A veshti or vēṭṭi is a rectangular piece of non-stitched cloth, with varying lengths, used as a wrap for the lower body by the Tamils. It is often white, bordered in brightly coloured stripes. It is generally wrapped around the legs, knotted and secured by a corner being tucked beneath the wrapped cloth at the waist.[1] The style of draping might vary between communities, and men sometimes wear a hip belt to hold the veshti in place.[2] Predominantly worn by men, it is sometimes worn by women and the drape is known as vetti-mundu.[2][3]

Tamils wearing veshti in 1930s

Dhoti is a costume similar to veshti, which is a long, white rectangular piece of non-stitched cloth, that is wrapped around the waist, looped around the legs (similar to trousers) and knotted at the waist.[4] A lungi is also similar to a veshti but made tubular with the ends stitched together, designed with colourful batik patterns, and is a common form of male attire in the countryside.[1][5]

References

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  1. 1 2 "Veshti Vs Dhoti". The Economic Times. 15 May 2011. Retrieved 1 June 2025.
  2. 1 2 Boulanger, Chantal (1997). Saris: An Illustrated Guide to the Indian Art of Draping. New York: Shakti Press International. pp. 6, 15, 29–32. ISBN 978-0-966-14961-6.
  3. Anawalt, Patricia Rieff (2007). The Worldwide History of Dress. Thames & Hudson. p. 232. ISBN 978-0-500-51363-7.
  4. "About Dhoti". Britannica. Archived from the original on 13 March 2016. Retrieved 12 January 2016.
  5. "Clothing in India". Britannica. Archived from the original on 17 March 2016. Retrieved 12 January 2016.
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