During the colonial period in India, clothing styles changed significantly under the influence of Western dress and missionary activity. Some Indians, especially men, began incorporating elements of Western-style clothing to show modernity and progress. Wealthy Parsis were early adaptors of Western styles like baggy trousers, hats, and coats. Western clothing was also attractive to Dalit Christians who found it liberating. For many, cloth and clothing became symbols of Indian national identity and indigenous culture during this time.

1. Social Science
History
Charmi
Doshi
9A

2. Clothing

3. During the colonial period there were significant
changes in male and female clothing in India.
This was a consequence of the influence of
Western dress forms and missionary activity.
It was also due to the effort by Indians to fashion
clothing styles that embodied an indigenous
tradition and culture.
Cloth and clothing infact became very important
symbols of the national movement.

4. Many, especially men, began incorporating some
elements of western-style clothing in their
dress. The wealthy Parsis of western India
were among the first to adapt Western-style
clothing.

5. Baggy trousers and the phenta
(or hat) were added to long
collarless coats, with boots and a
walking stick to complete the
look of the gentleman.
To some, Western clothes were a
sign of modernity and progress.

7. Western-style clothing was
also especially attractive to
groups of dalit converts to
Christianity who now found it
liberating.
Here too, it was men rather
than women who affected the
new dress styles.