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The fashion of Indian royal families has long been a symbol of grandeur, opulence, and intricate craftsmanship, often showcasing a blend of traditional heritage with luxurious styles. Here’s a breakdown of key elements of royal Indian fashion:

1. Traditional Attire for Men

  • Sherwani: A formal, long coat-like garment, often embroidered and made of rich fabrics like velvet, brocade, or silk. It is worn for weddings and royal occasions.

  • Achkan: A similar outfit to the sherwani but lighter and less formal. It’s often paired with a churidar or a dhoti.

  • Dhotis and Kurtas: Worn for more casual royal attire, the dhoti is a traditional garment that wraps around the waist, often paired with a kurta or angarkha (a tunic).

  • Turban: A key part of royal men’s attire, symbolizing power, dignity, and status. The turbans are often adorned with jewels, feathers, or embroidered fabrics.

  • Jewelry: Royals often wear large, statement pieces like necklaces, rings, and brooches, made from precious stones like diamonds, emeralds, and pearls.

2. Traditional Attire for Women

  • Sarees: Worn by Indian royal women, sarees made from luxurious fabrics like silk, chiffon, and georgette are often heavily embroidered with gold or silver thread. Royal sarees might feature traditional motifs or use antique techniques like zari work or kashida.

  • Lehengas: A lehenga choli set is a popular royal choice for formal events. The lehenga (skirt) is often heavy with intricate embellishments, while the choli (blouse) is fitted and may have beautiful embroidery or gem detailing.

  • Anarkali Suits: These long, flowing dresses, often paired with churidar trousers, are heavily adorned with embroidery and embellishments, inspired by Mughal royalty.

  • Jewelry: Royal women often wear elaborate jewelry pieces like maang tikka (headpiece), jhumkas (earrings), chokers, and naths (nose rings), all made with precious metals and gemstones.

3. Fabric and Embellishments

  • Silk: The fabric of choice for royals, as it was luxurious and often symbolized wealth. Kanchipuram silk sarees are famous among Indian royalty.

  • Brocade and Zari: These woven fabrics, often with gold or silver thread, are used in royal clothing to create rich, textured patterns.

  • Bandhej and Leheriya: These are traditional tie-dye techniques used in royal sarees and turbans.

  • Pashmina: Fine wool from the Himalayan region, used to make shawls that were part of the royal wardrobe.

4. Royal Accessories

  • Jewelled Belts: Worn with sarees or lehengas, these were often intricate, designed with gold and precious stones, acting as both fashion and status symbols.

  • Footwear: Royals often wore handmade, embellished footwear like juttis or mojris, often adorned with gold or silver threads and intricate embroidery.

  • Royal Cloaks and Shawls: Often draped over attire, these garments were made from luxurious fabrics like velvet or silk, sometimes adorned with embroidery or fur.

5. Regional Variations

  • Mughal Influence: The Mughal empire greatly influenced royal attire, especially with their love for elaborate and intricate designs, heavy jewelry, and use of fine fabrics.

  • Rajput Influence: In Rajasthan, royal women wore lehengas with heavy silver and gold embroidery. Rajput men often donned distinctive turbans and bandis (short jackets).

  • South Indian Royals: Kings and queens from Southern India wore intricate, gold-heavy jewelry and Kanchipuram silks with grand motifs. Women would also wear elaborate saris and adorn themselves with temple jewelry.

  • Maratha Royals: Known for their bold, warrior-like fashion, they wore simple yet regal attire. Men wore intricately designed turbans, while women wore richly embroidered sarees with heavy jewelry.

The fashion choices of Indian royalty were not just about clothing but were a representation of their culture, wealth, and power. These styles continue to influence contemporary fashion, especially in weddings, and are revered for their artistry and craftsmanship.