Ever thought that the blouse, the most "Indian" piece of clothing, isn’t actually Indian? Centuries ago, women in India didn’t wear blouses at all! Ancient sculptures from Khajuraho and temple walls show women proudly baring their upper bodies, draped only in silk and adorned with gold - it was elegance, not immodesty.

Things changed when Islamic and later British influences entered India. Victorian ideals labelled bare skin as "uncivilized," pushing Indian women to cover up. That’s when Jnanadanandini Devi, a Bengali reformer, created the modern saree look - pairing it with blouse and petticoat after being denied entry to a British club for dressing “inappropriately.”

But here’s something few know - early blouses were actually inspired by Edwardian corsets and gowns from England, with lace collars and puffed sleeves! So every time you wear a blouse today, remember - it’s not just fashion. It’s a story of rebellion, adaptation, and identity stitched into every thread.