Himachal Pradesh with its strudy hill people is well-known for its centuries old custumes and other garments. The 'Gujjar' folk have a unique mode of dress, quite different from the usual woollen sarees and gowns worn by the rest of Himachali women. Gujjar men and women alike, wear a cotton shirt known as "Kurta". Delicately embroidered with circular and linear patterns, the 'Kurtas' are in deep colours. Interestingly enough the lines and circles on the Kurta symbolise milk, and the dark background the colour of the buffalo.

The Chamba folk are extremely fond of adornment. Head scarves are worn by the women, and these are usually of bright printed cotton and knotted at the back. Bangles and rings made of horse-hair are the typical accessories worn by the Chamba women. Climb blithely over the rocky hill-sides, the people wear sturdy grass shoes, comfortable and warm inside and brightly patterned on the outside. The local traditional costumes are reflected in the exquisite dolls made by the Himachalis. These beautiful and life-like figurines lend charm to modern environs.

Shawls are a speciality of Himachal Pradesh. In summer, the wild Himalayan goat sheds its fleece on the high mountains. From this, the hill people spin and weave exceptionally fine and valuable shawls during winter, when the fields are covered with snow. Most notable of these is the soft Pashmina shawl made from the hair of the Pashmina Goat. The exquisite shawls of the Himachal are both plain and designed. The colour of these, largely depend upon the wool, is mixed. The right mixture can result in beautiful greys, blues, mustards and blacks. If the designs of the Himachal shawls are varied, so are also the methods of wearing them. Every district has improvised its style of drapping the shawl, the most popular styles being 'Dhobroo' and 'Pattu'.

Exquisite woollen shawls and carpets in beautiful pattern expressing a vision and variety of shape and feeling have for centuries been woven in the Pradesh. Shawls in their floral, geometrical and traditional designs are popular with the high gentry and the sophisticated society both within and outside the country. Shawl designs are mostly simple and carry p1easing colour scheme. Over elaboration and superfluous decorations are skillfully avoided. Similarly, tweeds and blankets are woven throughout the Pradesh.