Salvar-kamiz, as well as sari, chuni or dupatta, is considered an integral part of the wardrobe of an Indian girl. Comparing Indian outfits with European ones, it should be noted that the clothes listed above can be called such familiar words as a suit, wrap, dress, scarf. But European names cannot convey the whole identity and splendor of Indian clothing.
Fashion from India
This costume is considered traditional Indian clothing for women. Comfortable attire is most popular in the Punjab region, so the costume is often called Punjabi, in addition, you can hear such a pronunciation as salwar kamiz.
Since the Middle Ages, Punjabi costumes have attracted Indian girls, because they give the appearance dignity and grace. For a long time, these clothes were transformed, design and styles changed. The main highlights of the costume are convenience and versatility. Shalvar-kamiz will be appropriate both in everyday life and at a celebration.
Clothing history
Salvar-kamiz is a traditional clothing worn by men and women of South and Central Asia. Also, the robe is considered national in Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Although the costume is very popular and widespread among girls in Bangladesh and India, there is no true information about how the shalwar kamiz turned out to be in India. Studies show that this clothing appeared during the Mongol invasion. But the true costumes of Shalvar-Kameez spread in the 16th century after the arrival of Islam in the state.
What is the costume made of?
Classic Punjabi is a combination of three parts:
- Salvar (shalvar) is a wide pants. Often they are spacious above and narrower down. At the waist, the salvar is pulled together with a soft belt or lace. In addition to spacious pants, there are narrow tight-fitting models, they are called churidar.
- Kamiz is a long tunic that is worn with shawls. On the sides there are high cuts that allow you not to hamper the movements of girls.
- This outfit must complement the wrap. She is called dhupatta.
Varieties of styles of traditional Indian clothing
Today, designers come up with a large number of innovative models and styles. Nowadays, the kamiz has a wide variety of necklines. In the manufacture of costumes using various decorative elements - sequins, beads, embroidery and much more. And although the traditional kamiz should reach its knees, this is not so important, because modern clothes have long passed all existing frameworks and limitations.
Conventional Indian salvar-kamiz, consisting of three parts, have many types.
Churidar. The suit consists of narrow trousers, they can be much longer than the legs and gather in numerous folds. The tunic is often below the knee, and a scarf is worn on the head.
Patiala style. Harem pants on a wide yoke with pleats at the bottom can hide figure flaws. They are complemented by a short tunic and a scarf on the head. According to legend, this costume came into fashion thanks to Maharaja Patial.
Anarkali. A bright robe consists of narrowed trousers and a tunic in the form of a sarafan, from above it is narrow, and a flare begins from the chest.
Parallel Indian costume. The three-piece suit consists of a straight tunic, straight trousers and a classic scarf.
Sharara. The robe consists of trousers flared from the hip, a short tunic with or without short sleeves, and a classic shawl.
Why do Indian women choose a salvar kamiz costume?
With the development of freedom, love for Punjabi spread throughout India. And today, the costume, along with the sari, is considered national. Salvar-kamiz is very popular among Indian women, and there are a number of reasons for this:
- Convenience. In this outfit, the girl always feels comfortable, Punjabi will be appropriate in any weather. Moreover, this attire can be simultaneously called a dress and trousers.
- Huge selection of designs and styles. By the appearance of the punjabi there are designer ones, embroidered or with a printed pattern. For the manufacture of costumes using a wide variety of fabrics. For everyday wear, choose cotton, for evening dresses, silk, organza or chiffon are best suited.
- Having picked up the shalvar-kamiz in style and size, you can hide all the shortcomings of your figure and emphasize its merits.
- Versatility and grace. In such clothes you can go to work or walk, while the costume will make the image more feminine and romantic.
Indian clothing decoration
Punjabi conquers at first sight. But this is not only a variety of styles, patterns and fabrics, a large selection of jewelry plays a significant role. And this is not only embroidery and rhinestones, the costume is decorated with various ornaments and even mirrors.
As for shoes, heeled sandals or embroidered slippers are best suited for such clothes. Indian bracelets on arms and legs will help to complete the image.
Like other clothes, Punjabi can be purchased in specialized stores, but if you want to become the owner of a high-quality elegant outfit, then it is best to sew the shalvar-kamiz in accordance with the individual characteristics of your figure.
Sewing Indian clothes
And although today there are many costume designs, there are two main differences, according to which the salwar kamiz is divided into two groups: models with wide-cut pants and trousers that fit your legs (churidar). Their main difference is that the churidars below are very narrow, and there are a lot of folds in the ankle area, and the more there are, the more beautiful the outfit will look. Punjabi with harem pants will be an excellent option for dancing, in this costume any girl will feel as comfortable as possible.
If we talk about kamiz, the variety of models is simply amazing. They can be sewn from various materials, such as cotton, silk, chiffon, tulle and much more. All this is decorated with rhinestones, sequins, appliques, embroidery, etc. The length can be short, reaching the knees or ankles.
Pattern: Shalwar Kamiz
Drawing a bloomers at first glance may seem quite complicated, but in fact, not everything is so scary. The main thing is to perform all the actions described in the instructions with which you work. For sewing pants, it is best to choose elastic fabric - jersey, lycra or stretch cotton are suitable.
Before starting the construction, everything should be clearly measured: the length from the waist to the ankles, the volume of the hips, the length from the waist to the knees and from the waist to the lower leg. In addition, you need to measure the volume of the knees, legs and ankles.
The first step is to draw a straight line corresponding to the desired length of the product (the length from the waist to the ankles). Next, the line needs to be extended down another 20 cm and marked as a border. After that, in the drawing from above, you need to measure the intermediate line, it is considered this way: divide the thigh volume by three and add 5 cm.
Also on the drawing it should be noted the line of the knee and the line of the lower leg, they must correspond to the measurements that were previously made. At the intermediate mark, you need to draw a perpendicular line, it is equal to 1/3 of the hips plus 9 cm. The perpendicular line should also be drawn at the knees: 1/2 of the knee plus 2.5 cm.
Continuing the drawing, perpendicular lines are drawn at the level of the lower leg and ankle. Each of the volumes is halved and 2.5 cm added. The border line is also equal to half the ankle volume plus 2.5 cm.
The end of the intermediate line is marked with point O. You also need to mark the second point from point O, it is 1/12 of the hips plus 2.5 cm. At this point, draw a perpendicular line and connect it to the waist line. Next, connect all the points as shown in the drawing, and the pattern is ready.
For tailoring the fireplace, you can use the basic pattern of any dress or tunic, changing the shape of the neckline or the length of the sleeve, thereby creating various patterns.
You can achieve the desired aesthetic effect, but for this it is important to choose the right fabric, Punjabi silhouette, its length and style. Suits shalvar-kamiz, photos of which are presented above, will help determine the right choice.