Category Archives: late 20th century

The 90s Post – Aaina

During the lockdown I decided to watch my aunt’s favourite film, Aaina (1993). Normally I don’t review classic Bollywood because it doesn’t aim for authenticity as much as novelty and visual spectacle. With the caveat of course that often “filmi” … Continue reading

Posted in 1990s, 20th century, Accessories, Actor, bindi, churidar kameez, churidar kurta, Cinema, clothing, colour, costume design, Costumes in Cinema, dupatta, fashion, film costumes, Film Costuming, Hindi cinema, Indian Cinema, Indian fashion, Indian Women, late 20th century, retro, retro cinema, retro fashion, Salwar Kameez, Sari, Sari Blouse | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

The Polka Dot Post

Today let’s look at Rekha’s commitment to the polka dot – with a side serving of leheria (diagonal stripes or literally waves)! As with Vijeta, the look is very consistent, bar a “dream sequence” and a wedding. The movie: 1982’s … Continue reading

Posted in 1980s, 20th century, Accessories, Actor, Cinema, clothing, colour, costume design, Costumes in Cinema, fashion, film costumes, Film Costuming, Hindi cinema, Indian Actors, Indian Cinema, Indian Costume, Indian fashion, indian style, Indian Women, late 20th century, retro cinema, retro fashion, Sari, Sari Blouse, Vintage, Vintage Blouse, vintage fashion, vintage sari, Working Women | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

1980s Indian wear for men

Though Indian attire has not been common for men, especially the middle and upper classes, post Independence, it is pretty much de rigeur for male politicians.  Usually this is varying permutations and combinations of the kurta/achkan/jacket/dhoti with regional variants (e.g. … Continue reading

Posted in 1980s, 20th century, clothing, Culture, fashion, Indian Dress, Indian History, Indian men, indian style, late 20th century, Photography, Politicians, Politics, shawls, Vintage Dress | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Folk Jewellery of Pakistan

Folk jewellery of Pakistan, 1973 PIA Calendar. The link for the last postcard is unavailable but from the bandhani dupatta and mirrorwork suggests Sindh.  For pics 1 to 3, the captions are as follows: 1. The punjangla has a ring for … Continue reading

Posted in 1970s, 2017 posts, Culture, fashion, Folk, Jewellery, late 20th century, Pakistan, Tribal, Vintage, vintage jewellery, vintage style | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Sparsh (1980) deconstructed

Just 4 years separate Kadambari and Sparsh but the former is firmly rooted in 70s styles while Sparsh gives a glimpse of the styles of the early 80s with barely a hint of the 70s.  So let’s look at what … Continue reading

Posted in 1980s, 2017 posts, Actor, arthouse, Cinema, Costumes in Cinema, fashion, film costumes, Film Costuming, Hairstyles, handlooms, Indian Actors, Indian Aesthetics, Indian Cinema, Indian fashion, Indian Textiles, Indian Women, late 20th century, Men, retro cinema, retro fashion, Salwar Kameez, Sari, Sari Blouse, sari history, Sets, Vintage, vintage cinema, vintage costume, vintage sari, vintage style, winterwear, Working Women | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

In the 70s

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. Rehana … Continue reading

Posted in 1970s, 2017 posts, Indian Aesthetics, Indian Costume, Indian Dress, Indian fashion, indian style, Indian Textiles, Indian Women, late 20th century, retro, retro fashion, Salwar Kameez, Sari, Sari Blouse, Vintage, vintage fashion, vintage sari, vintage style, Women | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Everything that Shabana Azmi wore in Kadambari (1976)

With a side helping of her co-stars. Screencaps from the uploaded youtube film. Few actresses carry the 70s/80s look better than Shabana Azmi.  Plus she (and the costume designer) create a consistent look for the entire film, a costume capsule … Continue reading

Posted in 1970s, 2017 posts, Accessories, Actor, bindi, Cinema, Indian Dress, Indian fashion, Indian Tales, Indian Textiles, Indian Women, late 20th century, Movies, Prints, retro, retro cinema, retro fashion, retro hair, Salwar Kameez, Sari, Sari Blouse, Vintage, Vintage Blouse, vintage cinema, vintage fashion, vintage sari, vintage style, Working Women | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

80s/90s Redux 2

“Filmy” fashions are quite often confined to film (and rightfully so!) but in the case of some of the late 80s/90s fashion here, these were actual trends that I can remember. The late 80s had a lot of geometric patterns … Continue reading

Posted in 1980s, 1990s, 2017 posts, Bollywood, churidar kameez, churidar kurta, Costumes in Cinema, fashion, Indian Dress, Indian fashion, Indian Women, late 20th century, Movies, retro, retro cinema, retro fashion, retro hair, salwar, Salwar Kameez, Sari, Sari Blouse | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

80s/90s Redux 1

Mostly Rekha’s specracktular headgear. I feel like in the 80s/90s she ordered up all the headgear she could lay her hands on, luckily this has been documented for posterity. About 50% of the headgear seems to be Russian Czarina meets … Continue reading

Posted in 1990s, 2017 posts, Cinema, Costumes in Cinema, fashion, Film Costuming, headgear, Indian Actors, Indian Women, late 20th century, Movies, retro | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The 90s Post

Renuka Shahane’s 90s ethnic-chic (perhaps more properly indie/alt chic?) for Surabhi was an updated version of the handlooms and blouses of the 80s. With a LOT of oxidised silver jewellery and probably one of the best examples of short hair … Continue reading

Posted in 1990s, 20th century, Actor, fashion, Hair, Hairstyles, Indian Aesthetics, Indian Textiles, Indian Women, Jewellery, late 20th century, retro, retro fashion, retro hair, Retro television, Sari, Sari Blouse, sari history, Television | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment