India, Oct. 21 -- For most of us growing up, wearing ethnic clothes came with terms and conditions. You needed a reason. A wedding invite. A Diwali puja. You needed matching accessories, safety pins in bulk, and at least one relative saying, "Where at least something Indian." Also read | Jharkhand farmer Nishant Kerketta breaks internet with curated model-like outfits: Even Bhumi Pednekar and Shibani Dandekar are fans

Chikankari? Only for Eid. Ajrakh? Too much for daily wear. That kundan choker? Locked away until your friend's wedding. Gen Z has cancelled that rulebook. Scroll through any college campus, any coffee shop in Delhi, Mumbai or Bengaluru, or Instagram now and you'll see it.

A short olive kurti with baggy blue jeans and sneak...