Coming to India for the first time, I wasn't too sure how it was received for Westerners to wear Indian clothing. At first a little nervous and anxious not to 'culturally appropriate', I quickly realised that it was seen as a compliment to dress in local habits. Sarees, Kurtis, tunics and tassels, jewellery and bangles, these are the pride of Indian fashion and heritage, and I was surprised to find out that foreigners are encouraged to don traditional wear, to participate in this richest and most beautiful of aesthetic cultures. On several occasions, local women I met gifted me with clothes and items, such as a colourful saree and an exquisite assortment of bindis( red dots worn on the forehead).
I absolutely fell in love with Indian fashion, and repeatedly told locals I thought they had the best style in the world. Textures, colours, patterns, from the humble bindi to expressive block prints, vivid dyes and detailed embroidery and silver rings of every kind and gems to suit every taste. Tribal to royal, simple to complex, getting dressed in Hindustan is a truly tantalising affair. I would spend hours drooling at all the merchant's stands in cloth markets.
I was overjoyed to be welcomed with open arms into this ancient yet constantly evolving universe of sarees, silver, sandals and much, much more…
Below: my favourite new kurti, purchased in Kolkata's New Market. It helpfully bled out bright blue dye all over my shower as I tried to wash it by hand...
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