Sherwanis, the outfit of the royals in ancient India has managed to woo Indian and foreigners alike with its magnificent appearance. You might not find as many royals today but you most certainly will catch a glimpse of sherwanis and other Indian outfits commonly worn by people during the many festivals that a majority of Indians celebrate. Hasn’t that ever made your wonder how sherwanis came to be?
It is certainly no mystery when one takes a hard look at the history of India. Having been influenced by invaders and natives alike, the traditions and cultures followed by Indians, while showing a great deal of change, does have the essence of old.
The origin of sherwanis
Sherwani can find its roots in India centuries ago where the royals and nobles flaunted the ensemble as part of their daily attire. The achkan sherwani can be commonly seen worn by the maharajas of old with churidars in tow. Originating as achkans that were widely accepted as the Indian counterpart of the European-styled dress coats, the outfit gradually began evolving as people took to creating a fusion of the achkan and the British frock coat.
Modern-day sherwani
Over the years, sherwanis have seen various modifications that are each as appealing as the other. One can find numerous types of sherwanis and style these in unique ways to add a modern touch to the otherwise traditional attire. The dhotis that was quite a popular outfit among Indians decades ago have also made a comeback as the perfect partner to sherwanis.
Flaunting it Right
While sherwanis, in the olden decades, where worn on a regular basis, this practice has become almost non-existent, sparing a few families or regions. Nowadays, one rarely sees men wearing Indian outfits to work. The influence of the west has certainly given people the chance to choose comfort over tradition. However, that hasn’t managed to dampen the culture of flaunting traditional outfits during the many festivities, cultural events, and family occasions.
While many may consider it an influence of the west, there is no denying the fact that the essence of India resonates in every Indian outfit worn today. Now that you know the origin of the sherwani, you can share this little snippet with others when you have your sherwani on!
