When the Mughal courtesan Anarkali used to dance & woo prince Salim flaunting her long & luxurious suit with a kurta that was defined at the bust & opened up like an umbrella from waist downwards; little did she know that she would be the perpetrator of a trend that would be a rage so many eras later, in the 21st century!
Anarkali suits, that originated from the Mughal women’s attire & were made famous by the controversial courtesan of Emperor Akbar’s court, basically comprise of a long, flowing kurta that is contoured till below the bust line & opens up to form a huge skirt, paired with a slim-fitted pair of pants or churidars. This silhouette, that was a typical style of the Mughal era, had faded into oblivion for some time thereafter and has resurfaced all these years later to be one of the leading trends in Indian ethnicwear.
The Anarkali has come back in various shapes, styles & avatars, giving today’s chic Indian woman lots of fashionable options to choose from. The ubiquitous flowing kurta now comes in all kinds of sizes - long, short, knee-length, ankle-length & even floor-length. The cuts vary, the styles differ, the embellishments range from simple to dressy to gaudy. Due to their luxurious silhouette & royal origin, Anarkali suits are mostly made in heavily embellished, ornately designed styles. But, the success of the trend has inspired designers to come up with more subtle, chic & casual versions of this dressy garment. So, choose your Anarkali suit with care – keep in mind the occasion for which you’ll wear it & your body type too. Simple, cotton Anarkali suits in pastel hues are perfect for a lunch out with friends, while intricately embroidered silk or net ones in rich jewel tones are sure to make heads turn at a wedding party! Also, don’t overlook your figure while deciding on your Anarkali – floor sweeping Anarkali dresses look ravishing on tall, slender women, while the empire line cut with a medium flare is perfect for petite ones.
Go out, feel royal & flaunt your Anarkali in style!