Floor length “anarkalis” (no doubt known by a different name) can be spotted in 18th century/19th century paintings.  The girl here is obviously dressed in her best, teaming it with a gold edged dupatta, jewellery and red and gold jootis. This was probably teamed with tight trousers underneath, they can sometimes be seen when the tunic is translucent. This is quite similar to styles today, including the long net/chiffon sleeves that are seen today.

I was at a store recently and the man there informed me that the anarkali trend is about 7 years old and still popular.  A few recent examples – [X] [X]

A floor length variant was worn by men too, as in another painting by Zoffany.

Serving Maid, Goa, 1880s.

There are a number of 19th century versions of the “sari” which are more like the half-sari or the ghaghra-choli. More than a few modern interpretations of the sari, including the lehenga sari, rely on variations of this kind of attire. Some do away with the pleats, some retain them.

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