Stanapatta (Stanmasuka) was a loose wrap cloth for the upper body. It was a chest band used in ancient India. It was a simple upper garment of the females during the ancient time similar to the mamillare or strophium used by the Roman women. Stanapatta was a part of Poshaka (the women's attire). Kālidāsa mentions kurpasika, another form of breastband that is synonymized with uttarasanga and stanapatta by him. Innerwears for lower parts were called nivi or nivi bandha.[1][2] The Skandamata sculpture of Malhar depicts the use of stanapatta and kanchuki in ancient times.[3]
The garment was mainly used by married women to cover the nipples or breasts completely. It was also decorated with embellishments and worn with many successor clothes of uttariya, for instance, Sari. Stanapatta changed with the time; few evolved forms are choli or blouse.[4][5]
