Chandigarh, populated with Hindus, including the Punjabis, Sikhs, Muslims and Christians, certainly projects a potpourri of culture; respecting traditional norms but welcoming innovations as well. This amalgamation of tradition with modern newness is reflected in the costume-types of Chandigarh in India.
Men's wear in Chandigarh The urban ambience of Chandigarh requires men to go for formal office costumes. The long-sleeved shirt, with tie, coat and formal trousers make up a total office-suit for men, is very much in vogue. At times formal trousers are topped off by sober T-shirts, which contribute to the dignified appearance of Multi-national executives, servicemen, businessmen, during office-work, conferences, meetings and important deals. In the winter months, men assume a stylish look with handsome jackets, or woollen garments, which wards off the biting cold of North India as well. As casuals, jeans and other branded or quality cotton fabric, rule the list of men's favourite costumes. The traditional bridegroom's costume of Chandigarh is the resplendent and sophisticated Sherwani, an attire suiting the inherent attribute of manliness. Sherwanis, invested with Western-eastern fusion, has the best outlook, and is in keeping with the contemporary air and traditional choices. A Sherwani is a body-fitting, long coat-like garment, with ornate buttons, installed in the front side, which is buttoned up, while wearing. A Sherwani has a Nehru collar (collars worn by the first Indian Prime Minister, Jahawarlal Nehru, the trendsetter). This coat-like knee-length upper garment is perfectly matched with body-hugging Churidar-trousers. The tall and sturdy Chandigarh grooms look regal in Sherwanis. Sherwanis usually, come in light shades like, off-white, or beige. 
The grooms Sherwanis are decorated with mind-blowing Zardozi (a kind of gorgeous Persian embroidery, decked with stones, gold and silver thread and present with copper wire, with gold sheen, or gold coloured thread) and embroidery designs. They can be fashioned in different forms, for example the Peshawri or the Baloochi. Indian embellished shoes, for instance, Nagra, Khussa, Mojri in general, gives a finishing touch to this elegant groom costume, Sherwani.
Women's Wear in Chandigarh Urbanized women of Chandigarh have laid their hands on both Indian and Western outfit. Their costume ranges from salwar-kameez, sari, kurtis, jeans, shirts, T-shirts, formal trousers, chic capries, to be very precise all the popular variety. The casual versions of these entire can serve as workplace costume, and costume for daily wear and tear. Salwar-kameez, which glorifies the innate beauty of the Indian woman, is the forever priority for the Chandigarh women. The plethora of diversity in salwar-kameez involves, suit with mirror and Kundan embroidery, Persian embroidery, Aari and Resham work , Cut-work salwar-kameez, golden filigree salwars-suits, vegetable dye kurta churidar, Phirozi salwars, handloom jacquard salwar suit, camric cotton salwar suit, chikan suit (cotton fabric with self-design) . Sleeves of kameez can be of short, bell and umbrella shaped. The textile-manufacturers of salwar-Kameez play with different hues, starting from the bright shades like red, maroon, mustard, yellow, green , navy blue, black to the pastel and light colours, like baby pink, pink, sky-blue, saffron, peach, creme, beige, white and so on. The traditional bridal costume for the beautiful maidens of Chandigarh is the marvelous Lehenga-choli-dupatta. 
Traditional wedding Lehenga-choli or Ghagra lehenga choli and designer wedding Lehengas created out of a splendid synthesis of traditional costume-pattern and modern designs, cut, mix and shot colour shades , etc., happen to be the bridal love. A today's Lehenga can be a mantle of vibrant marron, finely toned with beige contrast, and golden Zardozi, harmonised with butawork. The colours may vary from maroon, red, to the sunet yellow, to the pink, blues and pesta. The beautiful, long -flowing get-up of Lehengas, with a flare towards the bottom, make the bride appear like a pretty princess.
The dazzling Dupatta, the decorated and matching piece of cloth, either covers the upper front portion of the bride, as it passes round her neck, to the back of the head or is suspended from the back of her head, being pinned into her braided hair. The brilliance of accessories is a must for bridal costume. Kundan and gold jewellery wonder, studded with ruby,emeralds, turquoise, coral , entails elaborate necklaces, chokers, malas (necklaces as garlands), haars or kanthas (a kind of necklace); bajubandhs (armbands) for brides, payals (anklets) and mangtikas (headdress-ornament) and finally the Zaridar, thread-embroidered sandals furnish the bride with an awesome splendour. Nowadays, the semi-precious jewellery, of breathtaking beauty, is simultaneously present with gold ornaments, in the bridal costume, of some brides. They augment the shimmer on the whole. It is evident that the costumes of Chandigarh bear the signature of tradition and modern designs at the same time, to arrive at the best. |
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