Floor Length Anarkali Suit
Embroidered Net Abaya Style Suit in Beige and Fuchsia
A floor length anarkali suit is a traditional form of Indian ethnic wear that is sported by women across India as well as certain South Asian countries as well. Also, known as Floor Sweeping Anarkali, this suit comprises a long, floor length kurti that is always paired with a churidar bottom. A dupatta is also draped with this outfit. The kurti of this outfit is usually quite fitted around the chest and waist and then flairs out to form a flowing skirt. These suits can be made from a variety of fabrics such as crepe, velvet, cotton silk, silk, georgette and even chiffon.
Origin & History
Floor length anarkalis date back to the Mughal era. This outfit was originally worn by Mughal royalty amongst both men and women. These women originally used fabrics like Katan silk to create their garments. Known for their lavish lifestyles, the royal Mughal women would only wear their outfits once and then would discard them by giving them away to their handmaids or other servants. This is how the trend started to trickle into Indian society.
There are various theories as to where the name of this suit originates from however, the most popular one is that it was worn primarily by a slave named Anarkali who came from Iran and had an affair with Prince Salim. Due to her unparalleled beauty and the grace of the attire, the suits became extremely popular and were adopted by the royal Mughal women almost instantly. They were named after her. The name translates into ‘pomegranate blossom’.
Sources of Inspiration
The floor length anarkali suit is inspired by the Mughal attire of old. While the original items could also be calf length, the floor length anarkalis are named because of the length of the kurta denoted by it. Like most clothing that comes from a Persian background, floor length anarkalis have their own sets of motifs and patterns that are traditionally used the most. Mostly, these motifs and patterns are inspired by nature so one can find various suits with floral embroidery, vines, and peacocks and so on. Of late, however, more abstract patterns are being incorporated into the look as well.
Another strain of inspiration for the floor length anarkalis lies in the fact that these garments were initially made for royalty which then permeated to the commoners. Therefore, this type of churidar kameez is made keeping festive and grand occasions in mind. Floor length anarkalis are not meant as daily wear in India.
Traces of yet another traditional garment can be seen in the floor length anarkali. The abaya, which is an outer jacket that is worn by women from the Islamic community, follows similar principles in terms of the length of the garment and its fall from the waist down. Although, floor length anarkalis can have flared skirts, those inspired by the abaya have less of a flare and flow straighter.
(Image: Pinterest)
The Making
Floor length anarkalis were originally hand stitched but can also be made by using a machine. Mostly, the embroidery done on this outfit is done by either method, depending on the material or the fabric that is used to create this garment in the first place.
Style & Variety
Embroidered Georgette and Net Abaya Style Suit in Baby Pink
Traditional anarkalis don’t actually reach the floor; they stop a few inches higher than the ankle, allowing one to see the churridar underneath. So there are two overall looks to an anarkali that one can find in the market today, one of them being calf-length and the other floor length.
Floor length anarkalis can have both straight falls in the skirt or the look of a flared skirt. Moreover, the kurta itself can have many layers underneath. A floor length anarkali made of net, will have solid color layers underneath. However, if the outer fabric is not transparent or translucent, the cut of the layers can be such that they fall one over the other. There is no limit to the number of layers a floor length anarkali suit can have.
Embroidered Net Abaya Style Suit in Peach
The embroidery done on floor length anarkalis is representative of the motive behind its making i.e. festivities and celebrations. Therefore one can see a lot of intricate and elaborate work on a floor length anarkali, commonly in zari and jacquard.
Innovations
The floor length anarkali is a recent innovation of the traditional anarkali itself so the style does not have a lot of innovations on it at the moment. However, in terms of the top half of the suit, the innovations include adding western aesthetics to the top by making it either sleeveless or backless as well as abandoning the idea of the dupatta altogether.
However, the style of the floor length anarkali has been adapted into a floor length gown as opposed to a suit or a churidar kameez. This has been seen on prominent international platforms being flaunted by popular bollywood actresses.
Traditional prints and motifs have been replaced by more abstract prints and patterns to appeal to all audiences.
How to wear the attire?
Floor length anarkalis are back in fashion in India and are worn mainly to formal occasions or events as they give one an elegant and sophisticated look. This garment is widely popular mainly because it suits all sorts of body types as it is fitted at the top and flared at the bottom, which works well to conceal and highlight ones curves in a flattering way. Most women choose to wear this attire with churidar pants and a light dupatta that compliments the colors of the anarkali, however with recent trends in fashion; women also mix and match them as well.
Floor length anarkalis are best worn with high heeled shoes as they not only compliment the fall of the skirt, they also prevent the skirt from sweeping the floor.
Maintenance
Maintaining a floor length anarkali depends highly on the fabric that is used to make the outfit. While fabrics such as cotton, chiffon and georgette can be maintained easily and should only be dry cleaned, other fabrics such as silk require the outfit to be wrapped in a muslin cloth to prevent it from getting damaged easily.
Interesting facts
- The floor length anarkali is inspired by the abaya and the traditional anarkali.
- After the Mughal Era, the anarkali was a forgotten garment however, after the release of the bollywood movie, Mughal-E-Azam, the outfit was brought back into fashion.
- Anarkalis are also worn in South Asian countries and not just in India or Pakistan
- This outfit is considered to be good maternity wear as the flared skirt hides the baby bump easily
References
Categories: Ethnic Innovations, Outfits