NEW DELHI, May 18, 2003: India’s working women are all set for an outfit conversion. Though the salwar kameez remains their most-preferred work wear, a strong urge for a shift to Western attire has placed them on the brink of change, according to the responses of 891 participants. Most respondents said they would put on Western wear for the office, but various reasons hold them back from giving up their Indian dresses, according to the fashion trade magazine “Images.” Ethnic salwar kameez, the study claimed, accounted for more than one-third of the total office attire, while the salwar kameez, the sari and the Indo-Western kurta constituted little less than half of the work wear in practice in India. “About 17.5 per cent of working women are therefore on the verge of conversion to Western wear, but may have temporarily held back for various reasons,” it claimed. A dignified look is the top consideration for the Indian woman while selecting office wear at a retail counter and comfort is secondary followed by exclusivity, feminine touch and sexy looks in that order, the study showed. But the typical Indian love for customs and traditions does not seem to be slipping into oblivion as preference for ethnic wear appeared exceptionally strong — around 90 percent during festivals and family occasions.
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