The relaxed fashion of the 70s. Lungis, Maxis, Prints and more.

Worn with a short kurta. Accesorised with a choker, bindi and watch.


In the 70s : Kaftans, Halters, Maxis and Pant suits.
Via : X, X and X.
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Rehana Sultan. (click for larger view).
From the photograph I can’t quite say if it is a lehenga/sharara/gharara but it is worn with a short tunic and dupatta and the stripes are reminiscent of Awadhi costumes.
Dupatta detail below. The shaped eyebrows and curled hair are quite 70s.
PTV Karachi, Zaheen Tahira, Zeenat Yasmin and Khurshid Talat in 1971
There’s a little bit of everything here, sari with a sleeveless blouse (the 60s carried over for a bit), perhaps a gharara, embroidered and spangled trousers (name?), perhaps a salwar with a short kurta.
See also X and X.
Plucked eyebrows and hoop earrings.

In my opinion the sari is elegant in a very easy way in this decade. Very no fuss, hardly any pinning, tucking of loose ends etc and just a drape that flows well. The brief blouses hark back to the choli but the matching blouse and light fabric make it of the time and an unobtrusive complement to the sari.
Rather obviously the decade loved prints and textile brands seem to have offered every hue and design. As Femina copy of the time says, “It’s print that makes a colour come alive, that stamps a character on a fabric.” Plenty of voiles – which contribute to the easy-breezy, low maintenance look of the time – but also polyesters and cottons.
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About Anu M
A potted history of Indian clothing and fashion.
I love your research, but perhaps you can include other South Asian countries as well (such as Pakistan…Parchaiyan 1976 is an interesting drama depicting various saree forms of the time).
Hi thanks for the appreciation. I do occasional posts on South Asia but perhaps there are more on tumblr. For e.g. PIA costumes and a little bit on 80s costumes. One of the problems is that I have don’t have a “lived” experience of the fashions. As an example, while dramas like Parchayin, Tanhaiyan, Ankahee etc were available in India, contemporary Indian styles were quite different. It’s the same with contemporary fashion. In fact it would be great if there was a blog dedicated to vintage styles in specific countrie by folk who are familiar with the decades, it would answer some of my own Qs when I see photographs:)