The Cultural Revolution has been triggered by globalization which has left behind an impact on the traditional wear of India. Sari and salwar kameez which are the traditional wear of Indian women are been cast away in favor of jeans, skirts, shorts, and tops. This influence is ruining India’s rich cultural heritage and traditional values to a great extent.

The clothes we wear greatly affect our appearance and hence now a large number of people has started to think about whether we should wear our traditional clothes or follow western trends. Today youngsters argue that we must go with the flow and taking up new trends is a better option. People still believe that traditional clothes represent our culture and identity and if we let it go then it will be like discarding our own culture.

Reason of Decline In Preference Of Traditional Indian Wear
Transformation in the Ethnic Wear

People in India prefer to wear western wear for their office or day to day work as they feel they are very comfortable. Western dresses are well known to be elegant and classy. This is the reason that some of the corporate companies have used western wear as the dress code in their office for both men and women. There are various brands of western outfits and they are available in Indian stores as well as online.

People generally feel that western trends are offering freedom of expression. You can add your own tastes and ideas to them and they are quite classy, stylish and attractive. The new trends have helped people especially teenagers to cope up with peer pressure and this results in the acceptance among liberal and contemporary people. This is due to the fact that it sets a good impression on others showing that you are much in touch with the world and come from a polished background.

• Distinctive Dresses in India

There is a lot of difference in Indian dresses and western wear dresses. Various traditional outfits in India signify the different cultures in India. Women in the northern part of India wear salwar kameez and men wear kurta pajamas. Besides the traditional saris, salwar kameez is also one of the most popular dresses in India. Women in the southern part of India can be seen in sarees which are worn in different styles by different people of varying cultures. Dhoti is normally worn by men here. Women prefer to wear the 9 feet long saree and this is one of the best clothing in which they look amazing and sexy. Both the Indian and western wear have their own unique significance.

• The Decline of Ethnic Wear

Women used to wear saree while going to the office but since last decade saree has disappeared as work attire among the modern generation of Indian female office goers. Saree was once worn by women every day in their home can be seen only on traditional events or family function. Salwar kameez is comparatively popular but it is also slowly taking the charms of western wear.

• Reason of Decline In Preference Of Traditional Indian Wear

Today, Indian women have stepped out of their houses to work and have achieved financial independence. The ratio of ethnic wear to western wear in recent times has decreased from 70%:30% to 50%:50% and is it expected to decline further to 30%:70% or still low. Indian women have started giving priority to the importance of Western-style clothes and hence the prospects for Western women’s wear have been on the rise. Western culture is quite advanced and open. The values, beliefs, traditions, and practices are inspired greatly by European culture. British culture, French culture, and Spanish culture are all included in Western culture.

• Transformation in the Ethnic Wear

Introduction of Western clothing was done five decades ago in the form of celluloid. But until the mid-80s, the social values and stigmas restricted it from becoming mass-appeal. Arrow, Raymonds, Allen Solly, Scullers, Van Heusen, etc. are local men’s wear which is now vending women’s western wear too. Foreign brands like Bossini, Sisley, Tommy Hilfiger, Esprit, and Mango have headed India-ward also.

One of India’s most famous designer brands of saris, Satya Paul, has revolutionized the Indian sari and had created a demand for it all over the world. The collection by him includes a new line of women’s wear called “trouser-saris” and “skirt-saris”, which are pre-pleated saris with a trouser underneath and a skirt pleated and designed to look like a sari. Women’s wardrobe will contain ethnic clothes and may increase in absolute numbers since the size of the wardrobe is getting larger.

• Pros of Western Attire

Western clothes like trouser, skirt or dress give flexibility in comparison to a saree. Saree looks elegant, no doubt but the drape wrapping till ankle offers little space for an easy spread of legs. Thus many of the Indian women find it difficult to travel wearing a saree.

Western clothes are very easy to wear and it takes just a few seconds to slip into a jean, skirt or a dress. Saree, on the other hand, needs a detailed arrangement. You need to take care of the pleats and the pallu and the fall and wearing a saree is an art. Indian girls find saree as a time-consuming affair in the paced world. This is one of the major reason why Indian girls prefer to wear western apparels.

• Choose the Dress According To the Attire

Women in India like to wear western wear and traditional wear as well. They should choose the clothes as per the occasion they wish to attend. You can go with a western dress if you wish to feel comfortable and you can choose saree or salwar kameez in case you wish to look traditional. Wear a perfect dress as per the occasion is an art and choose it accordingly.

A perfect balance needs to be maintained in all things and hence it is inappropriate for one to completely set aside their traditional clothes and become a follower of western trend or vice versa. Western clothing can be worn by us but we should not shy away from our traditional clothes. New trends can still be followed by us but we should promote our culture and be very much attached to our roots.

Also Read: Best To Dress Business Casual, The Green Movement In Fashion, Meaning Of Ethical Fashion