What Clothing Reveals About South Asian Culture

Clifford Geertz explained in The Interpretation of Cultures that culture is "a system of inherited conceptions expressed in symbolic forms." Few symbols are as visible as the clothes people wear. For South Asians, clothing is a cultural language—it expresses identity, social norms, relationships, and more. Just the color of a woman’s outfit, the embroidery on the cloth, or the draping of a shawl can reveal details about her age, marital status, and family origins. Anthropologists view clothing as material culture, defined as physical objects, artifacts, and architecture that shape or reflect the cultural practices and social relationships of a society. South Asian clothing reveals insights into broader themes such as caste, gender, colonialism, religion, and globalization. 

South Asian culture is incredibly diverse, with over 650 languages spoken in the region today. This diversity is reflected not just in speech but in the garments and jewelry people wear. Many are familiar with the sari as one of South Asia’s most iconic styles of clothing, but there are over 100 distinct styles of saris. A woman wearing a Jamdani sari is likely from Bangladesh, while one wearing a Baluchari sari is probably from West Bengal, India. These two regions were part of the same country less than a century ago and still share a language and cuisine—yet their clothing remains distinct. This cultural variety has made clothing a key indicator of one's background. Women in South Asia often wear head coverings—ghoonghats among Rajasthani women, hijabs among Muslim women, and dupattas across much of the region. Religion is also visible through clothing: Sikh men wear distinctive turbans, while Hindus often wear specific ornaments. Clothing not only represents individual identity but also serves broader cultural and social purposes.

South Asia has long played a vital role in the global garment and textile industry. Bangladesh and India, in particular, are known for their high-quality textiles such as cotton, muslin, and silk. During colonial rule, Britain sought to control this industry to fuel its own industrialization. British policies devastated South Asia’s handloom sector. Cotton was grown in South Asia, shipped to Britain for manufacturing, and then sold back to South Asia at inflated prices. This fueled Britain’s industrial revolution while undermining traditional South Asian production. Gandhi’s Khadi movement transformed fabric into a symbol of resistance. Although the movement later faced criticism for reinforcing caste hierarchies and elitism, it was a significant act of political defiance. Clothing has also been used by marginalized communities to demand rights. The Channar Revolt in 19th-century Kerala, for example, was led by Dalit women fighting for their right to cover their upper bodies. Today, clothing continues to challenge social norms—members of the South Asian queer community, such as the Hijras, use clothing to resist conservative gender expectations.

For South Asians, clothing is a powerful way to express identity, heritage, and beliefs. Through their attire, individuals convey kinship, resist injustice, preserve tradition, and reimagine society. For cultural anthropologists, clothing serves as a rich resource for understanding the values and structures of South Asian society.