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Indian Choli: Its Origins, History, and More

Modified on September 22, 2022 at 6:53 PM

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The clothing we wear is part of our family history. The items we wear and pass down to our children and grandchildren tell a story. Wearing certain articles of clothing for specific occasions becomes tradition and a way to celebrate and remember our heritage. 

A well known article of clothing tied to Indian culture is the lehenga choli. It is a garment rich in tradition and rooted deeply in Indian history. It is also an article of clothing that has evolved and thrived in modern times, while still maintaining its authenticity. 

Lehenga Choli

Lehenga and Choli are two parts of one attire. The lehenga is the skirt, or lower part, while the choli is the blouse or upper part. The skirt is worn at the waist with a bare midriff, with the dupatta (long scarf) usually covering the head or hanging off the shoulder. 

The choli can be made from multiple fabrics including silk, cotton, or chiffon, which can make them a little difficult to clean. They are usually embroidered or have colorful prints or embellishments.

The lehenga choli is likely the most widely known piece of Indian attire by outside cultures due to its beautiful and elaborate design and colors. The Lehenga Choli is traditionally worn as bridal attire in the urban parts of India. 

However, women do wear lehenga choli to normal parties and festivities in which case the design would vary. It would be less embellished for a non-bridal occasion and can be worn by all age groups and attendees (not just the guest of honor). 

When worn by younger women, the skirt may be worn with a halter-neck top or backless choli. It will likely be more colorful and customized to the individual tastes of the wearer. 

Origin

Evidence of cholis being worn can even be found in several stone sculptures dated back to 1 A.D. during the Gupta Empire. They were also worn throughout the Mughal reign as well. 

The first cholis were made from cotton. These groups began tailoring choli from rich textiles such as silk and brocade, which made the garments desirable for special occasions like weddings. The traditional bridal color was red, and usually heavily embroidered with golden thread of zari. The practice of applying embroidery was developed between the 19th and 20th centuries.  

The garment requires such intricate stitching that it usually takes about 20 days to complete. If they are hand-stitched or woven, the turnaround is much longer. There are actually communities that devote themselves to the creation of cholis, each assigned to their own specific task as part of the process. 

History

The history of the choli is primarily centered around Indian brides, they have remained a classic style over the centuries due to their versatility and cut which flatters any woman’s body type. 

The versions of bridal dress are the most embellished, and often the heaviest. It is not uncommon for the bride’s dress to weigh about 10 kilograms (approximately 20 pounds). It is also the time when the choli worn is the most unique, as it will be designed specifically to fit the style, body type, and personality of the bride who wears it. 

The style of a choli will also vary depending upon the location of the ceremony, family, and bride herself. Fashion choices for brides who find themselves outside of South India, may be slim. Things can also get complicated when attempting to adhere to local traditions where you are living (such as the United States), and if the groom is not Indian.

During the freedom struggle in India (1857 to 1947), the choli experienced a dip in popularity. Women chose the saree (long robe arranged to cover the body) as their new uniform. In the late 1980s, Lehenga cholis were spotted among celebrities and restarted their popularity which has continued to this day. 

Beyond

The versatility of the choli is one of the reasons why it is still popular among even the newest of generations. If you are a fan of the reality show, Love is Blind, you may have even seen an Indian lehenga choli featured go viral on several social media outlets. 

High-budget Bollywood films also showcased the beauty of lehenga cholis in the 90s, sparking an entire host of designers to begin anew. Today, the choli has been given a contemporary update by some top designers like Manish Malhotra and Anita Dongre. Incorporating a touch of influence from the West, new-age silhouettes with urban motifs and styles, the choli had embraced a whole new level of style and appeal.

Its classic design provides the perfect foundation for experimentation and expression, without losing the originality of the garment itself. The choli is a garment that moves with the times still deeply rooted in tradition. 

Related posts:

8 Ways to Style a Choli for Fall Wedding Season8 Ways to Style a Choli for Fall Wedding Season

Posted By The Fashionable Housewife
on September 22, 2022 at 6:53 PM
Filed Under: Dresses & Skirts
Tagged With: India, indian choli, indian designers, indian fashion, indian fashion designers, indian wedding, Indian Weddings

About The Fashionable Housewife

Sarah-Jean Ballard is the Editor in Chief of The Fashionable Housewife blog and Founder of Fashionable Media. Married to a sexy Molecular Biologist, housewife, mom to 5, homeschooler, Certified Personal Nutritionist and entrepreneur who's mission is to help moms just like you look and feel GREAT! Other interests include dancing, yoga, positive intactivism, natural birth and breastfeeding support, babywearing, paleo & gluten-free cooking, and promoting an overall healthy lifestyle to all.

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Sarah-Jean Ballard

Hi! I’m Sarah-Jean. I’m a Christian, the wife of a handsome Molecular Biologist, and the homeschooling mother of 5 beautiful kids!

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He was over the moon when we gave him the @lovevery floor mop that actually works! He uses it daily now. The mopping pad is machine washable and you can refill the fluid container on it. I usually just do water and a drop of essential oils because he loves it when everything smells clean! 😜 

Definitely recommend! If you want to grab this mop for your little helper, it’s in the Storyteller Play Kit from Lovevery for 3 year olds. 

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Stop trying to sit at a table you are no longer welcome at. Just be yourself, focus on God, love your family and friends, and the right people will gravitate to you. ✌🏻 

#raisingsaints #momlife #motherhoodunplugged #selflovejourney #growingpains #selfcaresunday
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The “Steffi” in green are the perfect boots for ushering in spring weather with their delicious vintage leather and worn-in look right out of the box. I love the chunky lug soles and inside zippers to get them on and off easily. 

These are the boots you’ll want to wear again and again. And again. 

Use my coupon code BALLARD20 to get 20% off your order! Find them on www.enjoiya.com

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You do not find a happy life. You make it. 

That’s the biggest lesson that grief has taught me. If I just wait around to be happy again, I’ll die sad. 

You don’t get through grief and come out the other side. That’s not how it works. You learn how to grow around it like a tree grows around a rock that’s in the way. You don’t wait for the rock to move. Cause it’s not gonna. 

Choose happy. And then make it happen. 

#choosehappy #joyinthejourney #griefjourney #healingfromtrauma
8 billion smiles in the world, but his is my favor 8 billion smiles in the world, but his is my favorite. 

Happy Valentine’s Day, @daeinexplains 🥰

The last 20 years with you have been my favorite years on this earth. ❤️ 

If I did anything right in my life, it was when I decided to give my heart to you.  You are my best friend, my soul mate, my better half, my rock, my everything. 

I love you.

#couplegoals #marriedlife #motherhoodthroughinstagram #weddingday #marriagegoals #yourestilltheone
Kids love helping if you just let them!💁🏼‍ Kids love helping if you just let them!💁🏼‍♀️

This little guy always asks to help when he sees me cleaning the house, washing the floors, doing laundry, or emptying the dishwasher. That’s what I love about Montessori parenting - it allows kids to do  big jobs and in turn makes them eager to help! 

He was over the moon when we gave him the @lovevery floor mop that actually works! He uses it daily now. The mopping pad is machine washable and you can refill the fluid container on it. I usually just do water and a drop of essential oils because he loves it when everything smells clean! 😜 

Definitely recommend! If you want to grab this mop for your little helper, it’s in the Storyteller Play Kit from Lovevery for 3 year olds. 

LlNK is in my bio to get FREE shipping! 💃🏼

#lovevery #loveverytoddler #loveverypartner #montessoriathome #montessoriplayroom #montessoritoddler
Stop trying to fit your square self in a round hol Stop trying to fit your square self in a round hole. 

Sometimes we outgrown relationships. Sometimes we realize someone else isn’t a good influence on our lives. Sometimes we realize we aren’t a good influence for someone else. Sometimes we need to let things go that aren’t good for us in order to grow. And that’s ok. 

Stop trying to sit at a table you are no longer welcome at. Just be yourself, focus on God, love your family and friends, and the right people will gravitate to you. ✌🏻 

#raisingsaints #momlife #motherhoodunplugged #selflovejourney #growingpains #selfcaresunday
When your toaster breaks from a power surge you ta When your toaster breaks from a power surge you take that as a sign that it’s time to upgrade! 🤪

It wasn’t hard to pick a new 4 slice toaster. As soon as I saw this one from @haden_usa I added it to my cart. I bought it from @lordandtaylor because it had the fastest shipping and I didn’t want to wait! 

No fancy electronics, screens, or extra features we don’t need. Just simple, straight forward functions and perfect results everytime. Plus it matches all my @cafeappliances too! 😂👍🏻

What do you think of this 4 slice toaster?! 

#toasters #kitchenappliances #kitchendesign #kitchendecor #whitekitchen #farmhousekitchen #farmhousestyle #whiteappliances
I’m obsessed with these leather booties from @en I’m obsessed with these leather booties from @enjoiya! 💃🏼 

The “Steffi” in green are the perfect boots for ushering in spring weather with their delicious vintage leather and worn-in look right out of the box. I love the chunky lug soles and inside zippers to get them on and off easily. 

These are the boots you’ll want to wear again and again. And again. 

Use my coupon code BALLARD20 to get 20% off your order! Find them on www.enjoiya.com

#leatherbooties #enjoiya #italianshoes #realmomstyle #momstyle #momstyletips
All the poop shoveling doesn’t seem so bad with All the poop shoveling doesn’t seem so bad with the prices of eggs right now! 🤪 🐔 🥚 

Guess it’s ok to be a crazy chicken lady and have a homestead now! 🤣

#momlife #crazychickenlady #homesteadlife
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