The Mughal era of the Indo-Pak subcontinent is one of the most popular eras of all the time. The royal culture, the style, the magnificence and the ways in which Mughal emperors and their women carried their life was very famous and is still admired and looked upon. Anarkali dress acquired its name from the courtesan who used to be present in the court of Mughal emperor, Badshah Akbar. It is widely rumored that the son, Jehangir, and Anarkali loved each other and wanted to be together, but Badshah Akbar did not comply to this alliance and had Anarkali buried amidst two walls. The authenticity of this myth is debatable but the beauty and love for Anarkali and her story that had inspired many films, theatre, songs and most importantly, the Anarkali dress can hardly be neglected.
The Anarkali, also known as the Anarkali dress has its name in the Urdu language that means pomegranate blossom. The Anarkali dress resembles the pomegranate as it is a gracious and magnificent attire. It might have arisen as a special suit since the time of the Mughals, but it has not since been gone from the wardrobes of women as it is a forever classic. Bollywood divas like Madhuri Dixit and Aishwarya Rai Bachan have adorned themselves on numerous events with the enchanting Anarkali dress and made it even more special.
Style of the Anarkali attire: Anarkali is a dress like a garment and it consists of a long (sometimes short) frock. This frock is not an ordinary one because it has all the features that make the wearer look stunning. The bodice of Anarkali is fitted till the chest region and is cinched just below the chest from where it is widely loosened and flows exhibiting a scene just like that of a blooming flower. The frock’s length usually falls till the knee but can be longer as well.
Some features of the Anarkali dress are listed below:
- Suits women of all physiques: the Anarkali has such a style that suits women with a slim or a heavy physique body, both. It won’t make the wearer look slimmer or heavier but will give an altogether royal look owing to its classic design and flowery silhouette. Whether you are tall or short, this dress will compliment your body in a grand way.
- Camouflages the middle portion: It is not a secret that the middle portion of the belly is often not in shape and when you wear formal, fitted dresses, it may make you look a bit out of shape. But the Anarkali dress has such a design that it is fitted only in the chest region and has a loosely fitted flow that will camouflage your middle portion and you won’t have to worry about your belly.
- Ability to enhance the feminine look: this gorgeous dress compliments the woman’s body and enhance their looks. Hence, they can wear it on special occasions and grace their look.
- Indo-western touch in Anarkali: some might consider the Anarkali dress as a totally traditional, Indian dress but it has an affinity for being western as well. It has a long flowing bottom, with a fitted top that will give it a dress like a look.
- Variation of shalwar kameez: Shalwar kameez is the national attire of Pakistan. The Anarkali is considered by many women as a variation of shalwar kameez. It is long just like that and can be comfortably worn by women. It also comes with a dupatta and that is also present with the shalwar kameez.
Anarkali dress’ growing popularity in Europe and United States
The Anarkali dress is very popular in India and Pakistan but simultaneously it is very popular in Europe and the United States. Whenever Europeans think of carrying a traditional look, they always consider the Anarkali. Its royal, traditional look is very captivating and its growing very popular among those people as well. This is also because of the Indo-western touch in the Anarkali, making it up for wearing by both the people.
Beautiful dress to be carried as a maternity dress
The dress is loose fitted and can be worn by pregnant women. It will not only look good on them to be carried out on functions and special occasions. But will also be highly comfortable and feasible. It can be worn in the days when loose dresses are needed owing to the pregnancy. Hence, it provides the women with a great option of these beautiful and enchanting Anarkali dresses.
The fame of Anarkali and its online marketing
The days have gone when you had to buy a dress and the only option you had was to physically visit the store and purchase the desired stuff. Now you can sit at home and at the distance of a touch, you can buy whatever you need. The growing popularity and the fact that Anarkali is an unsurpassed attire, it is obvious that it the online outlets are all over the internet that sells the dress and facilitate people with its presence. Even the people located out of the subcontinent can place their orders and purchase the enthralling Anarkali to be worn and adorn them on their special occasions. There are a lot of sites that sell these dresses and ship them as well, Amazon being one of them and probably the best known.
Some online retailers that sell Anarkali dresses are listed below:
Lashkaraa (lashkaraa.com)
Lashkaraa is an online Indian retailer that has Anarkali dresses in an abundant variety that are ready to be shipped to United States customers. It enables the customers living far from the subcontinent to enjoy Indian clothing and traditional dressing that they might prefer in their enjoyable occasions and dedicated events.
- Traditional: Lashkaraa offers a variety of Anarkali dress designs, from short length as well as long Anarkali dresses proposing a traditional sense of style.
- Modern fusion Anarkali: the traditional Anarkali is fused with many up to date trends making it even more stylish and admirable. One such addition to the existing beauty of Anarkali is the “pant style Anarkali” which is highly demanded by the customers. Jacket style Anarkali, hip and unique asymmetrical Anarkali Etc. are some of the modern variations in the traditional Anarkali.
- Every size fit: the online site of Lashkaraa offers the customers several sizes so that they can ensure a perfect fit.it will be highly appreciated by the customers as they will be aided by this.
- Diwali promise sale: the sale offers a beautiful range of Anarkali dresses on which there is a flat, ten percent discount. This reduces the price to a significant and the customer can get the desires to dress at a suitable price. Diwali is an auspicious event for Hindus and owing to it, the sale comes in.
Biba (biba.in)
Biba stores offer a wide range of colorful and magnificent Anarkali dresses. They have the online page that provides the customers the possibility to book, mark and pay for their purchases. The shipping of cargo is free stating that the dresses bought by the customers will be delivered to them free of charge.
- Ripples and flowy Anarkali dresses: The royal look of the Anarkali dresses is played significantly by the flow it makes and the ripples that follow. To gain this perfection, the Anarkali dresses must be perfectly stitched. BIBA provides well-stitched, elegant dresses that will be a delight to be worn by the wearer. You can see a lot of models in Anarkali dress images on the website.
- Flared Anarkali kurta: Very beautiful looking flared Anarkali kurtas are trending nowadays and you can choose the pattern that you like most. Even neutral colors such as black and white are available.
- Diversity: Net Anarkali kurta, silk Anarkali kurta, sleeveless Anarkali kurta, chiffon and georgette Anarkali kurta, asymmetrical Anarkali kurta etc are all types offered at BIBA online platforms.
- Security payment: To ensure an ensured payment, the online page also provides this option.
Flipkart (flipkart.com)
Flipkart provides a wide range of these beautiful Anarkali dresses that are comfortable, desirable, traditional and a delight to wear. It has the online shop that gives a specific rating to each of the dress present there. It will give an insight to the customer as to how much the previous buyers have liked a dress. A sale is also there which waves of a significant amount and reduces a dress’s price to an affordable range.
Utsav Fashion (utsavfashion.com)
This online shopping retailer also provides Anarkali dresses in a lot of ranges. The embroidery onto the dresses is varied on all these suits can be chosen according to the preference of the customer. There is twenty-five percent off at the shipping costs and exhibits a few sales that are present onto the page.
Zipker (zipker.com)
Zipker offers a variety of Anarkali dresses and gowns that will be adored by the customers. An account can be made onto the page of this website and each customer can have a record of their purchases as well as the new collection the site has to offer. Anarkali dress online shopping is made really easy.
Myntra (myntra.com)
Myntra offers a range of Anarkali dresses that are affordable and can be bought by people easily without burning a hole in their pocket. The site provides gift cards, tracking options and the customers can place their orders in there to ensure their purchases.
To conclude
The Anarkali dress is an ongoing sensation where it only becomes more popular by the day and not once has it been neglected. Its beauty is immense and the cultural and traditional look it imparts to the wearer is impeccable.