The Indus Valley Civilization, also known as the Harappan Civilization, was an ancient urban

civilization that thrived around 2600 to 1900 BCE in what is now modern-day Pakistan,
northwest India, and parts of Afghanistan. It was characterized by advanced urban planning,
with well-organized cities like Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro. The society was primarily agrarian,
engaged in trade, and had a script that remained undeciphered. While its exact decline remains
a subject of debate, the legacy of the Indus Valley Civilization continues to influence the Indian
subcontinent's cultural heritage.
The clothing of the Indus Valley Civilization reflected their advanced society. Garments were
primarily made from materials like cotton and wool Men typically wore knee-length tunics,
while women's attire included draped dresses, long skirts, blouses, and skirts. Clothes were
often dyed in various colors, and some evidence suggests the use of jewelry and accessories.
Some evidence suggests the use of shawls or drapes. Intriguingly, pottery and seals from this
civilization depict intricate patterns, possibly reflecting the textiles' design. The level of
sophistication in clothing design and production indicates a society with a well-developed textile
industry. Clothing was likely functional and comfortable in the region's warm climate, with an
emphasis on practicality over ornamentation.

The clothing, footwear, and accessories of the Indus Valley Civilization (around 3300–1300 BCE)
were influenced by the geographical and climatic conditions of the region. Keep in mind that
our knowledge about this ancient civilization is based on archaeological findings, so there may
be some gaps in our understanding. Here's what is known:
Clothing:

 Men: Men typically wore a garment that resembled a dhoti or a wrapped skirt. This was
a piece of cloth wrapped around the waist and passed between the legs. Some
depictions also show men wearing a kind of shawl or cloth draped over one shoulder.
 Women: Women likely wore a more elaborate form of clothing. This could have included
a skirt, possibly with an upper garment like a blouse or shawl. Some artifacts suggest
that women might have also worn jewelry or accessories around their waist.
 Material: Clothing was primarily made from cotton, which was cultivated in the region.
Evidence of wool has also been found, indicating that it was used, though not as
extensively as cotton.
 Dyes: Archaeological findings suggest that a range of natural dyes were used, including
indigo for blue and madder for red.
 Fabrics: The people of the Indus Valley Civilization were skilled weavers. They produced
a variety of fabrics including cotton, which was one of the earliest regions where cotton
was cultivated and woven.
  Styles: Both men and women likely wore draped garments. Men might have worn a cloth
wrapped around the waist, resembling a dhoti, while women probably wore a skirt-like
garment.
 Jewelry and Ornaments: Various pieces of jewelry, such as necklaces, bracelets, and
earrings, were an integral part of their attire. This is evident from the numerous jewelry
items found in archaeological sites.

Footwear:

 Sandals: Simple sandals made of leather or plant materials were common. These were
usually open-toed and had a basic design.
 Barefoot: It's also believed that many people went barefoot, especially in the warmer
months.
Accessories:

 Jewelry: Both men and women adorned themselves with various forms of jewelry. This
included necklaces, bangles, bracelets, earrings, and rings. The materials used included
gold, silver, copper, and semi-precious stones like carnelian and turquoise.
 Head Ornaments: Some statues and figurines from the period depict individuals wearing
headbands or other head ornaments.
 Girdles and Belts: These were likely used both for functional and decorative purposes.
 Personal Ornaments: Various types of personal ornaments have been discovered,
including beads, pendants, and amulets.
Remember, our understanding of the Indus Valley Civilization is based on archaeological
evidence, and there are still many aspects of their clothing, footwear, and accessories that
remain uncertain or undiscovered. Additionally, it's important to note that fashion and styles
may have varied within the diverse population of this ancient civilization.

Influences: The clothing styles and materials could have been influenced by interactions with
neighboring cultures and trade partners.
Evolution: The clothing and footwear of the Indus Valley Civilization likely evolved, and there
might have been regional variations.

The Indus Valley civilization is one of the oldest civilizations and co-existed
with Mesopotamia about 5,000 years back. Its remains were accidentally
found in the 1920s in modern-day India/Pakistan during the construction of a
rail route and excavations were carried out leading to the discovery of an era
that had been buried under the ground for over a thousand years.

This society thrived for 2000 years and had advanced city planning with wide
roads, street lights, and a huge bathhouse. The cities of Harappa and
Mohenjo-Daro are two important cities from the Indus valley and their beauty
and fashion regimen is also known through sculptures and seals.

CLOTHES

The figurines and sculptures preserved from the Indus Valley civilization
were usually unclothed so it is difficult to figure out what sort of clothing
people wore in those times.

Evidence suggests that the clothing was usually made of wool and cotton.
Animal skin might have been used to ward off the cold. A fragment of cotton
fabric found had been dyed red with madder but indigo (for blue dye) and
turmeric (for yellow dye) could have been used.

Trading with Mesopotamia might have gotten them an abundance of woolen

textiles but it is unknown whether woolly sheep were raised in the Indus
Valley. Native Indian silkworms might have been used to make silk (which is
inferior to Chinese silk).

Women and men both wore an upper garment that included a cloth draped
over one shoulder and tucked underneath the arm on the opposite side. Men
wore a primitive version of the dhoti and women wore knee-length skirts as
lower garments.
Women’s Clothing Indus Valley civilization
illustration

ACCESSORIES

The bead-making industry at this time was responsible for making beads out
of metals that came in a variety of designs. There were a lot of pieces of
jewelry that were one of a kind and chokers, necklaces, earrings, finger rings,
bangles, and armlets were considered unisex. However, girdles, nose studs,
earrings, and anklets were worn only by women.

The jewelry was made of gold, silver, ivory, copper, and both precious and
semi-precious stone agate, cornelian, and crystals.

Head dresses were very common and women usually wore a thin band of
gold around the head. Men had long hair and wore it around a ring at the top
of the head. Bones, shells, and clay were also used in making jewelry.
GROOMING AND MAKE-UP

Makeup was usually worn by women who used a fine black powder
(collyrium) as eyeliner and face paint that was applied with rounded metal
rods. Toilet jars made of ivory, metal, and stone were found at the excavation
sites.

A vanity case found in Harappa had tweezers, piercers, and ear scoops which
showed an interest in women in beauty and makeup. Metal razors and oval-
shaped bronze mirrors were used and some had very fine and intricate
designs on them.
FOOTWEAR

It is not known how frequently footwear was used but it is assumed that
straw/flax was used to weave shoes and sandals.

INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT THE INDUS VALLEY CIVILIZATION

 Evidence suggests that street lights were placed in the cities at the
junction of every road.
 dogs were domesticated by the people in this era as there are children’s
toys shaped like animals which includes dogs as well.
 There were no temples found at the sites but the religion followed is
said to polytheistic and worship of Shiva, a Hindu deity was common.
 There was another statue of a goddess with a plant growing out of her
womb that was likely worshipped for fertility.
 Human sacrifice was likely practiced as Indus Valley has three human
sacrifice scenes found on seals.

Indus Valley Civilization:

The people of the Indus Valley Civilization wore garments made of cotton, wool, and even silk.
They had a diverse range of clothing styles, including draped garments, skirts, and tunics. They
also adorned themselves with various types of jewelry, such as necklaces, bracelets, and
earrings. Beads and bangles were popular accessories.

People wore garments made of cotton, wool, and silk. They adorned themselves with jewelry
like beads and bangles.

Roman Civilization:
Romans were known for their fashion-forward clothing. Men wore tunics, which were loose-
fitting garments made of linen or wool. Women wore stolas, which were long dresses, often
with a belt called a cingulum. Footwear included sandals and boots. Romans loved their jewelry,
with rings, bracelets, and necklaces being popular choices.
Romans wore tunics, togas, and stolas made of linen or wool. Footwear included sandals and
boots. Jewelry included rings, bracelets, and necklaces.

Egyptian Civilization:
Egyptians favored clothing made of linen, a lightweight fabric. Men wore a wraparound skirt
called a shendyt, while women wore a form-fitting garment called a kalasiris or a loose-fitting
dress called a kilt. Sandals made of papyrus or leather were common footwear choices.
Egyptians were fond of jewelry, often wearing amulets, collars, bracelets, and rings.
Egyptians wore linen garments like the shendyt, kalasiris, and kilt. They wore sandals made of
papyrus or leather. Jewelry included amulets, collars, and bracelets.

Greek Civilization:
Greeks had a distinct style of clothing. Men wore a tunic-like garment called a chiton, which
could be short or long. They also draped a cloak called a himation over their shoulders. Women
wore similar styles, with the addition of a peplos, a long, sleeveless dress. Sandals and boots
were common footwear choices. Greeks loved their jewelry, with earrings, necklaces, and
brooches being popular.
Greeks wore garments like the chiton and himation made of linen or wool. They wore sandals
and sometimes boots. Jewelry included earrings, necklaces, and brooches.
Victorian Era:
Victorian fashion was characterized by corsets, hoop skirts, and tailored suits for men. Footwear
included boots and lace-up shoes. Jewelry included brooches, lockets, and cameos.
Victorian Era: The Victorian Era was known for its elaborate and structured fashion. Women
wore corsets to achieve a slim waistline and often donned voluminous skirts supported by hoop
skirts. Men wore tailored suits with waistcoats and cravats. Footwear for both genders included
boots and lace-up shoes. Jewelry in the Victorian Era was intricate, with brooches, lockets,
cameos, and elaborate necklaces being common.