Women's Ethnic Dresses

What counts as an ethnic dress?

An ethnic dress is a one-piece outfit inspired by Indian prints, patterns and embroidery. You may find block prints, floral motifs, bandhani, ikat, schiffli, mirror work or thread embroidery, depending on the style.

Unlike a kurta set, you do not need to put together a separate bottom or dupatta. You simply put on the dress and you are ready to go.

This is what makes ethnic dresses an easy choice when you want an Indian-inspired look without spending too much time putting an outfit together.

Ethnic dress vs. kurta vs. anarkali vs. lehenga

If you want something comfortable that you can wear for several hours, an ethnic dress is an easy option. For occasions where dressing up is a bigger part of the event, an anarkali or lehenga may be more suitable.

Choosing an ethnic dress by occasion

For the office. Look for printed viscose dresses in a below-knee or calf length. Three-quarter and short sleeves tend to work well for a professional setting, while round and square necklines give a more understated look.

For daytime functions Mehendi, haldi, naming ceremonies and other daytime celebrations are a good opportunity to wear brighter colours and more relaxed silhouettes.

Strappy, halter and tiered dresses can work particularly well for these occasions. Tiered dresses are also comfortable when you are sitting for long periods, while lightweight fabrics such as viscose are easier to wear in warm weather.

Yellow, orange, green and pink are all good choices if you want something that feels festive during the day.

For evening functions and sangeet. For evening occasions, look beyond simple prints and consider embroidered or embellished styles. Darker shades such as maroon, deep green, navy and black can also work well for evening events, especially when you want a slightly dressier look.

For everyday and casual. Keep things simple with solid colours or smaller prints. Knee-length and below-knee dresses with short or elbow-length sleeves are easy to wear for errands, casual outings and everyday plans.

For travel. If you are packing for a trip, polyester and polyester-blend dresses are worth considering. They are less prone to wrinkling and generally hold their shape well after being packed.

Choosing by fabric

• Viscose and viscose blend Ethnic Dress: Viscose is one of the most versatile choices for an ethnic dress. It has a soft drape and works particularly well with printed styles. It is also comfortable in warm weather, which makes it a useful option for everyday wear in India.

For better longevity, wash viscose in cold water, avoid wringing it and dry it away from direct sunlight.

• Cotton Ethnic Dress: Cotton is a good choice for hot weather and everyday wear because it is breathable and comfortable against the skin. The trade-off is that cotton can crease more easily, so it may need a little extra ironing.
• Polyester and polyester blend Ethnic Dress: Holds shape, resists wrinkles, survives travel and repeat wear. The correct choice for a dress you will wear thirty times, not three.

Choosing by neckline, sleeve and length

Neckline. The neckline can change the whole feel of a dress. Square necklines are a versatile choice, especially if you want to make the shoulders look a little broader or create the appearance of a longer neck. They also work well with a simple chain or no jewellery at all. Round necks have a more understated look, making them suitable for conservative settings and the workplace, while a V-neck can help create a longer, more streamlined silhouette.

Sleeve. Sleeveless and strappy styles work well for summer and are easy to layer with a shrug or short jacket, allowing the same dress to suit different occasions. Three-quarter sleeves offer more coverage while remaining versatile for work, everyday wear and family occasions, while short and elbow-length sleeves sit comfortably between the two.

Length. Below-knee and calf-length dresses are the most versatile, offering enough coverage for work and family occasions while remaining easy to move in. Knee-length styles feel more casual and youthful, while full-length and ankle-length dresses have a dressier feel and work better for evenings and celebrations.

Care: so it survives more than one season

• Viscose: cold hand-wash or a gentle machine cycle, inside out. Never wring - press the water out flat in a towel. Dry in shade; direct sun fades printed viscose fast.
• Cotton: machine wash cold, first wash separately as prints can bleed. Iron while slightly damp.
• Polyester: machine wash cold, tumble dry low or hang. Low iron only - high heat glazes the fabric permanently and it cannot be undone.
• Embroidered and embellished: turn inside out before washing, or dry clean. Never iron directly over the work - press from the reverse with a cloth in between.
• Tiered styles: hang to dry rather than folding wet. Folding sets creases into the gathers that are difficult to press out.
• Storage: hang anything with structure or embroidery. Fold viscose - hangers stretch the shoulder over time.

What ethnic dresses cost at Style Union

This collection runs from Rs 399 to Rs 1,499. Most of it sits under Rs 999, which puts a printed ethnic dress at roughly the price of a plain kurta elsewhere - and unlike the kurta, you do not then need to buy a bottom and a dupatta to wear it.