A brief look on Indian fashion

India has a rich and varied textile heritage, where each region of India has its own unique native costume and traditional attire. While traditional clothes are still worn in most of rural India, urban India is changing rapidly, with international fashion trends reflected by the young and glamorous, in the cosmopolitan metros of India.

Fashion in India is a vibrant scene, a nascent industry and a colorful and glamorous world where designers and models start new trends every day.Fashion in India covers a whole range of clothing from ornate clothes designed for wedding ceremonies to casual wear. Traditional Indian techniques of embroidery such as chikhan, crewel and zardosi, and traditional weaves and fabrics have been used by Indian designers to create Indo-western clothing in a fusion of the best of East and West.

Indian Sarees:Saree (Sari), an Indian wear makes a woman look graceful, stylish, elegant and sensuous.Saris can be worn and carried out by all, whether thin or fat. A sari is never outdated and has evolved through the ages it can be worn to a marriage or a party and is yet a fashion statement.Silk saris look really rich and even little embroidery stands out on the garment fabulously. The Indian sarees of the women in India has a history which goes way back during the ancient times. There have been several versions of its beginnings, why women consider wearing it as part of their tradition.Nothing identifies a woman as being Indian so strongly as the Saree - the quintessential Indian female garment. The 6 yard, unstitched, fluid garment over and around the body, adjusted with little tucks and pulls is one of the most graceful pictures ever. "The saree undoubtedly is the most sensuous garment ever." "And the best thing about it is that it conceals as much as it reveals." The Saree is one of the most feminine outfits ever. And that's the secret behind its survival through various fashion eras like bell-bottoms, drainpipe and now low-rise jeans." The origin of this fabulous garment is a bit obscure due to lack of proper historical records in India but one thing's for sure - the Saree boasts the oldest existence in the sartorial world. It is more than 5000 years old and is mentioned in the Vedas. Saree (original - Chira in Sanskrit for cloth) is of varied length. From 5 yards to 9.5 yards tied loosely, folded and pleated, it can be turned into a working dress or party wear with manual skill. For the day-to-day dressing of middle class women, a 5-6 yard is comfortable today. The Saree is associated with the ancient North Indian terracotta worn by a woman, to the creations crafted by the 21st century designers. Today Sarees continue to be worn for both fashion & form. The fashion-conscious understands the versatility of the drape while the urban and rural dweller its utility.

Handloom Sarees

Handloom Sarees:Indian hand woven fabrics have been known since time immemorial. Poets of the Mughal durbar likened our muslins to baft hawa (woven air), abe rawan (running water) and shabnam (morning dew). A tale runs that Emperor Aurangzeb had a fit of rage when he one day saw his daughter princess Zeb-un-Nissa clad in almost nothing. On being severely rebuked, the princess explained that she had not one but seven jamahs (dresses) on her body.Such was the fineness of the hand woven fabrics. Though India was famous even in ancient times as an exporter of textiles to most parts of the civilized world, few actual fabrics of the early dyed or printed cottons have survived. This, it is explained is due to a hot, moist climate and the existence of the monsoons in India. It is not surprising therefore, that Egypt which has an exceptionally dry climate would provide evidence which India lacks. The earliest Indian fragment of cloth (before the Christian era) with a hansa (swan) design was excavated from a site near Cairo where the hot dry sand of the desert acted as a preservative. Later, fragments of finely woven and madder-dyed cotton fabrics and shuttles were found at some of the excavated sites of Mohenjodaro (Indus valley civilization). Indian floral prints, dating back to the 18th century A.D were discovered by Sir Aurel Stein in the icy waters of Central Asia. The evidence shows that of all the arts and crafts of India, traditional handloom textiles are probably the oldest. Handlooms are an important craft product and comprise the largest cottage industry of the country. Millions of looms across the country are engaged in weaving cotton, silk and other natural fibers. There is hardly a village where weavers do not exist, each weaving out the traditional beauty of India’s own precious heritage.
Balchuri Saree
Sambalpuri Saree

Bomkai Saree

Kanjeevaram Sarees
Mysore Silk Sarees
Banarasi Sarees
Bandhani Sarees
Chikan Sarees

Jewellery & Ornaments In India

In India, a woman is traditionally gifted jewellery at the time of her wedding. The jewellery is from both her parents and her in-laws. The logic is simple. Apart from the obvious purpose of ornamentation, the jewellery is her safeguard against the proverbial rainy day. Bereft of an income of her own, she can trade in her jewellery as and when the need arises.But this is not to say that the Indian woman does not like her ornaments well-crafted. Every market in India has its own share of gold and silversmiths. While gold jewellery is pretty much a favourite with the rich and the affluent, village belles swear by silver.

Gems Many palmists and astrologers tell you precisely the clarity and carat required to ward off the evil eye or reverse a spell of ill-luck. Some of the good buys here are emeralds, sapphires, rubies, garnets, amethysts, corals and turquoise. The craft of cutting and polishing stones to achieve the most gleaming facets has been honed to perfection by the artisans of Jaipur and Calcutta.

Gold: The women of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala and Maharashtra are great sticklers for gold. This shiny metal is considered uspicious, not to mention a status symbol. Even the humblest bride down south has some gold in her trousseau. Handcrafted gold jewellery is still very much the norm though machine-made trinkets are fast catching on. The major difference between the jewellery of north and south India is in the detail, delicacy and motifs. While north Indians think small is beautiful, south Indians certainly believe otherwise.
Kundan:- Delhi, Jaipur and Udaipur are famous for the age-old technique of setting gems in gold called Kundan. It is the Mughal-inspired art of setting precious stones like diamonds, emeralds and rubies in gold and silver. Gems are bedded in a surround of gold leaf rather than secured by a rim or claw.
Meenakari Enameling or meenakari was originally meant to protect gold, which in its pure state is so soft and malleable that it can easily wear away. However, the technique soon came to be used for all sorts of objet d’arts. Now before you ask, enameling is a champleve technique, which in simple English means that a recess is hollowed out in the surface of gold or silver to take in a mineral. For example, cobalt oxide, which gives a blue color, is then fired into the depression so as to leave a thin line separating the segments of color. The patterns are usually floral and colored in red, green and blue and can be seen on small jewellery and kumkum boxes.

The various kinds of adornments in silver are: tikka or the spherical pendant for the forehead; dangling earrings called jhumkas; hansli or the choker; nath or the nose ring which may be attached with a chain to the adjacent jhumka; a girdle or taqri for the waist; a series of bracelets called kadas; payals or anklets with tiny bells on them; and finally the chakti or toe rings of the married women. Also men of Rajasthan commonly wear chokers, earrings and bracelets too.The designs are a lovely blend of Hindu and Islamic styles, as are the karigars (craftsmen) who may be Hindu or Muslim. Silver jewellery with ornate tribal designs is a big hit too. A relatively new addition to the repertoire is silver studded with semi-precious stones. Rajasthan, Gujarat, Himachal and Ladakh are the most happening centers of silver jewellery.

Threads, Beads & CowriesThe intricate and artistic twisting of thread is itself seen as an embellishment by the tribal communities of India. They often weave cotton thread into a broad band as a textured or patterned base, then loop through buttons, beads, metallic droplets or whatever catches their fancy. Beads, shells, cowries and feathers are simple but amazingly creative means to adorn the body beautiful. Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh and the northeastern states of Assam, Nagaland and Mizoram top the list of makers of such jewellery.
Bangles add grace to the feminin beauty. Indian has an ample treasure of exquisite,colorful bangles, that does not match anything. Shellac Bangles Brightly colored lac bangles are a gay and inexpensive buy in Delhi and Rajasthan. In the pink city of Jaipur, lac trinkets are a common sight in every bazaar. Check out the dazzling bangles, often studded with glass gems, spirals of base-metal wire amid a wavy striping of other colors.

Bridal Jewelery: Indian brides wear jewelry sets that are made in gold, be it necklaces, bangles, anklets and earrings. Many a time, the bridal jewelry is set with diamonds and other precious stones. The modern day bride prefers to have some modern wearable items of gold jewelry in her trousseau. Not many would like to be weighed down by heavy jewelry that cannot be worn often and will be more an invitation for thieves. Come the wedding season and you can see crowds thronging the jewelry stores. Indian bridal jewelry has always been considered her 'streedhan' - personal wealth that would stand in good stead in times of need. Indian jewelry for brides is created to enhance the beauty of the woman. The gentle tinkle of the anklets around delicate feet, a set of jingling bangles on her hands and an exquisitely crafted necklace round her neck - the Indian bride looks resplendent in her finery and colorful profusion. Some bridal ornaments such as waistbands and armlets are seldom worn these days.

Lehengas

A Lehenga is a dress worn with a choli. also called a gypsy skirt or lehnga. While women of the Gujarat and Rajasthan provinces of India usually represent the outfit for foreigners, the lehenga is native to various parts of India. Based on what part of India one is referring to, the lehenga is worn in different styles, made of different fabrics and includes unique patterns. The lehenga of Rajasthan and gujarat is known for its bandhni work which is a technique in tie-dye mastered by Hindu women of the region.

In the Southern states of India, the lehenga skirt is not as voluminous and is worn without a chunni/chunri but with a kurti that covers the midriff. The Lehenga worn in the Northern states of Uttar Pradesh and Uttarkhand has a voluminous skirt and kurti/choli that covers midriff with a long chunni The Lehenga Choli is the most popular choice in India for women's wedding apparel. The most traditional color for a wedding lehenga is red.What sets an Indian garment the most beautiful and attractive is their elegance and simplicity with a combination of style. And one of such marvelous dresses is lehnga. It is a dress that is usually worn on certain special occasion which are special in some way or the other. It is dress in which there is blouse and then the lower in the form of long skirt and lastly a beautiful dupatta which would have varying lengths depending on one’s desire and the style of lehnga. Well, whichever be your dress now-a-days it is not enough just to depend upon your dress designers or any famous label because style matters and style is something which must suit you.And whether the dress will suit you or not will depend upon your personality and the style, cuts and fabric of the dress. So how can one even think of depending on a mere label.Any ways to have a real head turning look you need to have a wonderfully designed lehnga. So here i want to discuss with you few of the embroideries which are prominent in lehnga designing. Well, did i tell you that nothing works better in a lehnga than designing? Well, i have told now! So let’s proceed.Zardozi is one of the most popular embroidery that is extensively used in order to embellish the lehngas, and that too by almost all the renouned and international designers.This is the evergreen fashion to design the lehngas with the ultimate zardozi. Traditionally it is used in gold and silver wire and even the classic rich silk and velvet textiles. Often readymade shapes of the material, with names such as nakshi, sadi, kora and kangani are attached in to form somewhat a zardozi pattern.These lehnga cholis are available in all sizes so that no women is left from the adornment of the beauty of lehnga. It has got a very beautiful and interesting history in India.These are a real fashion for wedding purposes and then you can’t prove a fashion item as wrong which has been in fashion since ages, nearly for hundred of years.This is the dress which is suited to all kind of female body shapes. In the royal Indian period the works on lehngas used to be done with real silver and gold.

Salwar Kameez

Salwar kameez (also spelled shalwar kameez or shalwar qameez) is a traditional dress worn by both women and men in South Asia. Salvars or shalvars are loose pajama-liketrousers. The legs are wide at the top, and narrow at the bottom. The kameez is a long shirt or tunic. The side seams (known as the chaak) are left open below the waist-line,which gives the wearer greater freedom of movement. In Afghanistan and Pakistan, the garment is worn by both sexes. In India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, it is most commonly awoman's garment, albeit still worn by some men.Salwar (with Kabuli sandals) as worn in South and Central Asia. A man's salwar held up to display amount of material needed.Salwars are gathered at the waist and held up by a drawstring or an elastic belt. The pants can be wide and baggy, orthey can be quite narrow and made of fabric cut on the bias. In the latter case, they are known as churidars. The kameez is usually cut straight and flat; older kameez usetraditional cuts, as shown in the illustration; modern kameez are more likely to have European-inspired set-in sleeves. The tailor's taste and skill are usually displayed not inthe overall cut, but in the shape of the neckline and the decoration of the kameez.When women wear the salwar kameez, they usually wear a long scarf or shawl called a dupatta around the head or neck. For Muslim women, the dupatta is a less stringentalternative to the chador or burqa (see hijab and purdah). For Sikh and Hindu women (especially those from northern India, where the salwar kameez is most popular), the dupattais useful when the head must be covered, as in a temple or the presence of elders. For other women, the dupatta is simply a stylish accessory that can be worn over one shoulderor draped around the chest and over both shoulders.Modern versions of the feminine salwar kameez can be much less modest than traditional versions. The kameez may be cut with a plunging neckline, sewn in diaphanous fabrics, orstyled in sleeveless or cap-sleeve designs. The kameez side seams may be split high up to the waistline and, it may be worn with the salwar slung low on the hips. When womenwear semi-transparent kameez (mostly as a party dress), they wear a choli or a cropped camisole underneath it.The Shalwar kameez is sometimes known as "Punjabi suit," in Britain[1] and Canada.[2] In Britain, especially during the last two decades, the garment has been transformed froman everyday garment worn by immigrant South Asian women from the Punjab region to one with mainstream, and even high-fashion, appeal.In India, the garment was originally confined to the North, but as a convenient and modest alternative to a sari - and also as one that flatters practically any body-type - ithas become popular across the nation. By varying the fabric, color and the level of embroidery and decoration, the salwar-kameez can be formal, casual, dressy, or plain; and itcan also be made to suit practically all climates.

More on Indian Handlooms...

Baluchari sari is the most well-known Bengal Silk sari.It is a product of exquisite design and fabulous weaving technique.Produced in the town of Baluchar in Murshidabad district of West Bengal, Baluchari sarees are nation and world wide popular because of their artistic and unique design.'Baluchari' is one of the most popular weaving techniques of Bengal.Silk weaving of Baluchar continues to be an important landmark of Bengal's handloom tradition. Balucharisarees are woven in Bengal silks which are much acclaimed in the world over, since ancient times. Like silk, cotton baluchari sarees are also woven in a fascinating andexquisite range. The cloth is very fine and transparent with a soft drape.The sari has large flowing kalka motifs in the centre surrounded by narrow ornamental borders. Theseare framed by a series of figural motifs worked in rows around the kalkas. These motifs are woven diagonally and are worked in four alternating colours, white, blue, yellow, redand green on a shaded background. The motifs are entirely in silver zari. The most distinctive feature of Baluchari sarees is their elaborate borders and pallu. The Famous Handloom sarees of India are as follows. Baluchari is usually five yards in length. These sarees have colors, which harmonize with one another. You will not find any contrasting colors in it. Even if the sari is red, you will find intricate golden work on it, which will give it an elegant and royal look.Mostly nature designs like flowers, shrubs etc. are woven into the silk base of these sarees. Narrative designs such as people on horses, musicians playing, men and women in various poses are also popular Baluchari designs. Baluchari sarees are rich and sophisticated. They can be worn by young girls, middle-aged women as well as elder women; such is the beauty of the Baluchari.It takes a lot of time and hard labor to weave a Baluchari. Firstly, the silk worms are reared. When they turn into cocoons, the silk thread is extracted from the cocoon. Then the silk threads are processed and dyed in various colors. Then patterns are woven onto the silk, using various threads. Now when you see a Baluchari in a shop, you will know how much time and labor goes into making a single piece.The history of the Baluchari goes back centuries. During the rule of the Mughals, Baluchari was in high demand. It was mostly reserved for the elite class due to its high quality. Only royal families and members of the royal court used to wear Baluchari.

Orissa Sambalpuri sarees are some of the most beautiful sarees in India. These Sambalpuri sarees are an unparalleled one. The sarees come in a variety of designs and colours to suit every taste and pocket. In the 1980s, the Sambalpuri sari became an international brand, thanks to substantial non-governmental support and the setting up of weavers' cooperatives. Late Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi became a sort of 'brand ambassador' of the Sambalpuri saree -- it was her favourite attire. Newsreaders on India's national television channel, Doordarshan, turned this saree into an unofficial uniform.Sambalpuri textile is essentially handloom. It is fabricated using tie and dye method. The craftsman conceptualizes the design, draws it and according to the design, he colors the yarn, all by hand. It represents the life and gives a message "Your body may wear but they soul lives for ever". The fabrics once colored cannot be bleached. The fabric may get thin and gradually damage but the colour still does not fade. The fabric is both silk and cotton. Sambalpuri sarees are famous for their unique designs and for their beautiful, effulgent colors. Sambalpuri cotton sarees have a smooth finish and have a distinctly original border and pallu. Fish, conch shell and flower motifs are woven into the fabric. Sometimes floral and animal motifs are also used to decorate the borders and pallu. Silk Sambalpuri sarees from Orissa are also in single and double ikat. In contrast to the ikats of Gujarat, these sarees are sober in color and decorated with curved forms.

Bomkai Sarees:Another variety of saree avaible in Orissa is the Bomkai saree. Produced in a small town called Bomkai in Orissa, these sarees also have touches of ikat work, like the Sambalpuri sarees.Both cotton and silk fabric are used in making Bomkai sarees. For regular wear, cotton bomkai is favoured. A Bomkai Cotton Saree is also an excellent choice for any religious function. Bomkai Silk Sarees are generally worn in formal and semi formal occasions. There are Bomkai sarees with elegant designs, enchanting colors for the exclusive women. Some Bomkai saree have small fishes woven onto the border. Fish symbolizes prosperity and good health. Bomkai sarees feature threadwork ornament borders and pallu. East Indian ladies love to wear Bomkai sarees for their traditional tribal look, as well as their understated and elegant color pallette. A combination of ikat and Bomkai is very unique.

Kanjeevaram silk sarees are perhaps the most well known of Indian silk sarees. They are the famous sarees of Tamil Nadu. They are world famous for their royal look and rich feel. The Kanjeevaram sari gets its name from the town it originated in - Kanchipuram, a little temple town in Tamil Nadu. The Kanjeevaram sari is not only the choice for weddings in South India and elsewhere but also worn at all other auspicious and religious occasions. The Kanjeevaram sari is a tradition often passed on from mother to daughter over several generations as an heirloom in much the same way they might pass on jewellery or diamonds. A Kanjeevaram sari is made to last a lifetime.The Kanjeevaram sari is made of a heavy silk called Kanjivaram silk, so durable that it can be washed in water at home. It is one of the most finest and most popular forms of silk in Tamilnadu. Kanjee silk is thicker than almost all other silks, and is therefore more expensive. The heavier the silk, the better the quality. While there are light weight Kanjee sarees made from Korean and Chinese silk, only mulberry silk produced in Karnataka and few parts of Tamil Nadu, is right silk for the classic Kanjeevaram sari.The creation of a Kanjeevaram sari is no easy task. The process begins with the the silk thread being twisted, then dyed and dried in the sun after which it is ready for the weaver's loom. The weaver creates the border, body and pallu separately and then interlocks them together in an impossible to detach joint. A weaver takes about 10-12 days to weave a simple Kanjeevaram sari while decorative ones could take up to 20 days. Kanjeevarams are favoured for their durability.Kanjeevaram silk sarees are always of bold and bright colour contrasts, favoured by almost every Indian woman. the silk; the 'zari' work in the border and the Pallu are generally woven in gold-dipped silver threads. The more the Zari the more expensive you can expect the sari to be.

Mysore silk sarees are very popular sarees of South India. Rich Mysore silk sarees can be selected in a variety of color combinations and prints. The traditional Mysore silk sarees may soon be the next product which would put Karnataka on the world map. It will soon become as good as a patented product.Mysore silk is one of the most popular and finest and purest forms of silk. Mysore silk is a famous variety of silk made in Mysore and Bangalore in Karnataka. Known for its extraordinary quality and permanence of luster, it is an integral part of the Karnataka's culture. In this region, people always wear some kind of silk while participating in a ritual. Mysore silk draws its fame from the purity of the silk, its lustre, softness and richness of its natural colour which gave it precedence over all other silks.The weight and the content of gold or silver thread used mainly in the intricate border and the pallau or the headpiece determine the price of the sarees. A saree usually weighs between 400 and 600 grams (15-21 ounces). The silk is dyed using natural pigments and woven into intricate but, subtle patterns featuring motfis of birds or fruits. The painstaking production process by the weavers ensures that every aspect of the saree is perfect.Mysore silk saree with its extraordinary sheen of the fabric, purity of the zari, the distinctive drape, a wonderful non-crush quality, and a butter-soft feel gives a elegant look to anyone who wears it.These classy sarees are not only washable, but also durable. The zari too rarely fades because the yarn used has the maximum gold and silver compared to any silk saree in the country. The intricate zari work on the borders and pallu set them apart. Mysore silk saree is undergoing a makeover with new kasuti embroidery, bandhini designs, rich woven pallus, and with a palette of exciting vibrant colors lilac, ecru, coffee-brown and elephant-grey, and contemporary designs, all inspired by traditional Indian architecture and ancient Indian jewellery. This saree exhibiting a range of rich colors, with golden threads interwoven in it for an enhanced effect, has almost acquired a legendary status due to its sheer beauty and demand.

Banarasi sarees are world famous for their royal look and rich feel. This saree is a combination of style, beautiful craftwork and good quality. 'Banarasi Saree' is considered to be the Indian 'SUN' in the world of fashion and has been a subject of great inspiration and appreciation world-wide. It was in the Mughal era Baranasi saree came into popularity and got fashion currency. Today, this Indian fashion sari has witnessed a continuous growth in demand in both Indian and International markets.There are mainly four varieties of Benarasi saree available today. They are Pure silk (katan),Organza (kora) with zari and silk ,Georgette ,Shattir.The Banarasi silk saree is popular for its rich and intricate weave and zari work. Banarasi Sarees have designs with original gold and silver thread. Some of the designs on the body of a banaresi sarees are as follows: Benarasi sarees often depict scenes of villages, fairs, flowers, dancing monkeys and clouds. Traditional designs remain the base appeal for Benarasi sarees. There are also temple and mosque designs. They come up in all shades. Most brocades usually have designs that exhibit Mughal patterns such as intricate intertwining floral and foliate motifs, kalga and bel.A distinct feature found along the inner, and sometimes outer, edge of borders in this saree is a narrow fringe like pattern that often looks like a string of upright leaves called jhallr.The pallus of these sarees have elaborate pure gold and silver designs densely woven with gold and multicolor thread which lend the saree its elegance. Its major attraction lies in colorful dying of silk fabric. The brocade that is used in producing these sarees are Amru silk brocades which are world famous. Jamvar, Navrangi (nine colors), Jamdani etc. are other brocade types from the range of Banarasi sarees. Owing to its beautiful designs and colors, a banarasi silk sari always has come to occupy a special place among buyers, throughout the world. The people with rich taste love the beauty and intricate design of the Banarasi sarees as these are very elegant and gorgeous.

Bandhani and bandhej sarees are typical of the states of Rajasthan and Gujarat. Bandhani sarees created by dyeing the cloth in such a manner that the tied 'spots' produce elaborate patterns over the fabric. Bandhani sarees have won lot of appreciation in the fashion market.Simple bandhani sarees are basically in cottons and are ideal for the Indian summers. There are also silk or chiffon bandhani sarees with sequins or zari work. Bandhani is a handwork, which involves tying and dying of cloth. To create the Bandhani designs, the Bandhej process involves tightly tying a string or "dori" around certain areas of the fabric and then dipping it in to a dye. After a short while, the fabric is taken out of the dye and the string is removed. On opening the fabric, you will see that the areas covered by the string have retained their original color while the rest of the fabric has been dyed. Bandhani work, after the processing is over, results into a variety of symbols including, dots, squares, waves and strips. The tying of cloth with thread and then dying it is the simplest and perhaps the oldest form of creating patterns on a plain piece of cloth.The dominant colors in Bandhani sarees are bright like yellow, red, green and pink. Maroon is also popular. But with changing times, as Bandhani has become a part of fashion, various pastel colors and shades are being used. Single colour sarees with white spots are also common. There are bandhani sarees with contrast colours, with zori borders. The various tye and dye designs on bandhani sarees are Bandhej, Lehriya, Batik, Mothra, Ekdali, Shikari, Cheent.

The Chikan Saree of Lucknow is perhaps one of the most popular embroidered saree in India. It has a certain grace and elegance, which ensures that it never goes out of style.Chikan is a traditional embroidery style. It is a form of hand embroidery with pattern, of predominantly different designs, stitched using untwisted white cotton or silk (and now rayon) threads on the surface of the fabric. It is said to have been originally introduced by Nur Jahan, the beautiful wife of the Mughal emperor, Jahangir. It has since evolved and attained its glory and perfection in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. Chikan Sarees are perfect for any kind of regular occasion. Chikan sarees are simple but give a classy look to anyone who wears it. Generally, the sarees are light earth colours and pastel shades. Traditionally, the threads used are in the same colour as the fabric. The self color embroidery looks rich on every age group and color. Nowadays, you also have chikan sarees with contrast colours in the body and the embroidery. Patterns and effects created depend on types of stitches used and the thickness of the threads used in embroidery. The variety of stitches used are back-stitch, chain stitch and hemstitch. The major type of Chikan work done today are Taipchi, Bakhia, Phanda, Murri, Jali, Hatkati, Pechni, Ghas Patti, Chaana Pati etc. The chikan embroidered sarees with their incredible embroidered patterns are collector's items.