Indian-Trend: 5 Ways That Indian Fashion Has Charmed America

Jeff Norman is a guest blogger for My Dog Ate My Blog and a writer for the Guide to Online Schools. Check out their list of online schools.

After the release of "Slumdog Millionaire" and the subsequent thunderstorm of popularity that it brought on, it seems as if the United States are more receptive than ever to the energetic and zesty hallmarks of Indian culture. Never has chicken tikka masala been so uproariously consumed stateside. Besides the country's cuisine, India has also made a huge impact on the styles that Americans have embraced. Here's a look at the five biggest fashion booms provided by New Delhi and elsewhere.

The stellar sari. Women in India cite the sari as their traditional garment of choice. And it's easy to understand why the sari has become so standard in Indian styling: It can be both vivid and variable. Essentially a well-sized length of colored and designed cotton, the sari encircles any form with class and lends a sense of earthy elegance to its wearer.

The choli. This garment frequently accompanies the sari, and is a short blouse that fits the form snugly when worn underneath it. The choli-sari duo has been acclaimed since as far back as the 10th century. Back then, it allegedly only caressed a woman's bosom, but contemporary versions provide complete coverage.

The allure of the saree. With "Slumdog" and the following Bollywood boom came an increase in attention to the drapable saree. It's the flowing mass of beautiful fabric you see lingering in the air during Bollywood dance routines. The saree can be configured to hug a lady's body snugly or loosely, depending on her mood.

The salwar-kameez. The ladies living in Kashimir and Punjab, two regions of India, were well known for exploiting the super-classic stylings of this dress. Salwar, that first word, can be thought of as a pajama that hugs the waist and the ankles; the kameez is the tunic worn over the salwar.

What about the boys? All four of these previous trends have been focused on the ladies. But that's not to say that American men remain averse to the Indian fashion's effective wiles. For guys, it seems like the bundgala has been assimilating very well -- it's a type of waistcoat that's been seen to influence the shape and length of men's winter clothing recently. Also popular for men is the combination of kurta and churidar. The kurta, a collarless shirt, and churidar, the traditional Indian pant, lend instant seriousness, yet breezy calm as well, to any man's wardrobe.