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How To Wear A Dhoti?
A Dhoti is an unstitched garment or a large fabric, measuring about 5 yards in length, that is wrapped by men around their waist and legs. In Vedic civilization, wearing Dhoti was a part of their everyday attire. However, modern civilization has changed the clothing styles and preferences of Indian men and women. Indians have now imbibed the western culture. That being said, one cannot ignore the fact that some sections of men can still be seen wearing dhotis such as the farmers of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, some secular politicians, the pujaris or priests in Hindu temples, and some traditional martial artists. It is undoubtedly the emblem of the unmatched Indian culture. Dhoti is called by different names in different places such as ‘Mundu’ in Kerala, ‘Laacha’ in Punjab, ‘Mardaani’ in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, ‘Veshti’ in Tamil Nadu, ‘Dhotar’ in Maharashtra, etc.
Draping a perfect Dhoti: The neat and comfortable way
Tying a perfect dhoti is not a difficult task and can be wrapped in various ways. If you want to experience the comfortable drape of the dhoti, you need to know how to wear the dhoti in the simplest way, the steps of which are mentioned below:
STEP - 1
Take a long piece of unstitched cloth of your choice. Make sure it is clean and does not have any wrinkles on it. Bring the cloth from the back to the front on the waist so that there is the same length of the cloth on either side of your body.
STEP - 2
Measuring on both your index fingers, tie two knots near the navel. The knots should neither be too tight nor too loose on your waist. Now the cloth is divided into two sections; left and right.
STEP - 3
Take the left section from between your legs. Make a series of structured and aligned folds between both the loose ends, and tuck it at the back. Remember, it is the way the folds have been set that makes the dhoti look elegant.
STEP - 4
Now that the left section is set, it is time to work on the right section of the cloth. You have to make similar pleats on this side too and make sure that they remain intact. Now tuck it at the waist.
Different ways of styling Dhoti
The lightweight cotton fabric of the dhoti is available in various colors having a stripe of a colorful border making it appear rich and sophisticated. This clothing is suited especially for the summer season. A lot of innovations have been made to the Dhoti, one of them being its availability in silk fabric also. The silk varieties are worn on special occasions and marriage ceremonies, while the cotton varieties are worn as daily wear. The Indian dhoti is not only extremely comfortable for men but also adds an element of dignity and manliness to their personalities. The way of styling the Indian dhoti differs from place to place and has indeed evolved a lot due to global influence.
In the South Indian states men either fold their dhoti into half and tuck it at the waist reaching only to their knees which is mostly worn on informal occasions, or a full-length dhoti which is mostly plain white bearing a golden border. They wear it with an unstitched piece of cloth known as “Angavastram” draped over their shoulders. Some men wear the dhoti along with a shirt which they call a “Chokka”.
Men in North India style their dhoti with a Kurta and the combination is called “Dhoti-kurta”. Men of the “Jaat” community of Haryana are also seen clad in Dhoti Kurta.
Traditional men of West Bengal wear a Dhoti made of Tussar or Silk along with a Kurta on the festivity celebrations of Durga Puja and Saraswati Puja.
The Gaudiya Vaishnavas or the devotees of the worldwide-known Hare Krishna Movement have positively adopted the Vedic culture of wearing Dhoti as their everyday attire. The Brahmacharis wear saffron colored dhoti along with saffron Kurta while the Grihastha men wear white colored dhoti along with white Kurta. Some unmarried boys pair their dhoti with a simple T-shirt or collared shirt making it look more like a fashionable garment. The youth of this movement inspires others to reconnect with the rich tradition and culture of Bharat due to which wearing a dhoti has gained a lot of popularity.
High quality, traditional Indian male clothing can be hard to find, even online. That’s why Exotic India now provides a wide selection of men’s dhotis, angavastram, and veshti. These are made out of premium cotton or silk, providing a high level of comfort. With so many options, you can find your traditional Indian male garment — no matter your preferences.
The dhoti is a sarong, a tube of cloth used for clothing, that is tied around the body to create trousers. The dhoti is one of the oldest forms of clothing in continuous use one earth today. Because it is unstitched, Jains believe it is less corruptible.
Angavastram are simple pieces of cloth meant to be worn around the shoulders or as a stole by men. Popular in the Indian subcontinent, these are worn together with dhotis. Decorated angavastram can be given as gifts as a sign of respect, and they can be embroidered with details that have certain symbolic meaning.
The veshti is similar to a dhoti, being a single piece of cloth that is wrapped around the body. Though it is not folded to create trousers. The veshti is used in Tamil Nadu, a state in southern India.
These clothing options come in many beautiful colors and sumptuous texture. Our finely made dhotis and veshti cloth your body in the most traditional Indian garments, all while providing incredible comfort. Many of our designs come with exquisite and intricate detail work, while we also offer options with elegant simplicity.
Exotic India is your go-to online store for the best traditional Indian male clothing. We’ve worked hard to bring you the most convenient way to own the clothing you need. We source all of our garments from India, keeping the long history of dhotis and veshtis alive for you, wherever you live in the world.
FAQs
Q1. Why do Indian men wear dhotis on special occasions?
The dhoti is an example of a traditional garment that may be seen being worn in India. It is considered to give off an air of nobility and command respect from those who are in close quarters with the individual who is wearing it. This outfit is a component of a larger one that is usually assembled as a whole and worn for ceremonial occasions such as weddings and festivals. This ensemble is a part of a complete set that includes other pieces. The dhoti is an important accessory that is worn throughout the festivities that take place both before and after a wedding. It is a crucial aspect of both of these events.
Q2. What is the length of men’s dhoti?
The dhoti is an essential component of the traditional garb that men in the Indian subcontinent wear, and they almost always wear it. The dhoti is made by wrapping a rectangular piece of unstitched cloth around the wearer's waist and legs, then tying a knot in the fabric either at the front or the rear of the garment, depending on where the knot is to be put. The dhoti is often worn by males in traditional Indian dress. In the traditional culture of India, the dhoti is almost exclusively worn by men. In most cases, the length of the fabric is somewhere in the neighborhood of 4.5 meters (15 feet).
Q3. Are Dhotis comfortable?
The dhoti is the most relaxed garment for a man to wear. This is because it is made from a breathable cloth, is not too heavy, and has a roomy cut, all of which contribute to a comfortable wearing experience. Do you remember how, in the past, people donned dhotis as a badge of pride before entering battle? Dhotis are traditionally worn because of their great level of comfort, therefore that's what we'll keep doing. The garment serves an important function in Indian culture and, depending on the context, may have a little effect on the local ecosystem. The shirt's versatility and comfort make it a great pick.
Q4. How many types of dhoti are there?
The market is filled with many different kinds of dhotis, such as the silver zari dhoti, which are available in a broad variety of colors, sizes, designs, and price points. The silver zari dhoti is one example of the many different kinds of dhotis that are accessible. One illustration of these different styles is the dhoti with silver zari embroidery. The Kannada Kache Panche Dhoti, the Telugu Pancha Dhoti, the Bengali Kochano or Pleated Dhoti, the Maharashtrian Dhotar, the Rajasthani Dulangi Dhoti, the Punjabi Chadra, and many other types of dhotis are some examples of the various types of dhotis that are available.
Q5. What are the benefits of dhoti?
The dhoti bestows beneficent energy upon the body, and as a consequence, the body is able to let go of the energy that is giving it suffering.
When a dhoti is worn, a Chaitanya is produced all the way around the body as a consequence of the pleats and folds that are located in the back of the garment. Therefore, the individual is protected from the environment that is controlled by Raja and Tama, in addition to the distressing energy that is released by Ptl (the Hell zone), which leads to a reduction in the quantity of distressing energy that is blanketed around the body.
Q6. What is the purpose of dhoti?
It is most commonly used for formal occasions such as weddings and religious ceremonies, yet it is adaptable enough to be worn anywhere. Native Indian males in India frequently wear dhotis as a mark of their lineage and location in the subcontinent. This form of skirt is known as a dhoti. Colors and designs may be combined and matched to suit your tastes. A belt is used to secure the wrap around the wearer's lower abdomen while it is worn. It is common practice to make a pattern out of a single piece of cloth without stitching the parts together. The shape is generally rectangular and made of a single piece of fabric.
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