Indian fashion is not just all about beautiful and colorful saris. While it may be among the most widely known garments with Indian origins, there are other significant forms of clothing and styles in Indian fashion. The Salwar Kameez is one of these. A traditional outfit that hails from the Indian sub-continent, the Salwar Kameez is comprised of a tunic that’s worn with a pair of trousers.
Salwar or shalwar refers to the trousers, while Kameez refers to the short or long tunic. The history of the Salwar Kameez can be traced back to the Mughal era. The style of dressing is believed to have been first introduced in South Asia upon the arrival of the Muslims. First worn by Muslims, the Salwar Kameez soon became widely popular and worn throughout the region. During this period, the most famous style of the Salwar Kameez that was worn was known as the Anarkali suit.
Salwar Kameez can be worn by both men and women alike. They are part of both men’s and women’s fashion in Eastern Europe and throughout various regions of Asia, including, of course, India. The Salwar trousers are typically designed with a wide silhouette and a loose fit, appearing quite baggy. The trousers then taper down towards the hem, which are cuffed.
However, there are also some styles that feature a straight or narrow cut instead. The waist of the Salwar usually features a drawstring or an elastic waistband. The adjustable waist makes the Salwar easy and comfortable to use, while also giving the trousers a pleated design around the waist. The Kameez, on the other hand, can be either a long or short tunic.
The tunic is designed with what is called the chaak, which are side slits or open side seams from below the waistline. This makes the Kameez easy to wear and provides the wearer with freedom of movement. In terms of its silhouette, the Kameez is typically designed with a straight and flat cut. For its collar style, it can feature either a mandarin collar, a European style collar or can even be collarless.
The silhouettes or cuts and design features of both the Salwar and the Kameez make the garments versatile and ideal for use every day. They can also be embellished and can include other design features to dress them up or dress them down, making them appropriate for various day activities as well as formal, evening occasions.
Over the years, the traditional Salwar Kameez has evolved into different variations that are especially worn by women today. In fact, the outfit it widely worn by Indian women for both casual occasions and formal events. While the Salwar Kameez comes in a number of different style variations, in India, there are four particular styles that are commonly worn. These include the aforementioned Anarkali Suits, Dhoti Salwars, Patiala Salwars, and Palazzo Salwars. The Salwar Kameez has proven to be an enduring and timeless style that transcends any passing fashion trends.
Named presumably after the legendary Anarkali, the dancer in the Mughal court, Anarkali suits have been connected to the medieval period as the attire of the queens and princesses. These suits were traditionally made with fine materials such as silk, muslin, and cotton, and decorated with embroidery, Zari, brocade, and other embellishments.
The most appealing part of an Anarkali suit is the long and voluminous flair of the kurta, which often reaches the floor, giving a graceful appearance to the wearer. Modern women often ditch the dupatta to create a gown-like look in the Anarkali, while many prefer a heavy statement dupatta with a plain Anarkali suit to create a balance of effortlessness and stylish.
Another style of suit made popular during the medieval period and the later popular culture depictions of the Mughal culture in the modern period is the sharara suit, known for the floor-length and heavy traditional pants, which are beautifully embellished. Sharara pants are worn with a short kurti, which is fitting and is decorated with threadwork, sequins, Zari, and Zardozi work.
The Sharara suits are a simpler variety of the exquisite and much-more elaborate Farshi Gharara, which has a long, trailing element on the hem, giving the women who wear it a royal appeal. Gharara and Sharara have been a traditional component of Muslim brides’ trousseau, but are also loved by Indian and foreign women in general, who cherish its feminine and royal appeal.
For modern women who like the royal elements of traditional Indian wear, organza suits are a godsend. Made with sheer and luxurious organza fabric, these suits are a contemporary statement of femininity and fashion. Decorated with lovely prints, and fine embroidery, and tailored into classic fits, organza suits are the perfect option as ethnic women’s wear for festivals and parties. You can style your organza suits with a statement gemstone jewelry piece to create looks that are luxurious.
Prints- floral, geometric, abstract, and other appealing designs are a favorite of many modern fashion lovers. Prints are eye-catching and are a great way to effortlessly express your mood and taste. Printed salwar suits- georgette, cotton, silk, and other fabrics are some of the most favorite ethnic wear for women, who style them up for special occasions and wear them for casual and formal days.
The unending varieties of prints make these salwar suits a versatile clothing choice. You can mix and match your salwar and kameez with printed dupattas, wear a monochrome printed suit set or pair a printed kurta with pants or denims to experiment with prints.
The traditional embroidery of Awadh, Chikankari is known for its intricate yet subtle appearance, which makes Chikankari salwar suits a good option for casual, formal as well as festive occasions. Cotton, georgette, and silk decorated with the characteristic white threadwork, creating floral vines, paisleys, and other ethnic motifs are used by designers to tailor elegant and easy-going salwar suits. You can style a Chikankari kurta set with traditional silver earrings, cuffs, and statement jewelry and pair the look with Jutis and side bags or sling bags for the perfect ethnic look that is a winner for any occasion.
Punjab’s classic fit, Patiala suits are loved for their playful fit and colorful embellishment. These are traditionally worn by women of northern India, especially during festivals. Sequins, embroidery, mirrorwork, and tassels are added to the kurta and dupatta, which are accessorized with the beautiful Amritsari jutti or shoes and Polki, Meenakari, pearl and other traditional Indian jewelry.
An essential piece in the casual wardrobe of every woman who loves traditional Indian wear is a straight-cut salwar suit. The tailored fit of a straight kurta with simple or minimal embellishment and formal straight or pencil-cut pants are a good option for office and college. Made with comfortable fabrics, these salwar suits can be accessorized with chic Indian jewelry or watches to create smart and elegant looks.
Winters always remind us of cardigans, coats, and shawls, but thanks to the woolen suits, crafted with pure wool and paired with warm materials such as silk and velvet, these are a stylish and feminine choice to make the cool winter days a fashionable time. Kashmiri woolen and silk suits are popular for their rich embroidery work and comfortable feel. Woolen kurtas can be worn with stoles and dupattas or can be paired with a statement Pashmina shawl for festive looks that are comfy yet luxurious.
The appeal of salwar suits does not seem to be ending anytime soon. Designer and fashion lovers who prefer a modern look in their festive and partywear, have come up with unique fusion fits inspired by salwar kameez. Long flowy silhouettes taken from Anarkali suits, embroidery of Chikankari, and delicate patterns of printed suits are transformed into edgy and elegant ethnic fusion salwar suits. Classic and trendy, fusion or Indo-western Salwar suits are a good option for those who love to experiment with style and fits.
The salwar kameez is the perfect example of the range of traditional Indian clothing. It can be styled for anything from a wedding function to a casual day out, and in every event, it will make you look effortlessly beautiful. The variety of styles and designs available for salwar kameez online can be paired with traditional jewelry such as silver earrings, bangles, anklets, pendants, necklace sets, and gemstone statement pieces for creating festive looks, while for the simple, everyday fits that can go for cotton salwar suits and pair them with dupattas or go minimal with just the salwar and kameez. Whatever your favourite ensemble for a traditional or fusion look with a salwar suit maybe, visit Exotic India Art to find kurta sets tailored to your taste.
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