. Patiala suits are worn in the festive season and on casual occasions and are best teamed with bright-colored dupattas due to their comfort and elegance.
7. Ghagra Choli
Ghagra choli is one of the traditional dresses of women of Rajasthan and Gujarat, and it comprises a long skirt called the ghagra, a blouse known as a choli, and a stole known as a dupatta. It is a formal attire worn by women, particularly during festivals and wedding events, and adorned with mirrors, embroidery, and bright colors.
8. Palazzo Suit
The Palazzo suits consist of trousers with wide legs and a long tunic to match. This blending of the conventional Indian dress is comfortable and stylish for regular use and even for formal occasions. Palazzo suits are the latest trends in fashion today. They originated in the Western world but have been integrated into the Indian fashion industry.
9. Sharara Suit
The wide-legged pants and long tunic can identify the Sharara suits. Dating back to the Mughal times, these suits have rich embroidery work and sequins and are worn mostly at weddings and festivals.
10. Gharara Suit
Similar to the Sharara suit, Gharara suits include wide-legged pants but with a more accentuated flare and movement. The Ghararas that originate from Lucknow have been intricately designed with zari and embroidery work and are ideal for any traditional function.
11. Indian Gowns
Indian gowns are a fusion of Western style and Indian fabrics and ornaments. These are long floor-length dresses suitable for formal occasions. They are usually adorned with embroidery and beads and made from fabrics such as silk and velvet.
12. Ethnic Maxi Dress
Pic Credit: Myntra
Ethnic maxi dresses provide a contemporary spin on conventional ethnic wear. These are long and loose-fitting outfits, enhanced with traditional Indian motifs and embellishments. These dresses are suitable for any occasion, be it a casual one or a festive one, all thanks to the comfort that comes with them.
13. Kurti
Kurtis are trend-setting fashionable clothing that can be worn with leggings, jeans, skirts, or palazzos. Kurtis are also known to have originated from Northern India, vary in length and style, and are embellished with embroidery, prints, and sequins. This is one of the types of ethnic wear for ladies, a must-have in every Indian woman’s closet.
14. Indian Co-ord Sets
Co-ord sets, or matching sets, are a relatively new introduction to the realm of Indian ethnic wear. These ensembles consist of a top and bottom, both having similar designs, and these may be incorporated with Indian motifs and embroidery patterns. They are a combination of tradition and modernity in fashion.
15. Lancha
Pic Credit: Wedding Wire
Lancha, which hails from Punjab, is also related to the lehenga, but the blouse is longer and reaches to the knee. This costume is embellished with beautiful embroidery work and bright colours, and it is worn on occasions like weddings and festivals.
16. Dupatta
Pic Credit: ms.dipika (Instagram)
Dupattas are stoles that are worn with Indian attire, such as salwar kameez, lehengas and ghagra cholis. It is usually complemented with embroidery, beading, and sequins, which give the final touch of elegance to the overall look!
17. Indo-Western Long Skirts
If you want to add some boho-chic style to your wardrobe, stock up on long skirts. Indo-Western long skirts blend traditional Indian and Western fashion elements, creating a unique and stylish look.
They can be paired with Western tops, traditional blouses, or kurtas, making them versatile for various occasions, from casual outings to festive celebrations. This is one of the best new-age traditional dresses for women.
18. Pheran
Pheran is a traditional dress of Kashmir that both males and females wear. It is an informal over-garment that is loose and floor-length, generally made of wool to protect the body from the cold climate. Pherans are embellished with beautiful embroidery, which makes them a part of traditional wear in India.
19. Women’s Sherwani
A sherwani for women is similar to the sherwani for men but is designed to fit women. These outfits are fully embroidered with stunning embellishments and, therefore, best suitable for occasions such as weddings and festivals.
20. Women Dhoti Kurta
A female dhoti kurta is a more liberal version of the traditional male attire, which has evolved over the years. The new look is a draped dhoti that is worn with a kurta, which is fashionable and comfortable for festivity wear.
Conclusion
Traditional dresses for women are exquisite cultural artefacts that are incorporated with stunning work from the artisan’s perspective. Each outfit has a specific story and history behind its creation, making each piece of clothing a profound representation of culture and heritage.
If you’re launching a clothing business focused on women’s ethnic wear, Sureka Collection is the ideal place to source stunning ethnic garments like lehengas, suits, gowns, shararas, gararas, and more. We ladies suit in wholesale and offer other ethnic wear for women in wholesale and are renowned as one of the top suppliers in the industry.
