HISTORICAL TAILORED GARMENTS (Western culture)

1. SUIT
A suit is a set of garments (trouser and jacket) stitched from the same cloth. They have been a part of the western culture (American, European and British) for decades. Suits can be two-piece and three-piece, or single-breasted and double-breasted, which determines the social and work suitability of the garment. In earlier times, suits were custom made to the measurements, style, and taste of the customer. But, since the Industrial Revolution, most suits are mass-produced and sold as ready-to-wear garments (though alterations by a tailor can be done if required). There are many current designers who specialize in suits, such as Giorgio Armani and Ermenegildo Zegna.


2. JEANS
Jeans are pants or trousers made from denim. Jeans were originally designed for factory workers during WW II. In the 1950s jeans became popular among teenagers and a symbol of youth rebellion. During the 1960s the wearing of blue jeans became more acceptable, and by the 1970s they had become a very popular form of casual dress in the United States.
Jeans are currently very popular, and are worn by men, women and children. They have crossed international borders and have become a part of the culture of other countries as well.




3. CLASSIC WHITE SHIRT
A shirt is a garment for the upper body. It has a collar, long sleeves with cuffs and a front vertical opening with buttons. The shirt was an item of men's underwear until the twentieth century, worn under regular clothes. American women began wearing shirts only in 1861.
A classic white shirt can be worn by men and women, both as a part of formal clothing (under suits, with pants/trousers and jackets), as well as casual clothing (with jeans, casual trousers and skirts for women). There are many variations of the white shirt created by designers. One such designer (for women) is Anne Fontaine who specializes in designing white shirts.

HISTORICAL DRAPED GARMENTS (Indian culture)

1. Sari
A sari is a garment worn by women in India. It is an unstitched length of fabric which is nine meters long, worn over a petticoat and with a blouse called “choli”. A sari can be worn, formally and casually, in various styles by draping it around the body. It has been a part of the Indian culture for centuries, and till today, it is still a very popular garment in India.




2. DHOTI
A dhoti is a rectangular piece of unstitched cloth, usually 7 yards long. It is worn by wrapping it around the waist and the legs, and knotting it at the waist. It is a traditional dress worn by Indian men, usually with a “kurta” (tunic) on top.
The dhoti was popularized beyond Indian borders by Mahatma Gandhi, a prominent Indian figure. It is still worn by people living in villages, as well as in the metropolitans as a dress for religious and traditional family functions.

Even today, there are garments created by designers, which are inspired by the dhoti.



3. CHUNNI
A Chunni or Dupatta is a long scarf worn by women in India. Chunnis can be worn in various ways, the most common is to wear it across both shoulders with the indian salwar kameez (trouser suit). It is also used to cover the head and is thus considered a symbol of respect and modesty. Even in current times, the dupatta is very commonly worn in India. A recent trend is the short dupatta often seen with kurtas and Indo-Western clothing.