20+ Indian Traditional Dresses For Women (2023)

Robert Hundley

When western fashion was enjoying its moment of glory in India, Indian traditional dresses took a back seat. It was not until recently (right when Sara Ali Khan, Janhvi Kapoor, Kiara Advani and Ananya Pandey made it hip again) that these dresses began to make a comeback.

Many brands and designers have blessed women with many unique options, which is why women are spoilt for choice. Learn about 20+ traditional Indian fashion styles to match every event.

Let us take each one of them because it is time to stock our wardrobes with some of these beautiful ethnic dresses.

Our Top Picks For Beautiful Indian Traditional Dresses

1. Saree

Sarees are the most versatile Indian dresses for women, and they can help you create a free-spirited, Indian-inspired look. With their 9 yards of fabric in various colours, unique designs and exquisite handicrafts, sarees are a must-have in your wardrobe. 

You can experiment with your saree look, whether you want a plain silk saree in rich pastels or a belted saree look. Either way, you will be sure to turn heads. 

2. Salwar Kameez

young woman wearing salwar kameez
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Salwar Kameez is an important part of Indian traditional dress and is typically a three-piece outfit consisting of a top, bottom and dupatta. But, over the years, these have taken on many different forms. 

Salwar suits are being taken to the next level by designers, There is no end to the number of suits one can own. They are considered to be simple, comfortable and easy-to-go ethnic wear! 

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3. Patiala Suit

young women wearing a patiala suit
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Patiala suits are wider and cooler than regular bottoms, and they are very popular as Indian traditional dresses. The pleats on the pants give your outfit a fuller look because they give it more definition. Paired with a perfect set of earrings, these suits are the perfect outfit for your festivals and celebrations. They are timeless, and we all need them in our wardrobes.

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4. Anarkali Suit

girl wearing indian traditional dress, anarkali suit
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In recent years, Anarkalis have made a comeback in the Indian clothing world and are now a go-to outfit for many events. The Anarkali suit is a beautiful and timeless piece of clothing that has been a staple of Indian traditional dress styles for years.

Nothing can change the fact that floor-length Anarkali suits will always have a place in the fashion world.

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5. Lehenga Choli

Lehengas are becoming increasingly popular among Indian brides as their go-to wedding dress. Women across India often opt to wear a lehenga choli on their big day, and with the varieties available in the market, it is no wonder why!

If the lehenga is not the chosen dress for the wedding ceremony, many brides make sure to wear it for their other pre-wedding events as a go-to Indian traditional dress.

6. Kurta

girl wearing Indian traditional dress, kurta
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Kurtas are a go-to Indian traditional dress for modern Indian women. They are easy to wear and can be styled in many ways to suit any occasion. Even when you are not in the mood to dress up for a meeting, just wear a solid kurta and pair it with jhumkas and pumps – you’ve gotten yourself into a chic boho mode in minutes.

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7. Palazzo Suit

girl wearing Indian traditional dress, palazzo suit
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Palazzos have taken over the shelves – no more leggings for you! Palazzo pants look stylish with any kurta, and salwar suits can be replaced with palazzo suits and kurtas. Add chunky accessories to your Indo-Western look by wearing your palazzo pants with a short top or even a shirt.

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8. Long Skirt

girl wearing Indian traditional dress, long skirt
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If you want to add some boho-chic style to your wardrobe, stock up on long skirts. They always go well with a pair of chunky earrings and a smokey eye. You can pair them with kurtas for an Indian traditional dress look. So if you are looking to add some variety to your closet, do not forget to include a few long skirts.

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9. Floor Length Dress

girl wearing Indian traditional dress, floor length dress
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Floor-length dresses are the latest trend that has taken over the fashion world, and we can not get enough of them! This desi-inspired Indian traditional dress is a beautiful combination of a long one-piece suit and an Anarkali. You can match a heavy or light-worked dupatta, and either way, you will be sure to look stunning. Pair it with slightly elevated footwear to create a more polished look.

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10. Maxi Gown

girl wearing indian traditional dress, maxi gown
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If you’re looking to add a touch of western glamour to your wardrobe for events like office parties, then look no further than a maxi gown! When combined with shiny sequins, this Indian party-wear dress is sure to make you stand out from the crowd. 

The flowy gown suits all body types, and it can be dressed up or down to suit any occasion – making it a versatile investment piece for your wardrobe. So go ahead and make that twirl moment happen with your stunning outfit!

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11. Pant Saree

girl wearing Indian traditional dress, pant sarees
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Looking for an authentic and elegant ethnic Indian traditional dress? Try pant sarees – a retro concept! Thanks to new-age innovations like elastic waists and belts, they are now much more comfortable and convenient to wear. Not only will you be comfortable, but you will also look more attractive with every step you take.

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12. Indo-Western Dress

girl wearing Indian traditional dress, indo-western dress
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Indo-Western dresses could be your perfect Indian traditional dress to transform your look from ordinary to amazing. When it comes to fashion, most women want to experiment with out-of-the-box style factors.

If you are one of them, then you can try ethnic shrugs, jackets over casual jeans, or dhoti pants that will make heads turn during any event. However, to justify this indo-western look, you need to go for dramatic makeup to add overall glamour to the outfit.

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13. Sharara Suit

The sharara suit has been a popular Indian attire for women for many years and it is still a go-to choice today because of its comfort & style. This outfit is perfect for weddings or other traditional gatherings.

14. Dupatta

girl wearing Indian traditional dress, dupatta
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Everyone has a love-hate relationship with dupattas for reasons but the concept of mixing and matching dupattas to create a contrast instead of wearing the mainstream salwar suits is something nobody ignores. Banaras, phulkari and bandini dupattas are some of the styles women are crazy about.

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15. Sherwani Suit

girl wearing Indian traditional dress, sherwani suit
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This is one of the newer types of Indian wear and isn’t very common yet, and you’ll definitely stand out in a crowd if you choose to wear sherwani! Usually highly embroidered all over, sherwanis are great outfits for weddings and festivals.

So, if you’re looking for something unique to wear that is not a suit or saree then this outfit is a must-try for you. 

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16. Lancha

girl wearing Indian traditional dress, lancha
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Lancha is a type of lehenga choli that is distinguished by its choli style and skirts. The choli is a lancha ensemble that is generally longer than waist length and extends past the lehenga’s waistline. They are commonly worn in Indian traditional dress at weddings and festivals & are considered an important element in the Indian clothing range.

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17. Dhoti Kurta

girl wearing indian traditional dress, dhoti kurta
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Dhoti has evolved from drapery to a stitched style that can be more easily worn and has become a prominent part of Indian women’s wear in the past several years. Nowadays, women wear pre-stitched silk or satin dhoti paired with a kurta or a belted and draped top. These modern variations can be seen in many new collections.

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18. Kurti and Churidar

girl wearing indian traditional dress, kurta, and churidar
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Churidar is a type of trousers that can be paired with frock style kurtis, A-line kurtis, front cut kurtis, short kurtis and long Kurtis. The trousers are typically longer than the length of the legs and the excess fabric is folded at the ankles, which resembles bangles, and that’s how they get their name. 

This type of Indian traditional dress is perfect for last-minute parties, hangouts or surprise guests!

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19. Cape-Top Saree

girl wearing indian traditional dress, cape-top saree
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Cape sarees are the latest trend in Indian traditional dress looks. Celebrities, fashion influencers and brides have all been seen wearing them. And it is no wonder why these sarees with a cape top add an extra layer of grace and style. The embroidery and sequins on the cape top make the saree stand out even more.

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20. Kurti with Cigarette Pants

girl wearing indian traditional dress, kurti with cigarette pants
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Cigarette pants with an alluring and vivid kurti make for the perfect Indian traditional dress to flaunt at every festive and wedding occasion. Popular amongst young and middle-aged women, this ethnic wear helps you pull off a flawless and elegant look this festive season.

To make a stunning fashion statement, pair this attire with a heavy jhumka to keep the outfit colour-coordinated.

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21. Indian Co-ord sets

girl wearing indian traditional dress, co-ord set
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Wearing coordinated clothing is a popular trend that has been making a comeback in recent years as the trendiest Indian traditional dress. This trend is all about matching your top and bottom garments in terms of style, colour, and print. Wearing a co-ord set is the simplest way to achieve this look. A co-ord is an Indian traditional dress that makes a woman look effortlessly stylish and elegant.

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Conclusion

With the wedding and festive season upon us, there is no better time to spice up your wardrobe. Try some gorgeous Indian clothing options that you can flaunt. So what are you waiting for?

Get shopping and let us know which one was your favourite!

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