I hail from a city called Madurai (otherwise called as Temple City) which is located in the southern part of Tamil Nadu. It is a very busy city with industries, shops, temples and it is surrounded by lush green paddy fields.
“Fashion is always of the time in which you live. It is not something standing alone. But the grand problem, the most important problem, is to rejuvenate women. To make women look young. Then their outlook changes. They feel more joyous.”
– Coco Chanel
I would like to take you on a journey of the various clothing worn by the girls of this famous ‘Temple City’. During festivals, temple functions and marriages, young girls wear traditional attires like half saree or pattu paavadai (long skirt and tops) adorned with beautiful jhumkas, a chain, bangles/bracelets, rings, and anklets. The hair is usually plaited in a single braid and the famous Madurai jasmine flower is adorned to the braid.
The paavadai or skirt is plain or with a border or with stone works and a matching or border colored blouse is worn along with a pallu in the case of half saree. In the case of pattu paavadai, the same kind of long skirt with a mid-long top is worn. Girls look so homely and beautiful in these attires, that it is just difficult to keep your eyes off them.
The most hilarious (sometimes annoying) moment occurs when parents dress up their daughters in a very traditional manner and bring them to marriage functions thinking that people will notice their daughters and will come to know that they have a girl who is ready for marriage.
Apart from traditional outfits, fashionable attires are slowly making their way into the Temple City. Many branded showrooms have sprouted in the city like mushrooms which were not present even a few years ago. Many famous entrepreneurs such as Ms. Meena Bindra who launched the BIBA line of clothing had recently opened a showroom in Madurai. Many expo-cum-sales of various kinds of clothes and jewelry by designers like ‘Silk Threads’ are organized at galleries. The latest trend is to wear plain tops with pipelining, printed Patiala pant and dupatta along with sandals.
Wearing kurtis with matching leggings or jeans is becoming the hottest trend. Three-fourths pants with fluorescent color tops like yellow, pink, green etc. is also the latest trend.
Wearing a shrug with kurtis or short tops is fast gaining popularity. The shrug is either worn long or short. On the other hand, denim coats, pleated skirts and boots are yet to gain popularity.
Though Madurai is experiencing a trend setting, married women in some households are still not allowed to wear a western outfit which is a very prejudiced aspect, thinking that the society will not respect such women. This aspect or thought has to be changed especially by the mother-in-laws.
I hope in the coming years, Madurai will see more fashionistas and the city’s own designers along with their fashionable clothing line and accessories, who can design clothes for celebrities and become famous worldwide.