A look at Bollywood's most iconic eras through fashion

Bollywood has long been the beating heart of Indian fashion, establishing style standards and influencing trends. The silver screen has shaped fashion for years, from Ranveer Singh's daring experiments to Madhubala's majestic drapes. Every decade has given us a turning point in fashion; some classic, some bold, and some that still serve as inspiration for runways worldwide. Let's travel through the most recognisable fashion periods in Bollywood and look at the great stars who contributed to their fame.

The Golden Era (1950s-60s): Timeless elegance

Actresses like Madhubala, Waheeda Rehman and Nargis have embodied grace in sarees, heavily embroidered blouses and elegant Anarkalis. Bollywood during the 50s and 60s was a mix of Indian traditional wear with Hollywood glamour.  

 

Mughal-e-Azam remains etched in the history of Bollywood due to various reasons like the chemistry between Salim and Anarkali, elegance and Madhubala's regal yet elegant look adorned with heavy embellishments and intricately detailed costumes. Not all the credit goes to Madhubala's couture but also to the accessories worn by her in the film, her winged eyeliner, and bouffant hairstyles which enhanced her overall look, making Mughal-e-Azam a historic epitome of love, femininity, grace and elegance. 

The Retro Revolution (1970s): Bold and experimental

Actors like Zeenat Aman, Parveen Babi, and Amitabh Bachchan ruled Bollywood during the 1970s with their experimental and vibrant looks, such as bell bottoms, bold prints, and rebellious silhouettes.

At that time, Parveen Babi slayed in her glittery jumpsuit and high-slit gowns, which not only made her Bollywood's disco queen but also started the trend of adorning sequin dresses as a party essential.

In the movie Hare Ram Hare Krishna, Zeenat Aman's hippie chic look emerged from the trend of bohemian trend which emphasized fringed tops, oversized sunglasses and floral prints.

Amitabh Bachchan's "Angry Young Man" persona is still prevalent in Bollywood and was not only a costume or persona worn by him in a Bollywood movie. It also became a style revolution around India. His "Angry Young Man" look comprised rugged leather jackets, bell bottoms and oversized sunglasses.

 

Similarly, movies like Sholay and Deewaar also set a benchmark for men's fashion, especially with bell bottom jeans.

The Glamorous 80s: Power dressing and statement styles

The Bollywood of the 80s witnessed a lot of drama, not only on the silver screen but also in couture. Actors like Sridevi and Rekha rose to prominence during this time and showcased influential looks, redefining elegance in a whole different way. 

 

For example, Sridevi's chiffon sarees in the movie Chandni became a Bollywood mainstay, bringing in the soft hues and graceful looks which were then adopted by a lot of brides for their special day.

Similarly, Rekha influenced the audience with her elegant Kanjeevaram sarees, bold makeup and intricate jewellery etching ethnic elegance in the history of Bollywood. 

Some more trends were observed during that time like high-waisted jeans, padded shoulders and eye-grabbing accessories, large sunglasses, hefty belts, and vivid patterns etc. 

The 90s: The era of Bollywood romance and chic styling

The 1990s were about easy charm while the 1980s were about grandeur. Bollywood romances dominated the movie office, bringing with them wearable and aspirational apparel.

In Hum Aapke Hain Koun!, Madhuri Dixit's purple saree served as a cultural reset in addition to being a garment. Millions of soon-to-be brides wanted to imitate her style, down to the delicate jewellery and new floral accents.

In contrast, Karisma Kapoor invented athleisure before it was even a fad. Clothing like vibrant crop tops and denim jackets came into demand with the arrival of Dil To Pagal Hai on the big screen, making sporty fashion the ultimate cool girl aesthetic. 

When talking of the blend between comfort and romance, or simply travel fashion, Shah Rukh Khan's Dil Wale Dulhania Le Jayenge leather jackets, paired with Kajol's mustard outfit is a must.

The 2000s: Bling, fusion and the birth of Y2K 

With the arrival of the new millennium era, Bollywood adorned the Y2K era. This was the Poo era i.e. Kareena Kapoor Khan's ultra-glamorous, bling-filled Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham. Her characteristic "whatever" attitude, bodycon dresses, and miniskirts established the standard for maximalist fashion.

With Rani Mukerji's Indo-western outfits in Bunty Aur Babli—Patiala salwars combined with short kurtis—becoming the preferred choice for young ladies, fusion fashion was on centre stage. 

In the meantime, Hrithik Roshan's spiked hair and leather-on-denim ensembles from Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai helped to define men's fashion.

The 2010s: High fashion meets Bollywood

By the 2010s, Bollywood fashion began influencing fashion worldwide rather than merely establishing trends in India. Royal lehengas and bold jewellery became popular again because of Deepika Padukone's royal appearances in Bajirao Mastani and Padmaavat, which brought back Indian traditional attire.

 

 

Subtlety could be just as striking as grandeur, as demonstrated by Anushka Sharma's pastel lehenga from Ae Dil Hai Mushkil, which started a national bridal trend. 

Ranveer Singh came with his gender-fluid, experimental and rebellious fashion with his quirky prints, and bold suits, which made him an international fashion icon. 

The 2020s: Sustainability, streetwear, and vintage revival

Bollywood has been at the forefront of the mindful fashion movement in the 2020s. Less is really more according to Alia Bhatt's minimalist bridal style, which is a no-makeup, no-fuss wedding approach that has revolutionised bridal trends.

Sustainable clothing has taken over casual fashion too. It is quite evident now that Bollywood is embracing artisanal handloom weaves, upcycled fabrics and eco-conscious brands on the red carpet.

Bollywood’s Global Impact on Fashion

The fashion industry in India is indeed influenced by Bollywood. Indian designers like Manish Malhotra, Sabyasachi and Falguni Shane Peacock have become renowned worldwide. 

One can conclude that Bollywood highly influences the fashion industry. It has defined fashion, not just reflected it, decade after decade. One thing is for sure as we move forward: Bollywood will always be the leading power when talking about its influence on fashion.
 

Text by Aliza Noor

Edited by Sabrina Mathews