The earliest evidence of fashion comes from places like India, China and ancient Mesopotamia. Fashion is known to have first appeared in the Indus Valley Civilization. Fashion in Ancient India consisted of things like adornment of the body with embellished garments, embellished pottery and etc. Fashion is also known to be associated with religious rites and activities of the temples.
In India, silk was used for a variety of reasons. Silk was worn as a luxurious material as it was comfortable to wear and very durable. However, silk was not so common among Indian women at that time. Silk was worn by the royal family but gradually it began to lose popularity with time.
In the Indus Valley Civilization, silk was used for all kinds of purposes. Silk fabrics were decorated and they also served as an important article of trade. Silk embroidery was a prominent business in that period. There were silk weavers, silk screeners and painters. Silk production started in the 6th century BC in India.
There are evidences that silk was used in textile construction in India even before the existence of the Indus Valley Civilization. Textile made out of fine fabrics of silk have some very special characteristics. They do not easily decay, do not shed water or get smelly and are also resistant to weather and flame. Silk is a natural fiber and therefore is biodegradable and organic.
In the Early Ages of Europe, the people wearing silk clothes had a high social status. Silk clothing has various qualities which make them unique and desirable. Silk clothes are comfortable and easy to maintain. Silk clothes also look very fashionable and chic. Silk was used in clothing for a very long time because of its many advantages.
In India, silk was valued highly, since it had been found in tombs of kings. Later, it travelled across the world, reaching places like China, Egypt, Greece and Rome. In the Medieval Ages, silk became more expensive and confined to the upper class of European countries, while in the early modern era, silk became cheaper and popular.
Nowadays, silk is still used in making many kinds of clothes. Silk clothes are also much cheaper than other kinds of clothes. They can be washed easily and even hand-washed. Silk clothes look fashionable and chic, and are available in a wide variety of styles, colors and textures.
The ancient Indian fashion of weaving clothes was called ‘Daladaan’ or ‘Slide weaving.’ This kind of ancient Indian fashion was mainly practiced by Lower Class people. As a result, the women who belonged to this group of people enjoyed their life to the maximum. Fashion in India is still carried on by the lower classes, as they have tradition and wealth backing them. Fashion in India is still seen through the clothes that people wear, be it for the purpose of practicality or just for showing off one’s personality. India has a rich history of Fashion, and the designers are constantly working to create new styles in India.
Indian men’s clothing has also evolved over the centuries. Earlier clothes worn by men were simple, decent and well-kept. But with time, the kinds of materials, designs and styles have changed, as have the men’s fashion sense. Nowadays, modern materials like nylon and Lycra are used in making clothes. The main reason behind this is that men are now becoming conscious about their grooming style and hence have started caring about their outer appearance.
Earlier clothes were meant to be worn daily, but now-a-days, the clothes that people wear are usually worn on special occasions. Special occasion clothes are also known as ‘epaulettes,’ and are generally expensive. The main reason for this is that only the elite class of society wears such expensive kinds of clothes on special occasions. The casual clothes are meant for daily use.
Fashion in India is also reflected in the accessories worn by people. Earrings made of pearls, bangles, necklaces made of rare beads and other expensive gemstones are all part of the new emerging fashion trends. People wear many kinds of headgear like hats, bandannas and turbans. These accessories give a special look to the person and help in reflecting the kind of fashion that one is wearing. Women also wear lotus pendants on their fingers, which not only look elegant, but also reflects their religious faith.
Another important thing to note about the fashion in ancient times is that it was characterized by simplicity, sobriety and creativity. People wore clothes according to the seasons and were thus able to make the most of their natural assets. Moreover, the variety of designs offered by nature inspired people to come up with better outfits. It is also believed that people could use natural elements like dye, fabrics, wood, etc. to make better clothes and thus, make their mark on the fashion in ancient times.