Kurta Shalwar

Kurta too is one of the oldest kinds of dressing. 

This is collarless loose shirt with straight lower borders, equally used by men and women in the region of Subcontinent including Afghanistan. It is worn by men either with tight fitting paijamas or loose shalwar. The vogue of tight fitting paijamas is the old one which is still in fashion in India whereas in Pakistan its use is generally with the loose shalwar except the marriage ceremonies. The purpose of dressings in marriage ceremonies in entire world is mostly extravagant, and it is owing to the same that kurta in weddings is of bright colours with embroideries (sometimes heavy). Still in entire Pakistan it is considered as the formal dress worn in the public gatherings. Its formality, quite unlike India, is its use with simple shalwar.

Kurta is in the very history of Pakistan independence, for it was in the very vogue of gent’s fashion, and all the leaders right from Sir Syed Ahmad Khan in Pakistan movement worn this dress. It was quite common in entire India Muslims and Hindus alike that Jinnah and Nehru were of same dress. Only difference was Jinnah’s selection of Sharwani whereas Nehru was more used to with achkan.

Gent’s varieties

In gents it is richer in varieties than shalwar kameez. Its most use is in the summer weather mainly on account of its being loose garment. It is also used along with waist coat, the traditional sleeveless coat used in Pakistan.

Thin clothed without “ban”

This is quite popular variety of kurta in Punjab, the largest province of Pakistan, whereas it is used in large scale in the other provinces as well. This is one of the oldest fashions that always remained popular and this is white kurta of very thin cloth especially for the summer weather. This is neither with collar nor with ban (a stiff neck covering). It is simplest used to be worn at home or in the informal gatherings.

Formal kurta with “ban”

This style is something considered to be the more formal one, used in the gathering with waist coat. Instead of collar a covering of stiff cloth like a strip is used which is actually called a “ban”. There are many varieties of it, some simple, which is more formal one whereas other is the one used in the ceremonies and it is with embroidery and rich colours. There is one which is now considered to be in the latest fashion and it is the combination of gala and ban both. 

Shirt type kurta

This is the simple shirt with ban and rounded lower corners. This is now-a-days quite in the vogue and is popular in Pakistani society. Rather this can be said that this style is now gaining more popularity than the other ones, and it is simply owing to the fact that this is considered to be the formal one and used with convenience in the public gathering, offices, job and whatever. It is the counterpart of simple shirt with collars.