Indo-Western clothing represents a vibrant fusion of Western and South Asian fashion, with its origins deeply rooted in India's colonial history. The Portuguese, after Vasco da Gama discovered a trade route to India, heavily influenced Goan culture, leading designer Wendell Rodricks to state in 2012 that "Indo-western clothing originated in Goa," shaped by events like the Goa Inquisition.

Later, the British Raj, formally taking control in 1858, further propelled this blend; educated Indian women during this period pioneered early Indo-Western styles, notably wearing sarees with puffy sleeves popular in Victorian Europe. Following India's independence in 1947, particularly during the "Golden Age of Cinema" in the 1960s and 1970s, a mutual appropriation between Western and Indian fashion took hold. This trend continued for decades, evolving into a status symbol where traditional garments were reinterpreted with Western elements, and vice-versa, showcasing a rich multicultural design dialogue.