The farshi gharara or pajama is a late 17th and early 20th century dress of the privileged classes of Uttar Pradesh. It was worn by royalty in the Muslim courts.  (more…)

Whenever someone asks me this question I am thinking of the color of my outfit. However, many people answer “clothes.” Very funny…but now all jokes aside what type of outfit will you wear and do you think there is any popular color for this Eid or season? Do you prefer saris or salwar kameez? Some believe Eid outfits should be simple and for those believers out there I just have one question…why? What’s wrong with dressing up on our religious holiday?

If fashion means to be someone else then I don’t want to be fashionable. People sometimes ask me why I always do something different from everyone else. Why do I not dress just like everyone else? First of all, I like to be a trend setter not a follower! Now at the same time, these people compliment me on my style as well. Well, which one is it gonna be? Seems some folks just can’t make up their minds. I really don’t care what anyone thinks or says. I believe that although it is important to keep current trends in mind, it is also imperative that those trends don’t go against who you are. Just because something is in style doesn’t mean that you have to follow that very particular trend. Trends come and go and there will always be something in style that you will like but just because everyone else is doing it doesn’t make you obligated to do so. Why should you force yourself to be a hypocrite if it doesn’t even make you happy? Why should you be someone you are not? For fashion’s sake??

These designer churidars and salwars are perfect for any festive occasion and are available at reasonable prices. Customize any one of these in your size. For more information or to place an order please email us at (more…)

I went shopping today. It’s been a while. It was my usual search for anarkalis and saris. Saris I find quite easily because I know where to look and frankly because they are a one-size-fit-all. Anarkalis, on the other hand, are quite the opposite. First you have to find your size. Then it may or may not fit! If you’re short, you’re very less likely to find an anarkali because they are way too long for you. I encounter the same problem. To make it all worse I saw some of the most hideous and ugliest anarkalis on the planet! They were anarkali kurtas, which are supposed to come with churidars, but instead came with pants! Are you kidding me?? Since when did pants come back. They are long gone and I hope they never return. When they were popular I once attended a wedding where the bride wore pants! That was just depressing. Anarkalis are being reinvented. You still see some of the traditional styles but more of the uglier, newer ones. So not trendy!

I’m sitting here wondering why people tend to think that saris are impractical and that they won’t be worn like let’s say for instance salwar kameez. Now this is so not trure. Millions of women in India wear saris every single day and have been doing so for ages. There is nothing more practical and comfortable than a sari. It’s so unique and free flowing. Very versatile in its drapes and styles. Practically available in everything from cotton to silk and everything in between. Then why is it that people say saris are “hard” to wear. Or, that they are uncomfortable. The worst one I hear, is that they’re “reserved” for special occasions. I don’t think so.

Just take pants, for example. The come in many shapes and forms. Just as jeans are for everyday wear and nice slacks for more formal occasions. The same goes for saris. There are formal saris made from pure silk and covered in embroidery and then there are plain cottons. Lately, the sari has really made a comeback. There was a time, some decades ago, when women “ditched” the sari for a more “comfortable” salwar kameez, especially for those women who went to work outside the home. Then of course, came the business suits, even for women in India. Things have changed once again and many women…even in the West, are wearing saris to work! Surprised? Don’t be. Who says saris are immpractical? If you don’t want to wear them that’s one thing but that doesn’t make the outfit itself unsensible!

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Can’t wait for the Arzoo shopping spree next week. We’re going to visit every little nook and crevice of Little India to find the best trends, bargains, deals, and favorable finds. Here’s a little glimpse of what we plan to bring you…

First we would like to check on the status of the anarkali. It seems to still be in but is all that fabric reasonable for summer! Sure, it is if you find the right type. Breezy cotton casuals and sheer chiffons are the best picks. Be sure to look for those on your shopping trip as well.

Of course, we can’t forget how much we love saris! That’s because nothing screams India more than saris. That brings us to a questions we’ve been addressed…why are we shopping in Little India and not India? Well, the answer is quite simple. Arzoo Mag is published right here in the United States. Not everyone can afford the time and money to take a trip to India. We always resort to Little India when in need for a bit of culture. This, however, can be limiting. If you’re city’s Little India is big and abundant then you’re lucky, if it’s small you become even more limited, and if you don’t have one…well then don’t worry there is always the world wide web.

Because Little India can be limiting and small we plan to bring the best of it for you. Where to search, and how to find good deals will be included. It doesn’t matter what city you’re in. The basic guidelines will always remain the same. For example, let’s end with a little tip for those of you going shopping soon…stay away from boutiques…it will save you a lot of money and their variety is very limited. Head straight to the big shops FIRST. They have a lot more variety and choice and lower prices. If you don’t find anything there then the boutiques will come to your rescue. There are two types of boutiques…the really high end expensive ones and the more laid back cheaper ones. I’ve often visited the huge sari stores over pouring with saris, shalwars, and chaniya cholis but to my dismay found nothing I like or in my size. Sometimes the boutique really does come to the rescue. So let it come to your rescue by saving it for last!

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I love to look at Indian clothes online. My favorites are saris, of course! as well as anarkalis and sometimes even lenghas. Though the latter are not very practical for me since I don’t don them often. There are some really beautiful saris available online. The prices can be more or less than you would pay in person and really vary according to site and popularity. However, anarkalis are the hardest. Now if you were looking for a simple salwar kameez or churidar kurta you would require very little effort as there are millions of types and combinations available which can easily be purchased online for a minimal price tag. Anarkalis on the other hand are terribly hard to find. Some are just hideous. Most over priced. If you happen to see or come across any nice anarkalis please let us know!

Most people are under the impression that anarkalis are formal and not intended for everyday wear. Though they can be, due to their elegance, anarkalis are definitely suited for every day of the year. There are a wide range of anarkalis to choose from, whether formal or casual. As far as anarkalis go, I think you best bet will be to purchase them in person. They are almost always difficult to locate online (at least the good ones). You will get even more variety in person. The down side is they tend to run quite a bit long. They are intended this way but it makes it very difficult for short people. If it comes mid-calf on the model, or an average heigh woman, it will probably come down to the ankles on a short person and that’s not how it’s meant to be. My best advice, if you’re short like me, is to buy a shorter anarkali. These are made in the typical style but come only to the knees on most people and will fit perfectly to the mid-calf on anyone who is petite. Therefore, anarkalis are best bought in person where you can try them on, experiment with them, and hopefully get a wide range of choices to pick from!

Saris on the other hand, go either way. Sometimes they’re cheaper online, sometimes in person. Personally, I like to hand pick my saris. I like to feel the texture and try them on. It’s more practical that way because one can’t go by how it will look on the model. Everything looks good on them. If it doesn’t look good on you, accept it and move on to something that does. I hate to see people wearing unsuitable clothes. It just gives off a bad vibe and a terrible impression. If you can, buy your saris in person. Don’t limit yourself. Some really lavish yet inexpensive saris are available online as well. Especially, if you live in an area where there is not any or very limited choice then utilize the help of the internet to get you through all those events.

Lenghas…I strongly suggest purchasing in person. Especially, if it’s for a special occasion. Once again, you can go either way and the choice is totally yours. There are set backs to buying online. If the investment is a pricey one then you’re safer off trying it on first. Some shops have really gorgeous chaniya cholis so if you can get to them then you really should.

Online or Offline? What do you prefer?

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A bride’s trosseau is her collection of clothes and jewelry that she takes with her from her parent’s home to her husband’s. (more…)

The Indian wardrobe is longer just Indian. Let’s face it, we all have a wide collection of Western clothes, accessories, and shoes. (more…)

All we ever here and what instantly comes to mind when we think of weddings is the bride! It is often forgotten that the groom needs some attention as well. (more…)

Anarkalis, also known as the empire-waist, are the latest trend in Indian fashion today. After a long wait, they have made an incredible come back within the last year. (more…)