Delhi, the microcosmic India, and the national capital of the country, treasures a rich cultural heritage of awesome diversity and secular democracy that the country stands for. the air of Delhi is abuzz with the mantra of variety and ethnicity, founded on the truth of intermingling of cultures, tastes and preferences .

The cosmopolitan Delhi denizens has reflected this tradition of an all-accommodative mindset , in the choice and setting of the costume-trends. A living example is the popular female costume of Delhi, Salwar- Kameez, referring to a dress of baggy trousers, narrowed down towards the bottom, topped off by a long shirt or tunic like dress, and a cloth -piece called dupatta, covering the front upper portion. This costume of salwar-Kameez, immensely popular among girls, is not inherent to India. The pattern of this Turko-Persian, or Turko-Mongol costume, was imported into the Indian horizon, with the advent of the Turko-Iranian dynasty of the Delhi Sultunate.

Now-a-days, the Delhi women flaunt themselves in multifarious designs of salwar-kameez. Salwar-suits with sequin-embroidery or semi-precious stones` embroidery. , mirror-work, ariwork, cut-work, or simple but elegant cut, prints, handpaints, all dazzling on excellent fabric is the chara teristic of salwar-kameez in Delhi these days.

A very significant attribute of today`s costumes of Delhi is that, modern innovations have started impressing their signatures on the traditional element of the costumes of Delhi. For instance, sari is the traditional Indian costume for women. But a modern-day Delhi sari , can very much be invested with design, shades and get-up. The same applies for Ghagra-choli and salwar-kameez. Ghagra is an oriental ankle-length skirt , and choli is the upper blouse. Both the parts of the garment are frequently carrying intricate designs. The discrete charm of today`s Ghagra-Choli of Delhi is the modern designs, colours,and cut of a traditional attire. Infact this conjunction of the old and the new is the hallmark of the costumes of Delhi. India`s ultimate fashion statement is now the polycultural Sabyasachi Mukherji, Satya Paul, Neeta Lula , Manish Malhotra or the Queen of the Fashion World, Ritu Kumar.

These dress-designers are weaving magic with their embroidery splendor, including Zardozi, a Persian form of embroidery, done with gold or silver thread, and introduced by the Muslim rule in India. Exclusive silk materials, tissue cloth, crepe, georgette, shiffon, and other types of fabric, possessing a rich texture work as the perfect base for shimmering Zardozi. Zardozi can be on sari, or salwar-kameez, ghagra-choli, or Kurta-pajamas, and sherwanis, worn by men, and even on skirts and blouses, to obtain a gorgeous appearance. To be very precise, Zardozi costumes rule as the bride`s or the groom`s choice ,for their grandeur, and magnificence.

Women of Delhi are well-aware of fashion-updates . Along with the ethnic costume of sari, or salwar-kameez or churidar-kameez(churidar is a body-hugging trouser), Western jeans tops, shirts, T-shirts, skirts, varying in sizes and shapes, blouses, and so on,crowd a fashionable and modern-day woman`s wardrobe. These costumes are not only wear-friendly in the course of daily busy schedule of modern-life, but also enriches a woman wit the aura of style and smartness.

Resplendent semi-precious jewelry, crafted by the deft craftsmen of the neighboring Jaipur and Rajasthan, including fascinating Kundanwork, at present compete with the original gold , silver , diamond or authentic gem-studded ornaments. They are increasingly becoming a woman`s passion in Delhi.

When it comes to making themselves presentable in proper costume, the men of Delhi are not lagging behind. The senior and the venerated generation cater to the ethnic costume of India, namely, Dhoti-Kurta , Sherwani-salwar, Kurta-Salwar , Sherwani-salwar , kurta-pajama. They are not only keen to preserve the culture they belong to , but also assert the Indian ness of their identity, as well as their values, which get well-communicated through this costume-type. Jawaharlal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of India, exhibited himself in Sherwani with Nehru collars (collar-style, popularised by him) and Neheru cap. His costume was helpful in emphasizing his role as the national leader to the country.

The young generation , however, usually dress themselves in formal shirts, trousers, jeans, T-shirts and the other modern-day chic male garment , happening to be the daily costume, even workplace dress for men . However, on ceremonial occasions, men try out ornate Sherwani-churidars, Dhoti-Kurtas, or Kurta-Pajamas, frequently turning out to be a designers or a boutique`s collection.

Men sometimes embellish themselves in ornaments like bangles, wristbands, to augment their manliness , along with stylish wrist-watches. Traditional shoes, like, Nagra shoes, is usually worn with Sherwanis, to effect a majestic outlook, on special occasions. The expanding range and plethora of patterns , related to the costumes of Delhi, have made Delhi a dream-destination of the costume-lovers, allured by the availibility of the recent in-things as well dignified traditional dress there.