Across the UK, fashion isn’t just what you wear, it’s who you are. For generations of South Asians living in Britain, clothes have never been just about style. They carry memory, faith, resistance, and pride. And today, as cultural symbols become high-street trends, a deeper conversation is unfolding: who gets to wear what and why?
Items like bindis, henna, and even Kolhapuri chappals are making appearances in Western fashion circles, often rebranded without reference to their roots. A Scandinavian designer might release a sheer neck scarf draped across the shoulders or head, but to South Asians, that’s unmistakably a dupatta.
“We’ve been wearing dupattas for generations across the head, over the neck, pinned on shoulders. Now it’s sold in fashion magazines as ‘elevated minimalism’ or ‘Euro-silk.’ It’s not new. It’s South Asian,” said a man from the UK.
Another young woman pointed out how Western designers have styled dresses with flowing scarves, mimicking the look of a dupatta or pallu. “People think it’s some runway innovation. But it’s what our mums wore to weddings in the ’80s.”
That cultural erasure when deep-rooted traditions are borrowed without context isn’t just offensive, it’s painful. As one Naqabi woman explained: “When white models wear headscarves, it’s seen as artistic. But when I wear my niqab, people say I look like a letterbox. There’s a double standard that’s hard to ignore.”
It’s not just about clothing, either. The Kadha, a steel bangle traditionally worn by Sikhs as a symbol of faith, has shown up in luxury lookbooks as a “statement cuff.” Crosses have become earrings. Bindis are now “festival gems.” Henna is sold as a “temporary tattoo kit.” “It’s not just aesthetic, it’s faith, culture, ancestry,” one woman said. “There’s a line between appreciation and disrespect.”
Prada released sandals almost identical to Kolhapuri chappals, while Dior has incorporated South Asian-style floral block prints into its collections. Meanwhile, Kim Kardashian once wore a full-face headscarf at Paris Fashion Week, a look that drew praise from fashion critics but would provoke backlash if worn by a Muslim woman walking down any high street in Britain.
Yet within the South Asian community, the story is different. There’s pride in the cultural weight of these garments. A mother said of her son: “He wore a sherwani with sneakers for prom. He said, ‘Mum, this is me.’ That meant the world to me.” Another young man added, “I wore a kurta with my trainers on Eid, and everyone loved it. That’s my identity, not split, but side by side.”
Others speak about the joy of mixing styles. “I wear jhumkas with jeans. It makes me feel powerful, feminine, and connected,” said one woman. “Traditional jewellery on skirts and T-shirts, that’s my style.” Kashmiri shawls draped over tracksuits, open abayas layered with tops and jeans, these looks are bold, expressive, and unapologetically South Asian.
Indian classical musician Rishab Sharma, known for his electrifying sitar performances across the UK, has also become a style symbol in his own right. Often spotted with henna designs on his hands, diamond studs, and traditional Indian menswear with a twist, Rishab is reshaping how masculinity and cultural expression coexist. For many, seeing a male artist confidently wearing henna challenges stereotypes and shows that tradition belongs to everyone, not just in the past, and not just in the home.
Still, for many South Asians in Britain, tradition remains unshaken. “My mum wears salwar suits every day. She could wear jeans, but she chooses not to,” one young woman shared. “That makes me respect her even more. No matter where she is, she holds onto her roots.”
While fusion fashion thrives on the street, the upcoming South Asian Fashion Show during the Food & Lifestyle Mela will turn the spotlight to heritage. On Saturday, July 20, a ticketed fashion show (£10) will take place at Lister Park, showcasing traditional South Asian clothing only from regal sherwanis to intricate lehengas, sarees to salwar kameez. It’s a celebration of heritage, craft, and cultural pride, not reinterpretation.
As one leading South Asian fashion house, Andaaz Fashion UK, puts it:
“South Asian fashion isn’t just about heritage, it’s about identity, confidence, and global expression.”
In a time when fashion too often forgets where it came from, this show will ground it. For those unfamiliar with South Asian style or those reconnecting with it, the event offers a chance to see these garments for what they are: powerful expressions of history, community, and self.
This isn’t just about recognising threads and silhouettes. It’s about honouring the people who have kept them alive. Across the UK, South Asians are doing just that, wearing culture with clarity, confidence, and care.
So next time you see a beaded scarf on the catwalk, a bindi in a music video, or a hammered silver bangle on a model, ask yourself: do you know where it comes from?
South Asians do.
Glossary
Dupatta
A long, light scarf or shawl traditionally worn by South Asian women over the shoulders, head, or chest. It is often paired with a salwar kameez or lehenga and can be plain or richly embroidered.
Pallu
The end portion of a saree that is draped over the shoulder. Often the most decorative part of the saree, it features intricate embroidery or embellishments and is styled in various regional ways.
Bindi
A small decorative dot or jewel worn on the forehead, traditionally by South Asian women. While rooted in spiritual significance, especially in Hinduism, it is also worn as an accessory.
Henna (Mehndi)
A natural dye used to create temporary body art, typically on hands and feet, especially during weddings and festivals. The intricate designs are part of longstanding cultural and ceremonial traditions.
Kolhapuri Chappals
Handcrafted leather sandals originating from Kolhapur, Maharashtra. Known for their durability and distinctive traditional design, they are worn casually and at cultural events.
Kadha (or Kara)
A steel or iron bracelet worn by Sikhs as a symbol of faith and commitment. It is one of the five articles of faith in Sikhism and represents strength and unity.
Salwar Kameez
A traditional outfit consisting of a long tunic (kameez) and loose trousers (salwar), often paired with a dupatta. Common across South Asia, it is worn in both everyday and formal contexts.
Sherwani
A long, formal coat-like garment worn by men, especially during weddings and celebrations. Often richly embroidered, it is paired with a kurta and fitted trousers.
Lehenga
A traditional full-length skirt is usually worn with a cropped blouse (choli) and a dupatta. Often heavily embellished, lehengas are popular choices for weddings and festive occasions.
Jhumkas
Ornate, bell-shaped earrings are popular in South Asian jewellery. They vary in size and are worn with both traditional and modern outfits.
Abaya
A loose, full-length outer garment worn by some Muslim women. In South Asian fashion, open abayas are often styled with jeans, tops, or traditional wear underneath.
Niqab
A face veil worn by some Muslim women that covers the lower face, leaving the eyes visible. It is worn for religious and cultural reasons and is often misunderstood in Western discourse.
Kurta
A straight-cut, collarless shirt worn by men and women in South Asia. Kurtas can be simple or elaborately designed and are often styled today with jeans or sneakers for a modern look.
Sitār
A traditional Indian string instrument known for its deep, resonant sound. Prominent in classical music, it has also found its way into global fusion styles.
