| Traditional | Modern Fusion | |-------------|----------------| | Saree (over 100 draping styles) | Jeans + kurti | | Salwar kameez | Saree with a belt or crop top | | Lehenga (weddings/festivals) | Blazer over saree for work | | Mekhela chador (Assam) | Leggings with long tunics |
Clothing remains a powerful cultural marker. The sari (draped differently by region), salwar kameez , and lehenga dominate. However, urban women increasingly adopt Western wear (jeans, tops) for work and leisure, while wearing traditional attire for festivals and weddings. The sindoor (vermilion), mangalsutra (necklace), and bangles continue to signify marital status, though their use is declining among secular and younger cohorts. and lehenga dominate. However