Evolving Fashion Trends – Then and Now

Well Isn’t it quite an understatement if one thinks that fashion in India has come of age and in the last few decades, there has been a complete shift of thought as to how fashion was perceived to be and how the recent trends has transformed Indian Fashion into a global brand.

India being a country with an age old legacy of clothing & known for producing some of the best intricate creations in the world, yet seems to have a long way to go

How it All Began-

Over the years, popular Bollywood trends have been dominating the fashion scene from Madhubala’s Anarkali-look with kurtas and churidars in Mughal-e-Azam (1960),to the purple embroidered sari worn by Madhuri Dixit in Hum Aapke Hain Koun. Thus, by taking a cue form history and passing on the rich & royal flavour onto the costumes designed for movies or social events has facilitated Indian designers and Indian clothes to make its mark all over the world.

The Birth of Changing Fashion-

Moreover, it was not until the birth of the 80s which was the period when the first generation of Indian fashion designers started to emerge including Satya Paul. Research shows that the designs and ensembles from some of the world’s most talented designers, proves that- some of these “new” trends are simply a part of the Retro-culture which brings back yesteryears fashion into the present times.

The “Feminine Factor” – Biggest influence on evolving Fashion-

Fashion is & always been women centric, no doubt whenever a woman is dressed in a traditional “Saree” it makes her look sensuous and beautiful. Naturally this explains the great extent to which Indian woman have been the centre of attraction to all things that is about fashion & social change.Today the ‘Saree’ is no more the staple dress for women that it was once upon a time and even women in their 30s today find it not so practical in wearing the Saree as they are not used to it. No wonder in offices of an emerging India “saree day” is celebrated as a special day. Thus, some of these “new” trends as regards saree aka modern day “Lehenga” apt for a Cosmo culture simply reminds one of a by gone era.

Fashion! Now & Then-

Thus, from the above, it is evident that the influence of western culture on fashion specially concerning the youth, can be seen in today’s outfits which is trying to find a balance between the original & traditional types, which again proves the mixing of the old & the new. So, what was once worn as part of daily life and was common clothing seems to have now become somewhat of a social get together clothing. Moreover, the earliest signs of the coming together of western fashion & Indian dressing was witnessed when Government of India opened the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) in Delhi with the help of the Fashion Institute of Technology, New York

This was a paradigm shift for the Indian fashion industry since now there was a formal recognition of the new forms of traditional styles influenced by western culture that has in effect generated a lot many new fashion ideas & concepts & other interesting fashionable accessories for women.

Therefore, New ways of draping the Saree came about to be known & now a day pairing it up with a fusion wear such as dhoti pants have been the new trend which in now being promoted by fashion houses among the uber crowd. What was once plain Salwar suits has now become Anarkali salwar kameez suits worn by many young women which make them look elegant and allows them to opt for vivid colours and bohemian designs.

Well, it’s all coming back, fashion is throwing back the ‘retro charm pendants’ from the ’90s, ‘baggy pants’ from the ’70s and even ‘long flashy sleeves’ that can be traced back to the 18th century. With so much happening we simply seem to be spoilt for choice, because change is good & everyone wants to move over from the old & to the new.

Thus, Crop tops, shoulder pads and even fanny packs are seeing a comeback. Also, a brisk suit with intact shoulders was a huge-trend among women in business in the ’80s & has now become a corporate wear for many working women. And again, Yoga pants, leggings and tight crop tops have now become a common trend, I suppose the credit goes to their sportive appeal.

Thus, the new idea of tradition is not to succumb to yesteryear philosophies which got handed down from one generation to the other. Rather the new idea of ethnic style is to befriend the philosophies of a bygone era & use them in relation to the contemporary sense and mood of today’s fashion.

Finally, once can safely conclude that “Changing Fashion is a law of change itself.”