Men

Trousers and Shirts are the most common in cities throughout the country. Kurtas or shirts are common too. However they are worn in different combinations in different regions.

In Northern, Eastern and Central India Dhoti- Kurta, Kurta -Pajama and Kurta – Chooridar are popular. In Kashmir, to protect them from cold a long woolen kurta called Phiran is worn.

In the Southern part of India Lungi – Kurta or Lungi – Shirt is commonly worn. It is also known as Veshti or Mundu.

A dhoti / pajama is worn as lower garment and angharka as upper garment in Rajasthan. Similarly in Gujarat a short frilled white angharka is worn on top of white pajamas or dhotis and sometimes a jacket too is worn over the angharka.

One would also see in several regions of India, men wearing Turbans or Caps to cover their heads. Of course the type and styling of tying the turbans differ from region to region.

Women

The clothes of women in India wear are very colorful thereby adding their beauty.

Sari is the most common – however the way it is draped differs state to state .One can identify the woman to the state she belongs to from the way the sari is draped or tied. The weave & the cloth design too various from one region to another. Few of the traditional clothes worn in different states of India are:

Kashmir – Salwar Phirar

Haryana – Ghapra Kurta

Gujarat – Lehenga Choli

Rajasthan – Ghaghra Katchli

Kerala – Mundu Blouse

Assam – Mekhla Chadar

India too is feeling the effects of outside influences, yet its distinctive costume traditions have and are being appreciated world-wide. Still styles of ancient years continue to influence Indian fashion till date.

Climate – extremely cold.

Mount Everest, the highest peak in the world, is a part of the Himalayan Range. It is covered with snow throughout the year.

Climate – Very hot in summer & cold in winter.

The Northern Plains (flat lands) also called as the Gangetic Plain is towards the south of the Himalaya. The lands here are very fertile- most suited for cultivation, since many rivers like the famous Ganga and Yamuna flow through these plains.

Climate – Dry and hot in summer and cold in winter.

As one travels to the north western part of India there is a total change in the landscape. One can only see miles and miles of sand. This is called the Great Indian Desert or the Thar Desert.

Climate – Moderate – neither too hot not too cold.

The southern part of India is the Peninsula. To the east is the Bay of Bengal, Arabian sea is to the west and to its south is the Indian Ocean. The land in this part of India has a flat and uneven surface.

The Andaman and Nicobar Islands and the Lakshadweep Island too are part of India.

India has 28 states and 6 Union territories. Delhi is a Union Territory and is the National Capital.

Nail Care

Nail care is a cosmetic field. Manicure and Pedicure is a part of nail care process. Nails are first shaped, then clipped by nail clippers and then filed for a smooth finish before being painted. A person specializing in general and specific nail care techniques is called a Nailist.

Nail Art

The term Nail Art is specifically applied to the field of designing and creating artificial nails. It is a very specialized cosmetic field. Some of the different nail ideas popular all over the world are nail lacquering, nail painting, nail decoration and nail piercing. This form of nail art is here to stay. Nail art specialists are working with various mediums like dried flowers, beads and fabrics to enhance the beauty of nails. The latest trend is of bold colors like gold, silver, blue, red, green and black as against softer shades preferred earlier. Nail art is gaining popularity through the platform of nail art galleries from all over the world.
As a profession, the French are most accomplished in nail art. They are known for their fetish for nail art. A French manicure is like any other manicure in the beginning. The French touch is given in the end when the nail is colored with a base color and only the tips are painted white. In a French manicure, nails are given a squarish look as against the conventional round look. The entire coat is ultimately covered with polish to give them a distinct French design flavor.

Acrylic Nail Art

Acrylic nail art is a craze with modern Indian women. In India too, these days the ratio of working women is increasing and to look good all the time has become very important for them.
Acrylic nails have become very popular because of their vast and vibrant color palette and wonderful designer patterns. Customised designs to suit the taste of individual clients are worked upon by Nail Art Designers. Celebrities and Page 3 women are now patronizing particular nail designs to make individual design statements. Technically acrylic nails are made with a polymer. Acrylic paint is thick, durable and hard thereby making it easy for individuals to wear artificial acrylic nails for all occasions.

Bengali dhoti,which is handloom woven, is about 11 yards. A knot is tied at the front part at the center. The left side is taken through the legs, pleated & tucked at the back side of the waist. These are called Malkoncha or Kochar. The surplus portion that comes from the right,is pleated & formed of . These pleats are called Koncha. This is generally kept dangling in front as it is not the custom to draw up the lower end of the pleat. For convenience men shorten the length of the pleat by holding it in the hand, pushing it into the hand or by pushing it into the kurta pocket. A collarless & cuffless kurta is worn over the gangi (vest). During the winter a chaddar is used to swathe the upper part of the body.

Female Costume

No pleats are formed in women saris, so they wear saris very differntly. The length of the bengali sari is 5 yards. A knot is tied at the end of the sari and brought to the front, from the right side. Sari is then taken thrice around the front waist. over the left side of the shoulder & over the head. The pallu is then taken from the head under the right arm & over the right shoulder & thrown back with the keys dangling down the end of the pallu in a knot. Bengali saris are provided with beautiful borders which is called PARH in Bengal.In urban areas women wear blouses, though in villages, blouses are uncommon & rural women drape the upper part so artfully that need for blouse does not arise.