Indians living abroad always carry a bit of home with them, and that includes the clothes they grew up wearing. But dressing up in ethnic wear is not always easy in a new country, as office wear is mostly Western and the weather is very different. This is where modern Indian dresses come in handy. Be it a simple saree or partywear sarees, a salwar suit or a designer lehenga for women, or a kurta pajama and a sherwani for men, Indian dresses today are lighter, easier to pack, and more practical as compared to before. A small collection of Indian ethnic wear can see you through Diwali parties, Navratri nights, temple visits, and family weddings.
So, let’s look at the Indian ethnic wear that works best abroad and how to style it.
Indian Dresses for Women That Suit Life Abroad
A Saree for Women Is Still the First Choice
A saree is the one outfit most Indian women reach for at a wedding, a puja, or a festive dinner. The only problem is that draping it takes practice and time. This is where a pre-stitched saree makes life much easier for working women. The pleats are already stitched, so it takes just a few minutes to wear. Here’s how to pick the right saree for the occasion:
- Daytime Functions: Cotton, georgette, and chiffon sarees are light and breathable, so they are a good pick for pujas and lunches.
- Evening Parties: Partywear sarees with sequins, satin, or organza have a lot of shine but very little weight.
A Salwar Suit for Women for Everyday Wear
For women who want to wear Indian ethnic clothes more often, a salwar suit is the easiest place to start. A straight cotton suit is comfortable for an office lunch or a weekend visit to relatives, while an Anarkali looks lovely for festive evenings and temple visits. You don’t always need the full set either; the kurta can be teamed with slim jeans for a Sunday brunch. Salwar suits are also some of the easiest Indian dresses to fold and pack for a trip.
A Designer Lehenga for Weddings and Sangeets
Indian weddings abroad are usually as grand as the ones back home, and for most women, a designer lehenga is still the go-to outfit. A light designer lehenga in organza or georgette is a smart buy, as it works for a sangeet, a garba night, or an engagement party. Later, the pieces can be styled separately too:
- The lehenga skirt can be worn with a crisp white shirt.
- The blouse can be paired with a plain silk saree or one of your partywear sarees.
Indian Dresses for Men for Festivals and Weddings
A Kurta Pajama for Men Works for Almost Every Festival
A kurta pajama is the one outfit that most men can wear for just about every festival in the year. Cotton and linen kurtas are best for summer events, whereas silk blend kurtas look more festive for Diwali evenings. Here’s how you can style it:
- Layer a Nehru jacket over the kurta pajama for a sharper look.
- Team the kurta with dark chinos and loafers for casual community events.
A Sherwani for Men for the Big Day
If you are the groom or a part of the wedding party, a sherwani is still the classic choice for men. Silk and brocade sherwanis with zari or thread embroidery look very good in wedding photos. Many men who find a sherwani too heavy simply switch to a bandhgala suit for the reception.
Pick Indian Dresses That Suit the Weather Where You Live
A fabric that feels right in Mumbai may not work in a Canadian winter or an Australian summer. So, it is a good idea to choose your Indian dresses keeping the local weather in mind.
- In Winters: Velvet, brocade and raw silk are warmer fabrics. You can also swap the dupatta for a pashmina shawl and carry a long coat.
- In Summers: Cotton, chanderi, georgette and chiffon are breathable and work well for outdoor pujas and summer weddings.
- Footwear: Embroidered juttis are fine for indoor events, but on a cold evening, ankle boots go well with a kurta set.
Get the Fit Right Before You Order
Getting the fit right is a lot harder when your tailor is back in India. So, measure yourself first and check the details on the product page. Ready-made suits and pre-stitched sarees usually come with a size chart, and so do kurta pajamas or a sherwani for men. If you are ordering a semi-stitched suit or a designer lehenga, check the bust or waist range it can fit. Mirraw also offers standard and custom stitching for blouses, salwar suits, and lehengas shipped outside India.
Living abroad doesn’t mean saving your culture for one trip a year. With a few good Indian dresses, like a salwar suit for women or a kurta pajama for men, you can dress up for almost every festival, wedding, and family function without any hassle.
