Salwar Kameez

Fashion Critics have observed on the Runways of Paris & Milan that many International Fashion Houses & Designer are taking inspiration from Traditional Indian & Pakistani fashion, especially the styles & Materials used for embellishment. Most of them in one way or the other resemble the traditional Indian & Pakistani Style of Salwar Kameez.

Fusion Salwar Kameez which is actually a blend of Eastern & Western Fashion is being seen taking over the fashion scene across the world. What is so interesting about Fusion Shalwar Kamiz which is making women all over the world go crazy over a fashion trend that has been around for thousands of years.

The answer is very simple : Salwar Kameez or Shalwar Kameez is filling the gap that was missing from the western fashion scene for years, graceful feminine elegance coupled with un-comparable comfort.

Salwar Kameez are modest, graceful & most of all very comfortable, that is why it is the preferred choice of Indian & Pakistani women across the world.  Salwar Kameez come in many different styles such as Parallels or Trouser style salwar suits with a short Kurta style top called Kurti, churidar style salwar kameez which is tight snug ruffled pants or pajamas, Patiyla style or ptaiala style shalwar kameez which had a extra baggy pants, Punjabi style salwar kameez, Afghani style shalwar kameez which looks like a maternity dress, Anarkali style salwar kameez which has snug top with a panelled & flared bodice, Angarkha style which is has a over lapped front bodice. In addition to this, the embroideries & embellishment with different materials create never ending design and variations.

The Indo-Pak Shalwar Kameez has a very significant place in the history of the textiles of the sub-continent and can be traced back to the Vedic times. Kamiz salwar has emerged as comfortable, elegant and respectful apparel of the Indian & Pakistani wardrobe. Salwar Kameez was brought into India during the Mogul era as a courtly garment from the central Asian invaders, and slowly became the popular garment of the common people. Men and women both wore different forms of what is today known as the kamiz shalwar.

Pakistani & Indian dressing styles are marked by many variations, both religious and regional with a wide choice of textures and styles. The people of the Indo Pak Sub-Continent have been very fashionable from the very ancient times. Cotton cloth has always been worn by the masses while the rich preferred the use of silks.

Shalwar or Salwar resemble a pajamas drawn tightly in at the waist with a draw string and is tailored in such a way that it is baggy at the hip area and tapers down at the ankles. The Kameez is like a Tunic Top and is worn over the salwar which is like a long shirt. The most common pattern has sleeves up to the wrist, slits on the sides with a mandarin collar with buttons in front.

Other variation of the salwar is churidar pajama'. The Churidar Pajamas is a tighter version of the salwar accentuating the knees and ankles.

The salwar-kameez is usually worn with the dupatta which is like a scarf or a stoll. The Dupatta is a rectangle cloth made of very thin cotton or synthetic material used to cover the head and the bust area.

Yet an other variation is a Sharara where the women wear their costumes in three parts. The shirt of this costume are very small extending up to the abdomen, with a rich embroidery and Zardozi work that were first brought into the country. The bottoms were known as the Sharara which were a loose flowing divided gown like pants. The head are covered with the Dupatta, which was both a mark of respect.

Like all fashion all across the world, the salwar kameez has also transformed with time to suit the current day demand of the modern Asian women. In Punjab the shalwar kamiz acquired a more nationalistic and broader base often stretching to other parts of the country. Today the Shalwar Kameez is synonymous with the national costume of the country along with the sari. In Kashmir women wear a similar outfits but with thicker material to suit to the climate of their region. In Lucknow the baggy pajamas are replaced by tight and long leggings that form many folds at the ankles. These are called churidars, suggesting that they resemble bangles.

Dupatta, also known as chunri, are a beautiful accessory to Women's Salwar Kameez, Pant Suits, Shararas, Ghararas, Peshwas, Angarkhas, & Lehnga Choli. Like a Scarf or stoll there are many ways to wear a dupatta depending on the occasion and your individual style that represents your personality. 

Indian & Pakistani Clothing - Salwar Kameez or Shalwar Kameez, Saree & Lehanga Choli

Pakistani and Indian Fashion is creating a huge impact on the mainstream fashion all over the world especially in the West. Famous Designer Like Armani, Fendi, and Miyake all draw on elements from the Exotic South Asian culture.

In Paris Dries Van Noten, one of the new fashion leaders and member of the so-called Belgian Four, presented a collection of layered chiffon wraps, dresses, saree, and kurta look-alikes.

Many U.S. design companies are taking Indian fashion and transforming it for western audiences.

Salwar Kameez or Shalwar Kameez:

Salwar Kameez started as an alternative dress form in Kashmir and Punjab suits, it has grown in popularity all over India, Pakistan and in all the muslim countries of the world, especially with younger women.  International Celebrities like Goldie hawn, Sally field, Hillary Clinton, Jeniffer Lopez, Queen Latifa, Madonna and the Late Princess Diana adorning the Salwar (Shalwar) kameez at high profile events.

Saree or Sari

The saree is an extremely versatile garment. It simply consists of a single, rectangular piece of material, five to six yards in length, accommodating any size. The style, color, and texture of this material vary according to region and caste. Different draping styles convey the status, age, occupation, region, or religion of the wearer.

Choli:

The tightly fitted complimentary colored, short blouse worn under a saree is a choli. Originally, cholis only covered the front, now they have evolved to include versions covering front and back to midriff. The traditional form is still commonly worn in Rajastan.

Lehanga:

This is a pleated skirt worn mostly in Rajastan. Worn with a choli, it is secured at the waist, leaving the back and midriff bare. A length of fine cotton called a dupatta, completes the ensemble, covering the head.