Costumes of Andhra Pradesh are Saree and Blouse for women, and Dhoti and Kurta for men. The women of all communities together with Muslims wear Sarees and blouses. The skill of draping the saree is in itself an expression of a woman`s creativity. Some Muslim women also put on Salwar Kameez Dupatta. Among the Hindus and Christians men usually wear a Dhoti and Kurta. The Muslims in general wear pyjamas instead of dhotis and kurta and the Fez cap, which though is not so common now. Andhra Pradesh is the insignia of the cultural convergence of South India. This fourth largest state of India, displays the wide spectrum of varied population, residing in this land, with their diverse cultural heritage. The half-nomadic tribes, hailing from Lambadi or Banjara or Sugalis, are an agricultural sector of the social fabric of Andhra Pradesh. They earn their livelihood through harvesting, sowing, reaping and so on. It is evident that the costumes they would cater to would represent their life-pattern, class, and likings, in addition to their use of dresses that suit their climatic and geographical conditions, and social context.

Women`s wear in Andhra Pradesh
Sarees of the original handlooms of Andhra Pradesh are complete with ethnicity and richness of texture. Dharmavaram in Andhra Pradesh has world wide repute for the production and distribution of gorgeous silk sarees. These Dharmavaram sarees make for ornate costumes, appropriate for bridal wear, ceremonies, like wedding party, or festivals. The hallmark of these splendid sarees is that their borders are generally brocaded with gold plating. The Gadwal sarees, manufactured in Gadwal of Andhra Pradesh, are one of the most exclusive linen, available in the world. What is unique is the saree`s cotton body, with pure silk borders and pallu (the tail-end of the saree).

The Ikkat saree was first woven in the Nalgonda district of Andhra Pradesh. Now its chief production-sites are Puttapaka, Pochampalli and Chautuppal villages of Andhra Pradesh. A proper know-how is indispensable in their creation. It requires a weaving -pattern, wherein the yarn is arbitrarily dyed in zigzag or geometric structures. The last category of sarees and not the least is the Mangalgiri saree, prepared from fine cotton, in Mangalgiri. All these sarees are the most happening costumes of Andhra Pradesh, not only, but in India and other parts of the globe also.

The Kalamkari fabric contains the paintings of mythological figures and events with vegetable colours. Kalamkari sarees, kurti (tops), salwar-kameez, have become the order of the day and have become the popular costumes of Andhra Pradesh. This particular art form is prevalent in Machilipatnam of Andhra Pradesh. Urbanity in its refined form rules in the epicenter of sophistication, Hyderabad. Here it is normal to come across burqha-clad, veiled Muslim woman, working at the same company with today`s cosmopolitan girls, attired in salwar-kameez and jeans-shirts. The crowning glory of the costumes of Andhra Pradesh is the awesome Hyderabad`s pearls. The enthusiastic Nizams of Hyderabad inaugurated pearl trade. The pearl small-industries, craftsmen and jewelers are situated near the well-known Charminar. The cost of pearls varies according to radiance, shape and size.

Tribal Costumes of Andhra Pradesh
Lambadies are a familiar tribal group in Andhra Pradesh and are well-known for their colourful costumes. The Lambada men have taken on the regional dress but the women folk have to this day preserved their gorgeous colourful and heavy garments, with lot of mirrors and beads studded on them. They dress in wide skirts in many gay and loud shades of red, orange and blue. The magnificent finesse of the costumes of Andhra Pradesh definitely highlights the deft craftsmanship of the different handlooms and textile-industries. Furthermore, pearls have always been a woman`s pride. Therefore, the costumes of Andhra Pradesh cast such an enigmatic spell, that not only the denizens of the state, are spellbound with their aura, but also the tourists who flock there, to appease their appetite for exotic garments and pearl-jewellery.