Report from India, Part 7: Colors + Indian fashion

Let's talk about saris. In the sari world, all colors are a go..and especially good when there are many involved in one outfit. And even better if they are bright. 

Extra points if you clash with everyone else in your group. (Okay, clash in the Western fashion sense of the word)

There are flowers here in that particular fushia color..

There are some in that even pinker color (like the sari in the next photo, far right)

so really, it makes sense that Indians would wear it too. It exists in their natural environment..I just find it very, very bright. Polyester/fake bright. 

It seems most of the sari colors are. I have seen saris that are fairly 'tame' in comparison (either only 1 color or one color and white/cream); 

these might even fit into a western fashion sense, but most or at least many saris belong to a very Indian fashion sense. And mixing prints? Everything is game.

We were also reflecting that India seems colorful because of the people—mostly because of the women. The houses tend to be brown/white or fairly nondescript. The cars are also generally 'normal' colors. The 'auto' rickshaws are generally bright green and yellow but otherwise you pretty much see color where you see people. And there you see ALL the colors! (and probably ALL the patterns! too)

Update: There is something else that many Indian women wear: a kurta. This tunic is worn with leggings or loose trousers and a shawl, often worn backwards around the neck. (Frankly it seems a lot more practical for everyday wear.)

We just got back from our second visit to satsang, where I had a further realization. It seems that the extreme colorfulness may belong to Indian 'dress clothes'. There is a normal standard of colorfulness, don't get me wrong, but as I looked around at the satsang, I realized that there were many muted colors and plain fabrics. 

Of course, there were sometimes still color combinations that I wouldn't necessarily wear, but there was a woman in a green outfit (kurta + leggings) with a plain white sash, another in a black outfit with faint purple designs and a purple sash, another in a blue+white striped kurta with white leggings and sash. Everyday wear is evidently not always so bright.

And here is my new sari :)

p.s. Here is probably my favorite fashion choice: pompoms!