Gujarat is one of the most energetic States of India located on the western coast of the country it has preserved the cultural features of its clothing traditions. The new state like any other area has differentiated population densities with separate practices of dressing for its different areas, such as the coastals and the desert.
Traditional Dress for Women
The most fabulous example of traditional dress in Gujarat for women is a Chaniya Choli. This encompasses a brightly colored wide bottomed garment known as chaniya and a tight fitting blouse referred to as choli, and is worn typically with a brightly colored scarf known as dupatta. This dress is specially used during events such as Navratri where women elegantly dance during the Garba and Dandiya. The dress is generally unstitched and embroidered with zari, zardosi, and mirror work along with remarkable bandhani work on the outfit.
When it comes to the evening wear and marriage, Gujarati women prefer saree. It is also traditional dress in Gujarat.Patola sari the double ikat weaving technique is famous is considered to be owned by many as a luxury. The other types of saree fashion are the Bandhani saree characterized by an intricate art of tie and dye and the Gharchola saree a Gujarati bridal saree.
Traditional Dress for Men
Gujarati men have always preferred to dhoti that’s a piece of cloth tucked from the waist to the legs in vertuous fashion with a kurta a long loose shirt. There is no doubt these type of clothes are easy to wear and can be worn for casual and formal occasions. For parl, men don a Kediy celebrated as a short by a Kediyu, an embroidered jacket that is worn over a kurta. The Kediyu it worn together with a Chorno, a long shirt, which reaches the mid-shin part of the legsvn.
Pheta is a traditional dress in Gujarat , which is a colorful turban. It means dignity, recognition ethnic and cultural sanctity. The style and colour of the Pheta may differ depending on the area and the purpose of wearing.
Regional Variations
The different zones of the Gujarat state have their cultural variation of the traditional costumes. For example the region of Kutch famous for rich embroidery and mirror work are evident in clothing for both males and females. The indigenous people of gujarat like rabari and bharwad have their own personal dressing style, wherein they are heavy users of natural dyes and vast patterns.
Modern Influences
Drinking and eating in bharatan style is still prevalent in the traditions of modern Gujarati lifestyle, yet fashion trends are also an influential factor in the garments. At present it has become a fashion for Gujarati women and men to merge traditional clothing styles with those of the current generation. For instance, Chaniya Cholis are Shrine Wears which are available nowadays in modern fabrics and collections and the men have started wearing fusion wears which carries an amalgamation of modernity and tradition.
However custom made Gujarati dress is still loved and appreciated for aesthetical sense, cultural value and comfort even in modern era. Presumably this can trigger the interest in the history of the state as well the cultural identity of people living there.
