A choli is a midriff-baring blouse worn in India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and other countries where the sari is worn. The choli is usually cut to fit tightly to the body; it will have short sleeves and a low neck. The back may be solid, or cut out. The choli may also be abbreviated, ending right below the bustline, or elongated, ending at the waist.

Saris are often woven with an extra length of material meant to be cut off and fashioned into a matching choli. The choli may be sewn so that the elaborately woven borders of the sari material form the bottom edges of the choli sleeves.

However, cholis need not match the sari. There is a growing trend towards stretchy, comfortable cholis made from knit materials.

The traditional choli was not worn over a brassiere. However, many modern South Asian women will wear a brassiere as well as a choli, for extra coverage and control. Expensive designer cholis may be sewn with padding and reinforcements so that a brassiere is not needed.

Women of the Gujarat and Rajasthan countryside may also wear the choli with a skirt, or lehenga (lehnga). Their cholis are often loosely fitting and heavily ornamented with embroidery and mirror work, or shisha embroidery.

Choli

Indian clothing