Costume Wrap Choli

History Of Indian Clothing

Sometimes threads of different colors were woven into the base fabric in patterns an ornamented border, an elaborate pallu, and often, small repeated accents in the cloth itself on various qualities of silk, cotton, georgette, chiffon etc. These accents are called buttis or bhutties (spellings vary). For fancy saris, these patterns could be woven with gold or silver thread, which is called zari work. Modern zari work is usually executed with glittering synthetic fibers rather than real gold or silver thread (made by wrapping gold or silver around a base thread). 

Sometimes the saris were further decorated, after weaving, with various sorts of embroidered works. Resham, zari or zardousi work is embroidery done with colored silk, golden, copper or silver thread for gorgeous bridal or wedding sarees or dulhan saris. Zardozi embroidery uses gold and silver thread and sometimes pearls and non-precious stones. Cheap modern versions of zardozi use synthetic metallic thread and imitation stones, such as fake pearls, sequin beads and Swarovski crystals. 
The word 'sari' is believed to derive from the Sanskrit word 'sati', which means strip of cloth. This evolved into the Prakrit 'sadi' and the sound later decayed into 'sari'. 

Some versions of the history of Indian clothing trace the sari back to the Indus valley civilization, which flourished in 2800-1800 BCE. One ancient statue shows a man in a draped robe which some sari researchers believe to be a precursor of the sari. 

Ancient Tamil poetry, such as the Silappadhikaram and the Kadambari by Banabhatta, describes women in exquisite drapery. This drapery is believed to be a sari. In the Natya Shastra (an ancient Indian treatise describing ancient dance and costumes), the navel of the Supreme Being is considered to be the source of life and creativity. Hence the stomach of the dancer is to be left unconcealed, which some take to indicate the wearing of a sari. 

Odissi dancer wearing a fishtail wrap.Some costume historians believe that the men's dhoti, which is the oldest Indian draped garment, is the forerunner of the sari. They say that until the 14th century, the dhoti was worn by both men and women. 

Sculptures from the Gandhara, Mathura and Gupta schools (1st-6th century CE) show goddesses and dancers wearing what appears to be a dhoti wrap, in the "fishtail" version which covers the legs loosely and then flows into a long, decorative drape in front of the legs [1]. No bodices are shown. 

Other sources say that everyday costume consisted of a dhoti or lungi (sarong), combined with a breast band and a veil or wrap that could be used to cover the upper body or head. Some argue that the two-piece Kerala mundum neryathum (mundu in malayalam is the same as dhoti or sarong and neryath means a cloth to cover the upper body similar to a shawl) is a survival of ancient Indian clothing styles, and that the one-piece sari is a modern innovation, created by combining the two pieces of the mundum neryathum. 

It is generally accepted that wrapped sari-like garments, shawls, and veils have been worn by Indian women for a long time, and that they have been worn in their current form for hundreds of years. 

One point of particular controversy is the history of the choli, or sari blouse, and the petticoat. Some researchers state that these were unknown before the British arrived in India, and that they were introduced to satisfy British ideas of modesty. Previously, women only wore the one, draped cloth and casually exposed the upper body and breasts. Other historians point to much textual and artistic evidence for various forms of breastband and upper-body shawl. 

It is possible that the researchers arguing for a recent origin for the choli and the petticoat are extrapolating from South India, where it is indeed documented that in some areas, women wore only the sari and exposed the upper part of the body. Poetic references from works like Shilappadikaram indicate that during the sangam period in ancient South India, a single piece of clothing served as both lower garment and head covering, leaving the bosom and midriff completely uncovered. In Kerala there are many references to women being topless, including many pitcures by Raja Ravi Varma. Even today, women in some rural areas do not wear cholis.

About the Author

We export fashion jewelry, sarees, indian fashion garments to usa, uk, canada, middle east and european countries.

Saris of India (साड़ी শাড়ি) Part 1 - Road Junkie Snippets 156

Minya Glitter Bellydance Choli Top This mock wrap in glimmering glitter-ice fabric is sure to turn heads with its flattering cut, bright color and sparkle and sheen. Featuring cold shoulders and a gently scooped back, its perfect for gypsy, tribal and Spanish fusion, practice, troupe routines, or just a night on the town. V-neck and mock wrap front create a slimming effect and are sure to please any dancer!...

Red Bra Choli Skirt Coin Belly Dancer Costume Set S $82.99 Gorgeous Hand Crafted beaded 2 PC set of Bridal Red Belly dance Top (Choli or Bra) and Long Skirt Wrap Costume Set with extensive bead work, sequin work and coin work, from India, Size = Small. NH8931 A must for amateur and professional dancers! This lovely combination of choli (bra) and belly dancing skirt wrap is extensively beaded and is embellished with sequin, bead and coin work. Beads and co...

BLACK BELLY DANCE OUTFIT COIN BRA CHOLI HIP WRAP SET S Gorgeous Hand Crafted beaded 2 PC set Black Belly dance Top (Choli or Bra) and Coin Wrap (Scarf) with extremely extensive bead work, sequin work and coin work, from India: Size = SMALL SKU# NH6012 A must for amateur and professional dancers! This lovely combination of choli (bra) and hip scarf is extensively beaded and is embellished with beads and coin work. Beads and coins slither along the f...

Adult Patchwork Wrap Skirt Costume $13.96 This simple but detail-designed Patchwork wrap skirt will make a 60's costume complete. Representative of a common 1960's stylish look, memories of a decade of peace & love will come alive. This look is Right On Dude! Features a multi-colored patchwork skirt that can be worn with any hippie style look.

Gangster Wrap Five In One Adult Costume $38.96 Sexy gangsters costume includes versatile dress, gangster hat, neck collar with tie, wrist cuffs and leg garter with dollarsign. This sexy gangster always gets away because she can change her look five different ways. That's right; the Gangster Wrap Five in One Adult Costume gives you the versatility of 5 unique necklines in on...

Gangstra Wrap Versatile Dress $54.95 This cunning gangster always gets away because she can change her look every single day! The mafia will be on your team, and you can rest assured that you'll stay in charge, as the versatility of your outfit keeps your excellence at large! The women of the mafia have much to be proud of, especially when they keep up their appearances as much as their rank in the social circles! Join the mob, at least for one day, as you drape yourself in a five in one Gangsta Wrap Versatile Dress Halloween Costume! The Gangsta Wrap Versatile Dress Halloween Costume features a pinstriped, black and white dress that can be worn with or without sleeves, as a halter, tube top, or so much more! The costume also comes with a gangster hat, neck collar with an attached tie, wrist cuffs, leg garter with dollar sign, and even styling instructions! Get in with the toughest crowd around, as the gorgeous girl of the mobster circle!

Spartan Costume - Mens $39.95 Spartan Warriors do not back down! They don't surrender! They fight to the death and if they make it through, are rewarded with getting to fight another day! If you are a man full of strength and will, then there is no better costume for you than the Mens Spartan Costume! Our Mens Spartan Costume comes with a burgundy cape fastened around the neck with a brilliant medallion! This also comes with a brown wrap with ribbon detail and belt! To finish the look, the costume even has a helmet and two brown wrist cuffs! Be ready for war in this amazing costume!

Saloon Girl Costume $67.95 This Halloween be the hottest lady in the wild west with this great looking Saloon Girl Costume. This costume has great detail and will look great no matter where you decide to party the night away. This Saloon Girl Costume comes with a beautiful green and black dress that goes down to the knees. The dress features great details including the beautiful black trim on the top and black waste wrap with fringe trim. This costume is perfect if you want to take a friend and go with a Western theme this year.

Indian Man Costume $32.99 This Halloween be the hottest lady in the wild west with this great looking Saloon Girl Costume. This costume has great detail and will look great no matter where you decide to party the night away. This Saloon Girl Costume comes with a beautiful green and black dress that goes down to the knees. The dress features great details including the beautiful black trim on the top and black waste wrap with fringe trim. This costume is perfect if you want to take a friend and go with a Western theme this year.

Baby Pea Pod Costume $14.95 Like peas in a pod, you want your baby snug and comfortable in their Halloween costume, so why not wrap them in this Baby Pea Pod Costume? This adorable outfit includes bunting and a snap on hood, and fits babies up to 28 inches! Made to accommodate clothing underneath, this costume is adjustable for easy on/easy off ability! Wrap your little one in an adorable look that will have all the other parents doting over them in this Baby Pea Pod Costume! Got a few friends for a playdate? Group them up with our wide array of baby costumes!

Mens Pharaoh Costume $32.96 Mens egyptian/arabian costume features a chest plate, wrist guards, waist wrap and headpiece. Here is the ideal costume to show those 6-pack abs, the Men?s Pharaoh Costume. The Pharaoh costume includes an exotic head piece and a black skirt. The Pharaoh costume is available in sizes ranging ...

Child Gypsy Costume - Gypsy Princess $16.99 The future looks bright for the little Gypsy Princess that wears this Child Gypsy Costume this Halloween. Whether you want to stand out by yourself or go with a group of friends this cute costume is a sure way to make this Halloween a night to remember. This two piece Child Gypsy Costume comes with an adorable blue and purple peasant dress with gold lace up sides with an attached aqua coin trimmed waist wrap, and to top off this already wonderful costume a matching purple head scarf is included.

Girls Twister Costume $23.95 It's a simple game, but one that is intensely complex to master! You can wrap yourself in the multi-colored dots of this classic game from the 1960s in this Girls Twister Costume! In the style of the era this game was made in and with the board game hat, you can bring the fun to your Halloween party in this outfit! Stylish and age-appropriate, you'll have everyone at the party getting twisted around! Grab the Girls Twister Costume, and group up with your friends with some of our other humor-themed costumes!

Adult Twister Costume $29.95 It's a simple game, but one that is intensely complex to master! You can wrap yourself in the multi-colored dots of this classic game from the 1960s in this Adult Twister Costume! In the style of the era this game was made in and with the board game hat, you can bring the fun to your Halloween party in this outfit! Stylish and sexy, you'll have everyone at the party getting twisted around! Grab the Adult Twister Costume, and watch out - if your hat spins to the right dot, you may just become the game!

Embroidered silk choli dress with Banarasi dupatta $239 Embroidered silk choli dress with Banarasi dupatta

Adult Crayola Costume - Green Crayon $34.95 We think if we added up all of the miles of crayons we???ve used in our lives, they???d wrap around the entire solar system a couple of times times. It???s hard to imagine a childhood without those crayons. The Adult Crayola Costume - Blue Crayon comes out of those great memories. Crayola crayons are great, so why not dress up as one this Halloween? The Adult Crayola Costume - Blue Crayon is a unisex costume so no matter what gender you may or may not be this costume may be for you. Don???t be blue this Halloween, get thist costume instead!

Adult Crayola Costume - Blue Crayon $34.95 We think if we added up all of the miles of crayons we???ve used in our lives, they???d wrap around the entire solar system a couple of times times. It???s hard to imagine a childhood without those crayons. The Adult Crayola Costume - Blue Crayon comes out of those great memories. Crayola crayons are great, so why not dress up as one this Halloween? The Adult Crayola Costume - Blue Crayon is a unisex costume so no matter what gender you may or may not be this costume may be for you. Don???t be blue this Halloween, get thist costume instead!

Womens Birthday Costume - Sexy Surprise $34.99 Marilyn Monroe gave the ultimate sexy Birthday toast! This Halloween, pay homage to that toast in your very own sexy Birthday costume! The Womens Birthday Costume ??? Sexy Surprise is sure to grab all of the attention at the holiday parties this year! Look dazzling! Feel dazzling in the Womens Birthday Costume ??? Sexy Surprise! The sexy costume comes complete with a poly satin 2 tiers with tassel pasties and zipper back dress with removable bra, cute wrap and alluring gloves! You will be the hottest Birthday Gift! Pay homage to Marilyn Monroe this holiday. Order your Sexy Surprise Birthday Costume today!

Disco Child Costume - Disco Dolly $24.95 Go go groovy gal! Do you like to dance and boogie the night away? If so, this is the perfect look for your night out! Our Disco Dolly Disco Child Costume is made for the dancing queen! This costume comes with a vibrant psychedelic multi-colored dress, with bell sleeves and glittered accents. It also comes with a matching head wrap! Grab some go go boots and strut with your Saturday Night Fever! Keep the funk alive and get down in this lively Disco Dolly Disco Child Costume!

Adult Crayola Costume - Yellow Crayon $34.95 Everyone loves a crayon. We think if we added up all of the miles of crayons we???ve used in our lives, they???d wrap around the entire solar system a few times. People especially love Crayola. It???s hard to imagine a childhood without those crayons. The Adult Crayola Costume - Yellow Crayon comes out of those great memories. Crayola crayons are great, so why not dress up as one this Halloween? The Adult Crayola Costume - Yellow Crayon is a unisex costume so no matter what gender you consider yourself, this costume may be for you. So get out there this Halloween and paint the town yellow.

Adult Crayola Costume - Red Crayon $34.95 Paint the town red with the Red Crayon Adult Crayola Costume! Everyone loves a crayon. I think if we added up all of the miles of crayons we???ve used in our lives, they???d wrap around the entire solar system a few times. Crayola crayons are great, so why not dress up as one this Halloween? Sure beats dressing up as a Prismacolor marker. That would just be silly.The Adult Crayola Costume - Red Crayon is a unisex costume so no matter what gender you consider yourself, this costume may be for you.

Toddler Crayola Costume - Blue Crayon $24.95 Kids love crayons. We think if we added up all of the miles of crayons we???ve used in our lives, they???d wrap around the entire solar system a few times. People especially love Crayola. The Toddler Crayola Costume - Blue Crayon comes out of those great memories. Since Crayola crayons are great, so why not dress up as one this Halloween? Sure beats dressing up as a Prismacolor marker. That doesn???t even make sense.The Toddler Crayola Costume - Blue Crayon is a unisex costume for any boy or girl. So, don???t be blue this Halloween, get a great costume like this and paint the town red instead.

Women's Disco Costume - Disco Dolly $29.95 ABBA-dabba-diva!! This costume is perfect for a funky disco queen! Our Disco Dolly Women's Disco Costume comes with a vibrant multi-colored dress accented by glittered dots, turning you into a disco ball! The dress is mini-dress length with bell sleeves and a low scoop neck. It also comes with a matching head wrap! Grab a pair of your favorite go-go boots and get ready to dance the night away! You'll love to love this costume, baby! Go-go grab this Disco Dolly Women's Disco Costume now!

Pirate Cutie Costume For Tween $20.96 Includes dress, hip wrap, leggings, glovelettes and bandana. Hoist the mains matey and get ready to set sail in this Pirate Cutie Costume for Tweens. This cute pirate costume consists of a short red and black striped dress, a hip wrap with skull and crossbones ...

Teen Tokyo Treasure Costume $18.96 Teenagers international costume features a satin wrap style dress w/ turquoise blossom print, geisha shaped sleeves and contrast ruffle details. Also includes faux vinyl adjustable lace-up front waist corset and 2 chopsticks for hair. The Teen Tokyo Treasure costume is a black satin wrap...

Axl Rose Costume - Wig $15.95 Welcome to the jungle!!! If you want to make it November rain on your friends this Halloween, you'll need to make sure you can slash through the competition to be the last man standing! Don't take any chances! Just grab the Axel Rose Costume Wig instead! Our Axel Rose Costume Wig comes with medium-length red hair with wild waves framing the face! All you'll need is Stephanie Seymour on your arm and a bandanna to wrap around your glorious mane! When you have an appetite for destruction, then feed the need with this awesome wig!

Womens Buccaneer Beauty Costume $36.95 Cut the jib, cast the anchor, full speed ahead, and batten down the hatches or whatever else you need to do to be worthy of the Women???s Buccaneer Beauty Costume. If none of that sounds appealing, I???m sure you can get some sap to do it for you, because if you look as good as this saucy corsair, people will just listen to you. Some people, anyways.The Women???s Buccaneer Beauty Costume is everything its title says it is and more. The outfit comes with a top, sleeves, a striped skirt, a hip wrap (or sash), and a head tie (to keep the sweat and hair out of your eyes when you???re engaged in a swordfight with some Royal Navy officer). The Women???s Buccaneer Beauty Costume is for any gal that???s wanted to raid the high seas in style.

Jewel Of The Sea Costume Teen $24.96 Teenager pirate costume includes a dress, hip wrap, leggings, glovelettes and head tie. Ahoy there! Don't you look like a hottie? This costume has just the right amount of sexy teen style. The Teen Jewel of the Sea Costume features a black and red striped dress with a smal...

Teen Disco Dolly Costume $19.96 Teen 70's costume costume featrues a dress and head wrap. go-go boots sold separately. The glittering days of disco are ready to make a fun, fashionable comeback with your help- along with our groovy Disco Dolly costume for teens, of course! This mini dress is fitted for...

Toddler Bee Costume -Cute Bee $21.95 Buzz, buzz! Flying throughout the garden, the simple and beautiful life of the bee brings forth images of springtime. Dress your infant in this Toddler Bee Costume and wrap them in gorgeous yellow and black stripes! This Cute Bee outfit will have them look as though they're ready to bring out the spring bloom! Get in the spirit of spring and in an adorable Halloween outfit with this Cute Bee outfit! Group up this Toddler Bee Costume with our large assortment of animal costumes!

Womens Nurse Costume - Fashion Nurse $19.95 There's a hot male patient waiting for some TLC! If you think a sponge bath is part of your sexy bedside manner and you want to be the best helper you can be, then maybe it's time for the Fashion Nurse Womens Nurse Costume! Our Fashion Nurse Womens Nurse Costume comes with a stark white wrap mini-dress, with short cuffed sleeves and collar! This also comes with a white apron with a red cross on the front and even a matching white hat with red cross! To make sure your patient's heart beats faster when near you, there's even a stethoscope included! Before the Doctor is in, take care of the poor patient first in this sexy Halloween costume!

Kids Pirate Girl Costume - Ruby the Pirate Beauty $13.99 Avast matey! For buried treasure, x marks the spot! Pirates seek treasure and this costume is truly a gem! Our Ruby, The Pirate Beauty Kids Pirate Girl Costume should come with its own map! This Ruby, The Pirate Beauty Kids Pirate Girl Costume features a black vest with attached shiny white sleeves and corset styling. This also has a black skirt with jagged hem detail, a black head tie, and a merry red and white hip wrap. Get more bang for your buccaneer and purchase this costume today!