Probably the most comfortable of all outfits, the shalwar kameez is one of the most widely worn outfits today. It originated in the North but has spread its fame throughout. Not just by women, it is also worn by men, although there is a difference between both the outfits. The basic difference being, women include a
dupatta in their outfit while men do not. The outfit includes a salwar which resembles a loose
Trouser along with a
kameez that resembles a
long tunic with long slits at the side. The slits enable easy and free movement. Women make this outfit attractive with their lovely
dupatta .
Churidar kurta or
kameez are a tighter version of
Salwar Kameez which look quite smart but are not as comfortable as
salwar suits.
Trouser suits are a fashionable version of salwar suits. It is advisable to make a salwar out of a fabric that drapes beautifully. The salwar features drawstring around the waist that enables the gathering of the fabric thereby creating subtle ‘pleats’ or ‘folds’. These ‘folds’ appear much better if the fabric used is ‘drape-friendly’ rather than a ‘stiff’ fabric. There are versions of the salwar such as
Patiala salwar and
semi-Patiala salwar. While the
Patiala salwar is stitched with numerous pleats for a heavily-pleated look, the
semi-Patiala includes fewer pleats. The style and cut of the
kurta or
kameez varies thanks to the ever-changing fashion tastes. As usual, Bollywood had a major role in determining the style of
salwar kameez. Post ‘Bunty Aur Babli’, kurtas with collars became a rage and the streets were full of young college girls sporting loose salwars with
collar kurtas in rather loud colors. ‘Laga Chunari Me Daag’ also established the popularity of
Patiala salwar with short kurtas. Kareena Kapoor’s fusion look in ‘Jab We Met’ was a craze for sometime. Teaming the loose salwar with a
long T-shirt or even with spaghetti, sans
dupatta , became the new style statement. It is advisable to style your
kameez or
kurta keeping in mind your height. If you are the tall and lean type, stick to short kurta end few inches above the knee or on the knee. If height isn’t one of your biggest assets, it’s better if you opt for the longer of
kurta as the length of the kurta adds the illusion of height. No matter what changes or variations it goes through, you can be sure that this outfit would never lose its popularity. Fabric is not a problem with this outfit as it looks good when made out of any fabric.cotton would be the first choice when it comes to comfort. silk blended cotton and georgette and suitable for any formal occasion.