Home > Society > Costumes in India > Traditional Dress of Gujarat
Traditional Dress of Gujarat
The traditional dresses of Gujarat showcase the unique tradition and culture of the region. Just like the food, architecture, and festivals of the region, the dressing sense of the people of Gujarat are very distinctive from the rest of India.

Share this Article:

Traditional Dress of GujaratThe state of Gujarat is also known as the "Jewel of Western India" and the traditional dress of the state reflects its rich culture and heritage. The traditional dresses of Gujarat are different for both men and women and there is a certain kind of diversity in the costumes. This is because there are various ethnic groups constituting Gujarat"s population.This diversity in dressing represents the age-old culture and the modern changes coexisting in unison with each other.

Tarditional Dress of Gujarat for Men
The traditional dress of Gujarat for men mainly comprise of the kediyu or kurta as the upper garment, dhoti or chorno for the lower garments. Discussed elaborately below is the various traditional dress of Gujarat for men:

Chorno: A traditional dress of Gujarat worn only by men, Chorno is a type of cotton pants that looks like a stitched dhoti. Chorno has a string to tie at the waist or have elastic and is loose and comfortable attire for men.

Kediyu: Also referred to as Angrakhu, the traditional dress of Kediyu or Kurta is a frock type kurta with frills, worn by the men in Gujarat. It is worn above the chorno to cover the top part of the body.

Kurta: Just like in other states of India, kurta form an integral part of men"s traditional wear, this garment has also marked a place as traditional dress for Gujarati men. It is a top wear made of cotton used to cover the torso of a man. Kurtas made for wearing on festivals and occasions have embroideries and designs on them.

Traditional Dress of Gujarat Dhoti: Dhotee or dhoti is a long piece of garment that is wrapped around the lower body of men. The garment is wrapped around the waist and tucked from between the legs. Gujarati men wore white or light coloured dhotis for normal wear.

Phento: Most of the men of Gujarat in the rural areas are known to wear a headgear or turban called Phento, which consists of a layered cloth wrapped around the head.


Traditional Dress for Men in Kutch The traditional dress for the men of Kutch is almost same but slightly different. They wear loose pants with short frock-like coats that are tied together with a string and attached to the coat instead of buttons. They wear it under long sleeved jackets beneath the coat. The men usually wear white coloured clothes with red or white coloured phento or turban on their heads.

Traditional Jewellery for Men in Gujarat
The traditional jewellery for the men of Gujarat is not much but some of the men may wear a gold ring and gold chain. Traditional Dress of Gujarat

Traditional Dress of Gujarat for Women
The traditional dress of Gujarat for women mainly comprise of the chaniya choli or the ghagra choli, chaniyo, choli, chunni and saree among others. Discussed elaborately below are the various traditional dress of Gujarat for women:

Chaniya: The traditional dress of Gujarati women, the Chaniya is paired with a blouse and an odhni or dupatta. The chaniyo is a kind of lehenga or ghagra with elaborate embroidery and designs on it. Chaniya can be described as a coloured petticoat or skirt-like garment which is designed with heavy mirror and thread work.

Choli: The women wear Polku or Choli on the top. It is an embroidered short blouse. Choli is mainly paired with a chaniya or a ghagra on traditional festivals and occasions. Choli is also worn as a blouse with sarees.

Chunni: The chunni or dupatta is an elongated piece of cloth to complete the dress. The chunni is worn diagonally and is used to cover their heads.

Sarees: It is a long piece of cloth that forms an important traditional costume for women across the Indian subcontinent. In Gujarat, women wear sarees bearing traditional designs like zari embroidery and hand printed designs.

Traditional dress of Women in Kutch The traditional dress for the women of Kutch is different than that of the traditional dress of Gujarat. The women of Kutch wear a special type of choli called abha or kanjari, which is a long piece of blouse that is decorated with mirror work and golden or silver thread work.

Traditional Jewellery for Women in Gujarat The traditional jewellery for the women of Gujarat includes bangles, earrings, necklaces, chains, nose pins and rings. The women also flaunt ornate, tassel key rings on their waist. The married women have Mangalsutra strung around their neckline and apply vermilion or sindoor on the parting of their hair in order to symbolize the holy bond of marriage. Women in the villages of Gujarat adorn themselves with tribal jewellery of silver colour.

Dresses for Festivals in Gujarat
Gujarat boasts of a number of unique regional festivals that are extremely colourful and close to their cultural heritage. During some of the popular festivals of Gujarat like Garba, raas, navratri, etc. men and women wear traditional costumes with heavy jewelleries. Women wear chaniya choli or ghagra choli with a kamarbandha, a coloured waistband. Kamarbandha can be made out of cloth or metal in a chain-like jewellery form. The kamarbandha is worn over the chunni to keep the chunni from flying away.

Men wear keviya and churidars. Churidars are tight trousers. Keviya is tight long-sleeved coat plaited with frills. They are embroidered with mirror work to add to the festive feel. Gujarati bride wears saree for the wedding ceremony. The saree may a panetar saree or a gharchola.




Share this Article:

Related Articles

More Articles in Costumes in India


Traditional Dresses of Jammu and Kashmir
The Traditional dresses of Jammu and Kashmir have historical significance to them and reflect the very rich cultural heritage of the state.
Traditional Dresses of Arunachal Pradesh
Traditional Dresses of Arunachal Pradesh reflect the ethnicity of the tribal population of the state. With 26 distinct tribes and over 100 sub-tribes, different tribes of this state wear different types of costumes.
Traditional Dresses of Assam
The traditional dress of Assam portrays the culture and essence of the state. People proudly follow the legacy left behind by their ancestors in the form of beautiful and exquisite pieces of traditional clothing worn during indigenous festivals and celebrations.
Traditional Dresses of Himachal Pradesh
Traditional Dresses of Himachal Pradesh are colourful and they vary from region to region, community to community, as well as from tribe to tribe.
Traditional Dresses of Madhya Pradesh
Traditional Dresses of Madhya Pradesh execute diversity in various aspects. Handicrafts and different textile techniques have given rise to a rich diversity of dresses of Madhya Pradesh.
Traditional Dresses of Meghalaya
The authentic and traditional dresses of Meghalaya reflect the cultural and social life of the tribal population of the state. The Khasi, Jaintias and Garos are the predominant tribes of Meghalaya region.
Traditional Dresses of Nagaland
Traditional Dresses of Nagaland mainly comprise shawls which are an extensively used item of the state. It is the most significant item used by the Naga people. The traditional dresses of Nagaland are worn mostly during the festivals.
Traditional Dresses of West Bengal
Traditional Dresses of West Bengal, with their exquisite design and traditional outlook, are appealing. The men’s and women’s wear have their own identity and characteristic features.
Traditional Dresses of Uttar Pradesh
Costumes of Uttar Pradesh are simple yet elegant. The people of Uttar Pradesh wear a variety of native and Western style dresses. They have separate category of costumes for daily wear and occasional wear as well.
Traditional Dresses of Manipur
Traditional Dresses of Manipur are simple and easy to wear. The patterns and designs on the costumes are very unique and colourful. Manipuris are setting new trends with their ancient and original attires.
Costumes of Punjab
Costumes of Punjab breathe vibrancy. Tradition marks the dress of the women:; colourful Salwar Kameez while Kurta-Pyjama or Lungi is worn by men.
Costumes of Bihar
Costumes of Bihar embody the rich cultural heritage of the state. Men don traditional outfits such as the Dhoti Mirjai, Kurta and Pajama, and Sherwani, while women grace themselves with elegant sarees and embellished lehengas.
Costumes of Jharkhand
Costumes of Jharkhand embody the simplicity and elegance of its inhabitants. From the one-piece Bhagwan worn by men to the sarees and Tussar silk sarees adorned by women, these costumes reflect the rich tribal heritage and cultural traditions of the region.
Costumes of Sikkim
Costumes and dresses of Sikkim reflect the youth and the zest that is integral to the people of this state. There are differences in clothing among the three communities of this state namely Lepchas, Bhutias and Nepalis.
Costumes of Tripura
The costumes of Tripura have their own traditional ethnicity. The traditional costumes of Tripura, such as Risa, Rignai, and Rikutu Gamcha, reflect the unique cultural heritage of the state. Skilled weavers create exquisite fabrics with intricate designs and motifs inspired by nature and tribal traditions.
Costumes of Uttarakhand
The costumes of Uttarakhand, a culturally diverse region in the Himalayas, showcase the rich heritage and traditions of its various communities. From the vibrant sarees and traditional jewelry of Garhwali and Kumaoni women to the colorful attires and unique accessories of tribal groups like Jaunsarees and Bhotias, the costumes of Uttarakhand reflect the cultural diversity, distinct identities of its people, and a trend which is suitable to the climate of the region.
Costumes of Andaman and Nicobar Island
The costumes of Andaman and Nicobar Islands showcase a fascinating blend of indigenous tribal traditions and influences from modern settlers. While the compulsion of wearing costume for decency has not yet touched the tribes of Andaman and Nicobar islands, modern clothing adopted by certain communities reflects the diverse cultural fabric of the islands
Costumes of Lakshadweep
Costumes of Lakshadweep are embellished with magnificent and vibrant colours that communicate love for life of the population of the region.
Costumes of Chandigarh
Costumes of Chandigarh uphold a pleasing medley of rich heritage complemented with stylish modernity. The costumes of Chandigarh also showcase the city`s diverse cultural heritage and the unique beauty of enthnicity.
Costumes of Dadra and Nagar Haveli
The essence of the costumes of Dadar and Nagar Haveli is ethnic.
Costumes of Delhi
Costumes of Delhi embody the rich cultural heritage of the city while showcasing a unique fusion of traditional elements and modern trends. From the popular salwar kameez and sarees for women to the timeless kurta pyjamas and sherwanis for men, Delhi`s costumes make a vibrant and stylish fashion statement, reflecting the cosmopolitan nature of the city.
Costumes of Odisha
Costumes of Odisha is reflects the unique culture of the state. Odisha has an ancient culture and popular for classical dance.