15 Popular Indian Traditional Clothing For Men

By Author: Vikram Sharma
Total Articles: 108
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India is the only country in the world where one side of the country has no idea what the other side is wearing. The country's cultural diversity is reflected in fashion and clothing as well. If we begin to list all of the clothing in the country, we will die before we finish. Here are the most popular traditional Indian men's clothes.

Achkan

Achkan is a long, unbuttoned coat with long sleeves worn over cotton vests, a high neck, and a band collar. It is worn by Indian men for ceremonial purposes such as weddings.

Angavastram/dupatta

This is a long piece of fabric that is folded and worn over the shoulder. It can be folded or draped neatly.

Bandhgala

Bandhgala is a formal jacket worn by Indian men as evening wear. It has a collar with a standing band. Bandhgalas can be worn with or without sleeves over a long-sleeved shirt.

It is also known as the Nehru Jacket, after former Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, who wore it frequently. Sadri Coat is another name for Sadri.

Barabandi/Chaunbandi

A short double-breasted ...
... jacket with long sleeves that fastens on the left side. It is fitted up to the waist but flares from there. Another name for a short jacket with short sleeves and no flare is Barabandi.

Choga

This is a long, loose-fitting robe-style tunic with ties in the centre front opening.

Dhothi

The Dhothi is a large loincloth that is worn with the underside brought forward from the left side and tucked in tightly at the front waistline at the navel. It has the option of being pleated in the front. Different ways of wearing the dhothi can be seen throughout the country.

Jama

A long coat worn at weddings and other formal occasions. The upper lapel is fastened with ties over the left side and is also known as Angrakha (Angarkha). It can have a close fit on the upper bodice and a lot of flare at the hem.

Jodhpur

A Jodhpur is a type of pants that resembles riding breeches in appearance; they are very loose until the knees and then tight fitting from the knee to the ankle.

Jodhpuri suit

It is an outfit consisting of a Bandhgala coat with long sleeves and fitted trousers or jodhpur pants. In India, this is one of the most popular looks for bridegrooms. It is the closest Indian clothing can get to Western clothing.

Kurta

Kurta is a tunic shirt with long sleeves and a buttoned placket that is knee length. For formal occasions, it is worn as a casual garment on its own or with sleeveless jackets.

Lungi

Lungi is a rectangular piece of fabric worn around the body like a sarong and tied at the waist. When let down, a printed lungi reaches the floor or up to the ankle, but it can also be worn folded doubled up from the knee.

Pajama

Pajamas are classified into two types: baggy pyjamas known as Salwars and tighter pyjamas known as Churidhars. The salwar is baggy and has a lot of gathers. Churidhar is a close-fitting pant that is a little loose above the knees and a little tight below the knees.

Pheran

This is a knee-length loose garment made of woollen material that is worn over regular clothing like a coat. Pheran's sleeves are long, wide, and loose. A long woollen rope is usually used to tie it around the waist.

Pagri

This is a ready-made turban, or headdress. It is a fabric piece that is twisted or folded around the head and is typically worn by bridegrooms. Also known as Pagg. When the turban is newly formed, it is referred to as a Pheto.

Sherwani

A sherwani is a popular formal Indian wear for men to wear to weddings and other formal occasions. It's a knee-length jacket with a band collar and a centre front opening with a slit at the bottom edge. It is worn over a Kurta or shirt, with fitted pants or jodhpur pants worn underneath the Sherwani.