Dhoti

Dhotis - Majestic and Versatile Bottom Wear for Men

It has always been known that men’s fashion has many amazing options for topwear and bottoms to pair with them. While pyjamas and churidar pants are rather popular, primarily due to their straight and sleek look, there is another kind of bottom wear that is known to provide coziness for long hours i.e. dhoti. It is an unstitched cloth that is folded and tucked to form a baggy, knee-length trouser’s silhouette.

While the previous generation wore dhotis in the former manner, in today’s time this system has been tweaked. Given the fast-paced life, the makers have started providing dhoti that has the design and pleats of the traditional garment and can be worn like pants and therefore rightly known as dhoti pants. Mirraw has a stylish collection of mens dhotis and dhoti pants in many fabrics and patterns that you can choose from for various occasions. Here, we will highlight various aspects of dhoti and dhoti pants so that you can ultimately choose the right ones.

Fabrics Options for Dhotis

Cotton Dhoti: These dhotis for men are soft, breathable and perfect for tropical weather. But as they are slightly transparent, they are worn as a double layer. Cotton dhotis are ideal for small gatherings or auspicious occasions and they pair beautifully with a crisp cotton shirt. You can also look more stylish if you match the color of your shirt with the colored border of the dhoti, if the dhoti has one. Sandals in neutral colors such as tan or black can work well with the overall look.

Georgette Dhoti: A lightweight and sheer fabric, Georgette is known for its flowy and slightly crinkled texture. Georgette dhotis are stylish, comfortable and drape beautifully, adding a graceful look to the outfit. These dhotis are great for festive occasions, parties, and even casual family meet-ups, offering a modern twist to the traditional garment. Brogues and an analogue watch can complete the look.

Silk Dhoti: Heavily adored by Indians due to its smooth, lustrous and opulent look, silk mens dhotis can be either made of pure silk or silk blends. One of the examples is Kasavu Mundu which can be made of silk or has a silk golden border. Another example includes colorful dhotis that have a remarkable kanjeevaram border that can be either solid colored or can have intricate ethnic motifs. Indian dhoti mad eof silk can be worn at festivals and traditional ceremonies. To look utterly traditional and fashionable, you can pair a kurta, a Nehru jacket and embroidered slip-on shoes with your silk dhoti.

Satin Dhoti: Similar to silk but more affordable comparatively, satin dhotis offer a shiny and elegant look. It is versatile enough to be worn at festive occasions with your loved ones as well as with your colleagues. Colors such as dark red, purple, emerald and turquoise are great as they enhance the silk’s beauty. Silk dhotis for men elevate any outfit when paired with a smart shirt or a well-tailored kurta with intricate embroidery. A bright pocket square and embroidered juttis can easily level up your ensemble.

Some Popular Types of Indian Dhotis

North India - Dhoti: In this region, the dhoti cloth is wrapped around the waist and the ends are tied at the waist, forming a loose lower garment. This style is primarily worn in states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh. In some regions, the ends are tucked between the legs.

Tamil Nadu - Veshti: Mostly in colors white or cream, the dhoti is draped around the waist and legs and the pleats feature in front. This dhoti can be worn in a single style with a 2-yard dhoti or double style which can be worn if you have a 4-yard dhoti. The double style involves folding the lower portion, making it shorter. It has a colored border which is typically sported on the waist or the pleat's side. The border color may be bright such as golden, red, green and purple as it is worn on occasions like weddings, festivals, and religious ceremonies.

Kerala - Mundu: Similar to the Veshti but shorter, it usually falls just above the ankles. A popular variety is Kasavu Mundu which has a golden border and is considered more formal. The simple one is worn by men as daily wear, especially in rural areas. The Kasavu Mundu is worn on special occasions like Onam and weddings.

Maharashtra - Dhotar: Typically, white and made of cotton, it is adorned with a thin colored border. The dhotar is draped around the waist and legs. It is usually tied with one end tucked at the waist and the other wrapped around and tucked at the front. A colorful dhotar is worn during special occasions such as festivals, weddings, and traditional ceremonies.

Amazing Top wear To Pair with The Dhoti For Men

We know that churidar pants and pajamas are many men's favourite bottom wear. This is because it is assumed that pairing top wear is easy with them and looks stylish too. With dhotis, you can try various tops depending on the occasion. If you want ethnic looks to attend a wedding or a similar grand function, a bandh gala will surely look fine. But if you are the groom yourself, you can opt for a sherwani in straight or modern cuts as you wish. But if you are attending a reception in the evening a formal shirt in neutral solid color or the one matching the dhoti border can look great. Kurtas look great if you are attending a festive or a religious occasion. Cotton kurta ones are great for family functions and silk or georgette ones are great for more grand occasions.

Easy Steps to Wear A Dhoti

One of the reasons men do not wear a dhoti is because it feels very difficult to wear and carry, but it is not so as the steps to wear an Indian dhoti are simple. While there are various ways to tie a dhoti according to the type, we focus on the basic way. These will help you get a start and make you feel more confident about adorning a dhoti.

• Lay the dhoti down on a dry, flat surface and ensure it is wrinkle-free by ironing it or removing the creases by hand
• Hold the dhoti lengthwise and wrap it around your waist, starting from the back. The length of the dhoti should hang evenly on both sides.
• Adjust the height so it sits comfortably. The ideal height is usually at or just above your ankles.
• Take the one end of the dhoti and bring it to the front
• Tuck it into the waistband at the back to secure it.
• Make sure the fabric feels snug but not too tight.
• Take the remaining fabric, i.e. the other side and bring it around to the front.
• Create pleats by folding the fabric back toward the waistband, and make 3 to 4 evenly spaced pleats
• Tuck these pleats into the waistband at the front for a neat finish.
• In case you have excess fabric, you can tuck it into the waistband or tie it to secure it further.
• Stand up straight and adjust the pleats or length as necessary.

Care Tips for Indian Dhotis

It is understood that things last long when we care for them. The same applies to clothes, especially the ethnic clothes that are made of lush fabrics. So here we have focused on suggestions that ensure that the dhotis you have in your closet remain protected from wear and tear and look good for a great duration of time.

• Wash dhotis in a gentle cycle if using a washing machine.
• In the case of hand washing them carefully, use cold water to prevent shrinking of the fabric and fading of colors.
• To preserve the fabric's quality and color, use a mild detergent to clean the dhoti.
• Hang dhotis to dry in a shaded away as direct sunlight can fade colors.
• Do not wring out the dhoti but instead gently squeeze out to remove excess water.
• Use a low heat setting on your iron to avoid heating and tearing the fabric.
• In case you are ironing a delicate material like silk, place a cloth over the dhoti
• To remove wrinkles without direct contact, use steam.
• Store dhotis by folding them neatly to avoid creases.
• Use breathable cotton bags to prevent the accumulation of moisture, mold or dust.
• Regularly check for any loose threads or small tears and mend them.
• Wear different dhotis to minimize wear and tear on any single piece.
• Consider professional dry cleaning to maintain luster and quality of the fabrics.

Shop Dhotis for Men from Mirraw Online Store

It is pretty understood that dhotis can be a great option for many occasions from casual to festive to workplace. While you must be searching good-quality Indian dhotis online, your search ends at Mirraw. From user-friendly filters to stress-free delivery processes, we ensure that your online shopping experience is delightful. So, explore and shop mens dhotis, topwear and accessories along with them.