what drives cultures to have specific clothes

In current society, it is so easy to look at outfits associated with various cultures through social media, without truly understanding the history behind their significance.

Clothes have never been just that, they always have been a form of expression and statement. In every country, there are many types of clothing which are considered to be traditional. Let's take a look at some of them to find out the real reason behind traditional clothing choices, stepping away from the ignorance of “clothes are just clothes and they don't have any meaning” that we sometimes see online.

India has always been a centre of various different cultures and incredible fashion trends. Every state has their own cultural wear, often leaking into western fashion in a way that can definitely be seen as appropriation. 

Maharashtra 

Maharashtra is a state in India, one of the biggest hubs for opportunities. In Maharashtra lies Mumbai, a place of every Indian’s dreams. Their traditional cloth is a type of saree which is around 9 yards long and is called ‘lugade’ or ‘nauvari’. The saree is never plain or what we call now ‘minimalist’ but instead the colours are very vibrant and bright. It's not like any regular saree as it is very unique, the saree is draped entirely differently. 

It is draped as a trouser. This is not just for ‘aesthetics’, but because in the past it was required for the labour intensive agriculture work which both men and women used to do. The trouser style draping allowed women to move freely without worrying about getting injured or feeling hot. The blouse is made from cotton and it has a hook in the front making it easier to remove. 

Kashmir 

Pheran traditional cloth of jammu and kashmir is a cultural heritage of the kashmiri’s. Traditionally it is very loose with very long sleeves, and both men and women wear it. Women's pheran are more in vibrant colours and they have special embroidery work which is known as ‘zari’. Pheran wasn't just seen as a cultural heritage, but was alsouseful through changes in climate. It is made from the appropriate materials, for example for winter it is made from wool and for summer it's made from silk velvet or cotton.

Conclusion

There are thousands of different cultures that each have their own traditions, and these are just two examples. Traditional attire is not cultural heritage for aesthetic purposes, but because they often hold a lot of history.  

XOXO, The Fashion Stock Market