By Hemant SharmaSee, when someone asks you what people traditionally wear in Delhi, you must have felt confused while answering, right? Like, whenever you have visited Delhi, you mostly see people in just western dresses, and that’s pretty much it. It is not like Delhi has its own different culture, or it feels like a mix of all the Indian cultures, especially from the northern part of the country, right? But the thing is, Delhi also has its traditional dresses that men and women used to wear in times like the Delhi Sultanate and the Mughal Empire. But since you do not see a lot of people wearing these dresses in daily life, you don’t think much of it. Today, though, we’re here to specifically talk about the traditional dresses of Delhi, like what men and women traditionally wear here.
Traditional Dress for Women in Delhi
1. Salwar Kameez
In fact, Salwar Kameez happens to be the ever-popular traditional attire of women in Delhi. It is essentially a long top (called a kameez), loose pants (called salwar), and a scarf (called a dupatta). Most of the Salwar Kameez sets have super pretty embroideries, mirror works, or shiny thread designs like zardosi.
2. Sarees
And yes, sarees are simply adored by women, no matter where you are in India, like, especially for occasions and festivals. If you’re looking for some well-known types, you have Chikankari Sarees with white embroidery work which is as elegant as it can get, and there are Zardosi Sarees, which are heavily embroidered, just perfect for marriages.
3. Ghagra Choli & Lehengas
These are basically long skirts with a matching blouse and dupatta. And they are a favourite during weddings and festivals. Most of the time, the designs have some shiny thread works with beads and mirrors, and yes, they are not as popular as other dresses, but you’ll see someone wearing them here and there.
4. Anarkali Suits and Sharara Sets
These suits mainly have a long frock fitted with very free-flowing fabric, usually complemented with leggings or churidar. On the contrary, Sharara sets come with wide-legged pants at the bottom. Certainly, both attires are kinda the go-to for weddings and even for worship places.
5. Dupattas & Accessories
Women really love to put on very colourful dupattas teemed with embroidery or mirror work. And for adornments, aka those accessories, you see, there are beautiful bangles, earrings and necklaces made with Kundan or stones.
Traditional Dress for Men in Delhi
1. Kurta-Pajama
A kurta is pretty much a long shirt, and you wear it with loose pants called pyjamas. It’s super common daily wear for a lot of men, especially older ones or during traditional events.
2. Sherwani
For sure, Sherwanis are really special outfits that grooms wear during weddings. They’re super fancy long coats with heavy embroidery, and you wear them with churidar pants and a turban, well, mostly, that’s the combination.
3. Dhoti-Kurta
Well, as many of you may already know like a dhoti is pretty much a long piece of cloth you tie around the waist. And men usually wear/pair it with a kurta. It’s super common among elders or during religious functions.
4. Modern Fusion Styles
Younger men are really into traditional clothing with a modern twist, such as going with a kurta with jeans or tossing on a Nehru jacket over a formal shirt. Well, these fusion styles have now been all the rage in Delhi, at least in the last few years or so.
Seasonal Clothing Traditions
Summer
Delhi summer, indeed, really is scorching hot. People put on the lightest and airiest clothes, mostly cotton or linen-made. Women are quite fond of cotton suits, soft colour saris, with floral jumpsuits. Men usually go for cotton kurtas or shirts with pyjamas or trousers.
Winter
Delhi winters, for sure, are hellishly cold, too. In fact, that’s why layering over clothing is super important. The best bet for women is really warm shawls with velvet suits or even sweaters paired with sarees. Men usually wear woollen kurtas and then layer them with jackets or coats over these traditional clothes.
Monsoon
In the rainy season, people wear fabrics like rayons or polyesters, which dry super fast. Light suit or kurti is what a female loves the most, but no heavy sarees. Men, on the other hand, prefer casual t-shirts or kurtas along with sandals or waterproof shoes.