Indian Accessories

Each Indian state has developed its own unique sari style, with different fabric and weaving

style. The reservoir of Indian sari is very large comprising embroidered sari, classy silk saris and special bridal wedding sari. Bandhani is a classic handwork style of Rajasthan and Gujarat. This handwork involves tying and dying of cloth resulting in the production of elaborate patterns and designs on the sari fabric.
Kota Doria, a traditional style of Rajasthan, is created in small villages of Kota City. This style uses a combination of threads to create fine designs, cotton lending firmness and silk giving airy soft feel.

Banarsi, of Banaras City in UP state, is popular and widely appreciated as an exclusive silk sari. This sari exhibits Mughal patterns and designs. Pure silk (katan), organza with zari work, georgette and shatter are the diverse styles in Banaeasi sari collection.

Kanjeevaram silk sari, originated in Kanjeepuram, is one of the finest and most popular forms of silk in Tamilnadu. Its specialty is a combination of colored threads and a lot of zari work. Its significant attractions are the beautiful tribal designs. Now latest patterns are also getting attention.

Orissa Ikat silk saris – The word Ikat means “tied” and justifying it this style handles tie and die process to produce eye catching patterns. It has a heavy gauge and a fine metallic touch, including wide temple style borders.

The light and simple Chanderi saris of Madhya Pradesh are unique with an airy feel and narrow borders and decently designed anchals with buttis.

Paithani saris of Maharashtra are hand-woven and simple looking. The borders are designed with delicate square and pallus with a peacock pattern while the kaleidoscope designs are enchanting.

Cotton printed saris, the cool summer wear, are available in large fabulous varieties, including batik work, bandhni style, block printing and hand made drawings are printed in cities like Mumbai and Kolkotta.

Cotton handlooms, such as Tant, Jamdani and Baluchari Bengal Handloom saris, are known for their lightness and great comfort. The borders exhibit delicate silk threadwork designs, simple but artistic and unique.

Southern weaves include Pochampalli, Venkatgiri, Gadwal, Guntur, Mangalpuri saris of Andhra Pradesh, Coimbatore and Chettinad styles of Tamilnadu and Mysore silk of Karnataka.

Bindi or a red holy dot traditionally is worn by an Indian Hindu woman on the forehead between the two eyebrows in the belief that Bindi will protect her and her husband. It is believed that

bindi on that spot opens her spiritual third eye. Another version is that the most important chakra is present between the eye brows and the bindi will prevent the loss of energy through that point. Also bindi has a connection with Yoga and Ayurvedic principles.

Bindu is a term derived from the Sanskrit word bindu meaning a dot. The traditional color of bindi is red and it is made with vermilion/ tikka powder. Married women in North India used to wear bindi as a small red dot on their forehead. Red color was believed to bring all the fortune to the bride and her family. The family’s welfare and honor were preserved by the red bindi of the bride. In due course bindi evolved into a fashion accessory and attained various shapes and colors. Girls of all age groups began to wear bindi of different colors and styles. Today the color and shape of the bindi match with the outfit worn by a person. Now bindi has become an indispensable item with saris, salwar suit, lehenga and any other Indian costumes.

Belly dancers use bindi as a beautiful accessory and bindi has an important place in ethnic dance costume and body art. Today bindi is considered as a decorative item and even unmarried and non-Hindu women in India, Bangladesh and other countries of South Asia wear this little gem. Presently, self adhesive bindi known as stickers made of felt or thin metal are available with adhesive on one side. These are simple to apply, disposable substitutes for older tilak bindis. Sticker bindis come in many colors, designs, materials, and sizes. Fancy sticker bindis may be decorated with sequins, glass beads, or rhinestones for extra dazzle.

Indian Dupatta is an unavoidable accessory along with salwar kameez. Indian fashion dupatta can not be considered as a traditional wear any more since it has found a place in the arena of fashion world. Dupatta is known by different names like Chunni, Chunari and Odhni. North Indian ladies drape this attire over their heads while they go to temples to offer prayers. But it is not a custom among South Indians. Even today rural women cover their head with a shawl called chunaria showing respect towards elders. The main advantage of Dupatta is that it can fit well with most of the wardrobes, irrespective of classic ethnic or trendy Indo western style. Actually ethnic costumes will never be complete without a dupatta.

The role of a Dupatta is to add grace to the garment. They are available in all bright and radiant colors. They look more attractive with beautiful beads and mirror work on them. When the word Dupattas is mentioned the first name that enters our mind is Lal Dupattas of Rajasthan. These Rajasthani dupattas, red in color, are simply enchanting especially when worn on white color salwar suits. The elegant tie and die prints, known as Laharia provide the magic charm to the Lal Dupattas. Bridal dupattas are too expensive having embroidery works done on them using golden threads. Dupattas worn on religious functions and very special occasions are also costly.

Usually readymade salwar sets include a matching dupatta also. Suit material available for stitching also has a matching dupatta attached to it. In addition several textile shops separately sell dupattas in various fabrics like thin cotton, silk, crepe, georgette, nylon etc with or without prints and designs.

Draping styles of dupatta have evolved paving ways for new fashion trends. Many ladies drape the dupatta over both shoulders with the central portion covering the chest. Some will fold it neatly lengthwise and attire it only on one shoulder. Modern stylish ladies let their gorgeous dupattas hang around their arms. .

Mehendi or Henna has been in the use as a natural cosmetic for the past 5000years. The tradition of mehendi is believed to have originated in North Africa and the Middle East. Only in the 12th century the Mughals brought mehendi to India. As it started to gain more popularity people began to apply more sophisticated methods and designs. Latest research shows that the intricate patterns found in India have assumed their present form in the 20th century only. In the 17th century the barber’s wife was appointed to apply henna on Indian women. From that time most women in India, regardless of their social and marital status embellish their hands and feet with mehendi.

Since the rich and royal families, from very early, used mehendi for various matters it became very popular among people. The reasons for its appeal with the masses are plenty like it is cooling and painless, not permanent like real tattoos and no artistic skill needed to apply it.

Nothing sacred or spiritual is associated with mehendi, but it is believed that it will bring luck, fortune, blessings and benefits to the family. To prepare a mehendi paste, dried leaves are powdered and mixed with water. Then patterns are drawn on the skin by squeezing the paste through the tip of a cone. The girl sits motionless for about 3-4 hours until the designs become dry, hard and crusted. The paste is said to impart a cooling effect on the bride’s nerves. The remains of the paste are removed with water. Now a dark red imprint, lasting for some weeks, is left on the skin.

Today mehendi is gaining a significant place in the fashion world very fast. People all over the world have begun to realize the harmless features of this wonderful paste and consider this as an alternative to real tattoos. This painless mehendi is introduced into the Euro-American culture recently and it is appreciated in the West. Mehendi has got a boost by the Hollywood actors, celebrities and Pop singers who have made this art of skin painting famous. People and cosmopolitan help in spreading the mehendi fashion still further.

Costume jewelry has attained a significant role in the lives of modern women. Only very few Indian women now prefer to decorate themselves with costly heavy gold jewels. Still, for occasions like weddings in India, huge investments are made on gold ornaments.

Costume jewelry is an ornament made out of inexpensive materials ranging from plastic and glass to white metal, cheap alloys and fabric with resale value. Costume jewels have set a fashion trend and they are affordable even to the common man. No doubt, costume jewels bear an aesthetic look and women all over the world love to wear them.

Ever-increasing daytime robberies force the women to abstain from wearing expensive gold ornaments. Today’s too affordable costume jewelry, in various designs and colors offer an alternative to the costly ones. Ladies can select any piece matching to their outfits. They may not last long, but the frequent changing trends compel then to go for the latest styles. If the links are strong and the materials used is of a high quality the jewelry may last many years.

All the ornaments, including small and large earrings, nose rings, chains, necklaces, bangles, wrist bands, waist bands, finger rings, anklets and toe rings, all the jewel pieces with which a typical Indian lady adorns herself, are readily available in the costume shops in enchanted designs and radiant colors. Special mention is to be made to replicas of movie star gems and brooches and bracelets of multi-colored stones. Certain metallic jewelry might be plated with 18 or 22 carat gold minimum 7 times.

This jewelry could be made out of any kind of material available, namely, pure silver, sterling silver, beads, semi precious stones, glass, lac, metal, kundan,, bone, fabric etc. The various forms of cosmetic jewelry are antique, body, magnetic, glass, artificial, crystal, fashion, beaded and imitation jewelries.

Recently India has become a major producer of costume jewelry and a potential exporter of it. Since the main cost of this jewelry is involved in the skill and the labor this could be manufactured in India at a very low cost and consequently the exported goods could be sold at more competitive prices.

Indian necklace is famous for its aesthetic look and soft intricate craftsmanship. A necklace, needless to say, is a jewelry worn around the neck, mainly by women. It is a chain or cord often made up of metals like gold, silver, platinum etc usually attached with a pendant or locket to enhance its beauty. Necklaces made of cloth further accessorized with shells, rocks/gems or even wood are also not rare.

Indian necklaces are very often closed firmly with threaded ropes. The length of the necklace could be adjusted with a string attached to it. This string or cord might be considered as the trademark of Indian jewelry. By loosening or tightening the string the necklace could be worn by women of any size. Also, since Indian necklace is made up of all kinds of stones it becomes rather heavy and the string provides sufficient support to it to be worn around the neck.

Though there are various models of necklaces decorated with different gemstones, color stones or other accessories pearl necklaces are the most popular, worn by ladies for hundreds of years and have evolved into modern styles. The various forms of pearl necklaces are known by different names such as a necklace, with larger pearls at the centre and gradually becoming smaller and smaller towards the clasp is called a graduated pearl necklace while a bib necklace has multiple layers of stepped pearls.A uniform necklace consists of pearls of the same type whereas a dog collar comprises of several pearl layers reaching near the base of the neck. 22”-23” long matinee necklace will touch the top of the cleavage and an opera necklace 30-36inches long touches the breastbone. 18” long princess necklace is between the choker and matinee necklace.

The age-old exquisite designs like mango necklace and jasmine-bid necklace continue to be evergreen favorites. Indian necklaces are mostly handcrafted in beautiful designs. The pendants might consist of lovely patterns or images of god engraved within the metal. The metal could also be carved into the desired patterns.

For ordinary people it is only a dream to access a real gold, diamond or a pearl jewelry as a huge sum is involved in the purchase of them. Now jewels, with affordable prices, at the same time retaining the aesthetic looks of the real ones, come to their rescue. Still worse is the growing fear of theft which compels people not to wear expensive ornaments while going out or keep them in the house either, but safely in bank lockers. They wear them only on special occasions such as weddings, important religious functions etc. These well-to-dos also turn to low cost jewels for daily wear.

In the fat Indian weddings a large amount is spent on expensive wedding ornaments. But it is not sure whether these ornaments will be of any use after the wedding, except during a financial crisis. Otherwise cheap jewels come as an easy way out. To get a genuine diamond jewelry one has to shell out a huge amount. Instead, diamond replica jewelry, looking the same as a real diamond but costing much less are available in eye catchy dazzling designs. The beautiful diamond replicas have become a fashion statement these days after such jewelry have been worn by popular personalities.

Costly gold jewels have a separate place among Indian ladies. Today ornaments, made out of cheap metals like copper, but plated with 1gram pure gold, have the same looks of real gold ornaments. These sparkling 1gram gold ornaments studded with various color stones and artificial pearls are available in intricate designs at very affordable prices ranging from $5-50 with 1-3years guarantee. Jewelry made out of Hyderabad pearls and costume jewelry made out of a variety of materials like pure silver, glass, beads, kundan, semi-precious stones, cheap metals etc have created waves in the fashion world due to their affordability and fabulous designs. The various types of ornaments like necklaces, bangles, earrings, bracelets, anklets, rings etc, sold at low prices, exhibit the same elegance and charm as the original genuine jewelry.

As far as Indian fashion is concerned hair style accessories for ladies hold a commanding position. Hair accessories for women with their stunning looks and exquisite variety are hitting the fashion market in recent times. It gives a unique perfection to their personality by enhancing the beauty. We often see models with gorgeous hair accessories in the fashion pageants. The extensive hair style accessories include barrettes, various colored hair clips, hair claws, hairpins, forks, hairsticks, headbands, scrunchies, ponytail holders and enchanting bridal hair accessories.

Bridal hair accessory is usually studded with various pearls, dazzling gemstones, beads of radiant colors, pretty flowers and crystals. Many types of silk flowers in sizzling designs to decorate hair styles are in vogue. Barrette styles such as ruby bow, amethyst bow, arched pony clip, classic topaz barrette, jet bow, sapphire bow and crystal flower barrette are very popular among fashionable ladies.

Ladies put up their long or short hair in various fascinating styles using hair buns when they attend parties, festivals and other important functions. These hair styles are often decorated with hair nets, beaded pins or long “U” shaped hair clips, flowers or tiny gems. They look simply superb with the traditional Indian wear sari. Women with butterfly bun style are also a common sight. Hair sticks made up of natural bone or exotic wood suit well with all Indian outfits. Ponytail is the current craze among small girls, teens and young women. To make this simple trendy hairstyle more attractive there is a commendable variety of accessories like ponytail holders, scrunchies and silk ribbons. Scrunchies, made up of silk/satin are available in all the colors of rainbow. We have a special elegant band called Boho band to give the hair a nice firm look. Indian women also use accessories like Gajra and Paranda to glorify their hairstyles. Paranda has a fragrance of jasmine flowers and unique vibrant colors which set it apart from Gajra.

South Indian classical dancers and brides wear various hair accessories like nettichutti, chandraprabha, suryaprabha, lakudi, tirukkuppu and mattal, an earring chain that is hooked in the hair.

Nighty: Nighty has become a magic word among women all over India. Started as a night wear, now it is also used as a day wear by ladies while they are in the house doing household duties and going to nearby places. This housecoat, a long gown from shoulder to foot is available in all the leading garment shops as well as at the roadside vendors, in various colors and beautiful designs. They come in small, medium, large and free sizes with or without sleeves. The price is very reasonable ranging from $1-$10 depending on the fabric used to make it. The fabrics include ordinary cotton, superior cotton, synthetic cotton and certain silk materials. Women get a comfortable relaxed feeling while in this dress and it is very easy to wash, easy to dry and no need to press. The popularity of nighty/housecoat is so tremendous that it has become a fashion statement very fast. No wonder, garment shops vie with each other to attract women with their stock of nighties in all possible colors and eyecatchy designs.

Other affordable garments Indian women wear include very simple salwar suits and saris, made out of fabrics like ordinary cotton, synthetic cotton or polyester without any embellishments. They also come in attractive colors and beautiful prints, the price ranging from $2.5-$8. These low-priced wears are the most sold out items in the Indian textile market. Designer saris, having the same looks and softness of their expensive silk counterparts, come in at affordable prices between 6-10dollars. During festival seasons, like Diwali, all Indian textile showrooms are flooded with all sorts of expensive as well as affordable outfits and the business is at its peak then. Jewels and costume accessories also make a very substantial profit at that time.

To conclude, most Indians believe in astrology strongly and firmly. They trust that the rays emitted from the nine precious genuine gemstones like diamond, sapphire, emerald, pearl, ruby, topaz, opal, coral and turquoise will fetch wealth and health removing all the miseries and hardships from the family. Men and women make ornaments, usually golden rings, studded with the gems together or separately and wear them on their body.

Belly Chains

Belly chains, a popular jewelry in India are worn around the waist by young as well as older women. These elegant chains are available in sterling silver, in a single layer along with buckles which help to adjust different waist sizes. Classical as well as folk dancers wear beautiful, sparkling waist chains as an accessory.

A prominent waist chain is a long chain with some sort of charms or jewels dangling from it.Cabret dancers wear them more often than any other form of dancers. Belly chains are a hot fashion trend in jewelry. The latest hits include thin slinky belly chains, bold and large-beaded chains and a chain with a simple lace clinging to the waist softly.

The waist jewels were very popular in ancient India as seen in several temple sculptures, miniature paintings and frescoes from the Indus Valley Civilization onwards. To make the silver belly ornaments flexible they are made by chaining or threading together several links and they attain elasticity by the application of fine work.

Bangles

Bangles are one of the most popular traditional jewelry in India. Indian women wear bangles in pairs, one or more on each arm. They are made of precious materials such as gold, silver and platinum and non-precious like glass, wood, ferrous metals and plastic. Indian ladies like to wear either gold or glass bangles or a combination of both. Indian women’s craze, gold bangles are sold either plain and simple or highly decorated with precious or semi-precious stones, say diamonds, gems and pearls. Cheap glass and plastic bangles are available in various eye- catchy colors and intricate designs. Slowly plastic bangles are taking the place of glass bangles; but still glass bangles are preferred in marriages and religious functions.

Necklaces

India is famous for its necklaces, gold or any other materials, either plain or decorated with precious stones. However Indian woman wears a special necklace, ‘mangalasutra’, an equivalent to Western wedding ring, on her wedding day and removes it only if her husband dies.