Costumes in India play a significant part as these do more than just simply protect or enhance the body- they nourish the soul. Due to the country`s geographical diversity, the Indian costumes vary from state to state. Whilst traditional Indian costumes are prevalently worn by the masses, cross culturalism has also made way to western clothing. A majority of the Indian population today follow the western mores when it comes to dressing. However, during festivities and numerous other occasions, it is the traditional Indian costumes that are preferred by the people.

India and its people provide some of the most striking and colourful sights through their garments. Attire, adornment and decoration play a significant role in both material and spiritual aspects of life. This adoration of the visual experience forms the very matrix of Indian culture, from where arises the splendid diversity of region, faith and community.

Indian attire is as varied as its subcultures. Just as each region has its own language, food and lifestyles; it has its own traditional mode of dressing as well. For example, a half sari worn to college in the southern states is completely different from the dressing norms followed in northern India. Intermingling due to social changes and improvement in communication has managed to give India a pan-Indian look. However, people from all subcultures are slowly adapting to a more homogeneous way of dressing.

Traditional clothes are still worn in traditional ceremonies or in the interior pockets of the country. Traditional costumes in India primarily depend on the climate and natural fibers grown in a region. For instance, in the cold northern state of Jammu and Kashmir, people wear a thick loose shirt called a phiran to keep them warm; whereas in the tropical warmth of south India, men wear a sarong like garment called the mundu, while women drape 5 meters of cloth around their bodies in the graceful folds of the saree, the national dress of Indian women. In the dry regions of Rajasthan and Gujarat men wrap and twist a length of cloth in the form of a dhoti around their lower limbs and a shirt-like kurta above. Colourful turbans are also a significant feature of Rajasthani Men. Women in Rajasthan wear a form of pleated skirt known as the ghagra or lehanga. A length of fine cotton known as orhni or dupatta covers the heads. In the northeastern regions the tribal communities such as Khasis, Mizos, Nagas, Manipuris and Arunachalis wear colorful woven sarong-like clothing and woven shawls that represent the identity of each tribal group. In urban India, women, commonly wear the salwar kameez and the churidar kameez, and the saree is worn on formal occasions. Men wear kurtas and pajamas, or a sherwani for formal wear. Men these days usually wear a trouser along with a shirt. The rich agricultural states of Punjab is famous for the `phulkari (flower-work) shawls that, worn with a tight-fitting choli and gaghra. Phulkari is the traditional costume of rural women of this region.

Saree is the most common costume amongst Indian women. Six yards of cloth, that is all there is to the saree. Yet, this dress worn by millions of Indian women is, by far, the most elegant. It is not merely an outfit but an ornament, lending both grace and glamour to the wearer. The saree epitomises the continuity of an age-old tradition that has withstood the onslaught of many different cultures, to emerge today as a visible symbol of the resiliency, continuity and timelessness of the Indian way of life. Each region displays a different style of draping the saree. This is shaped by the lifestyle and the religious inclination. The urban Indian style is by far the most common. Stiff tangails, flowing silks, elegant chiffons and heavy brocades, all of them can be easily maneuvered into this style. The ladies generally use the dupatta or the pallav (edge) of the saree to cover their heads.

Kurta is a long comfortable garment, worn with Pyjamas, usually accompanied by embroidery. It is an informal dress for Indian men. The men use turbans and caps of various types. The Muslims use a different cap (topi) from those in the northeast and the Sikh turban forms an essential part of his identity and is very different from the ones worn by others on festive occasions. Kurtas, lungis, dhotis and pyjamas constitute the traditional and common costumes of Indian men. A sherwani is generally worn for special occasions. Usually the lungi is worn in many parts of India like south India, but depending on the social practices of the region it may be restricted to indoor-wear.

The Indian tribes also use particular dressing pattern according to their native style. The Santhal women usually drape white saree with red borders. The Meghval women wear puthia; while the Kumhar women dress much like the Gujar women and wear a black and red-checkered saadi of thick woven fabric draped around the waist. The Jogi women wear a chola as her upper garment, which is usually made of red printed fabric, the lower garment is a skirt made of katari chhint. Similarly, there are many more Indian tribes who dress according to their deep rooted tradition.

It is very important to adorn and enhance one`s personality and one can do it with proper clothes and a few accessories to go along with it. Costume accessories and costume jewellery are items that are widely used in India to complement fashion. Accessories help one to highlight a dress or apparel. Many Indian women wear earrings, nose ornaments and brightly colored bangles. Some paint a dot of color or apply a readymade Bindi, on their foreheads. The bindi is also a fashion statement and may be matching to the color of the dress or to the personality.

India is a land, which has a lot of diversities and the same is reflected in their clothing styles. The variety of Indian costumes is simply superb, since the ethnic styles make up a complete Indian woman. Even for men, it is important to attire smart clothing and also maintain a complete graceful personality. Indian costumes are probably the most attractive and diversified in Asian subcontinent that often tell a stranger about the person`s culture, nativity and lineage.