Religious practices, education, and socio-economic statuses are part of our everyday life. These said factors shape the culture of any state, alongside history, art, spoken languages, and clothing. Following these, the traditions and customs have a sacred significance and demand all respect by the people of a society.
Pakistan’s culture and background are the highlights of the country’s thrift. Going back to the Indus Valley Civilization to the invasion of Arians, Persians, Greeks, White hubs, Mongols, and Dravidians, influenced the Pakistani culture in various ways. The difference in the culture among the ethnic groups, variations in languages, and the dress code is the most definite explanation for the said statement.
Evolution of Pakistani Fashion
Pakistani fashion has evolved much through these years. With every new decade, Pakistan’s fashion opted for impeccable taste, presenting something new, adventurous, and out of the box each time. Thousand years old of heritage much influences the Pakistani clothing.
Pakistani clothing refers to the ethnic clothing worn by the population of Pakistan and the people of Pakistani descent. Pakistani dresses, across the world, show the cultural values, geographical significance, religious beliefs, and untold history of its heritage. Besides that, it expresses the culture of various ethnic groups residing on the land of Pakistan. These ethnic groups include Punjabi, Sindhi, Balochi, Pakhtun, and people from the occupied Kashmir. However, the climatic conditions affect the culture and the clothing of the regional population.
Furthermore, Pakistani dresses possess a resemblance with Indian fashion, and that is because of sharing the same piece of land years ago. Besides that, Pakistani clothing is also similar to the Iranian and Turkic ethnic groups. Enchanting ꟷ as the Pakistani dresses are known, they reflect the advancement that has occurred in the society through time and loads of struggle.
In this article, we will highlight the focal points of Pakistani fashion.
Shalwar Kameez ꟷ The Traditional Dress
As the national dress of the country, the people from all the regions, Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan, Fata, and Gilgit, adore wearing Shalwar Kameez. However, variations in style in each province exist, which gives an identity to every province. The differences in style are because of colors, designs, accessories worn with the dress, and fabric.
Fashion for Men in Pakistan
You will find most Pakistani men wearing Shalwar Kameez as a part of their daily routine. Along with the dress, they wear accessories like the Waistcoat, Sherwani, and Achkan featuring straight pants or Churidar Pajamas together with headgears. Jinnah cap, Rumi Topi, and Taqiyah are the most common headwear worn by men on the Shalwar Kameez. Most men from the Sindh descent wear Ajrak, a long printed scarf or shawl, representing the Sindhi culture.
In regards to the footwear, Pakistani men wear Khusas and Kolhapuri Chappals on Shalwar Kameez. Moreover, modern footwear like; leather boots, Monk Strap, Chukka, Penny loafers, and Cap Toe Oxford is part of modern-day fashion.
Significance of Men’s Wear in Pakistan
Since 1982, it has become an unspoken rule to wear Shalwar Kameez in political meetings and events. Most Pakistani Government officials, Secretariats, respected Prime Ministers, and Presidents travel while wearing traditional dress to showcase the unique attire and culture around the world.
Political authorities often pair up the classic black or white Shalwar Kameez with a black Waistcoat or Sherwani to various political gatherings, representing the unique blend of fashion and elegance.
Moreover, Shalwar Kameez or the Kurta Shalwar is a common theme to wear in weddings, festivals, and casual meetings.
Fashion for Women in Pakistan
Pakistani women’s fashion is synonymous with class, elegance, decency, and colors. Based on religious beliefs, a woman must cover her body parts well while going outside. Hence why scarves, hijab, abaya, and Dupatta are a part of fashion.
However, from the late 1960s to the present times, the modifications in women’s fashion are detectable. From wearing loose-fitted clothes to wearing tight skin-fitted, modern-day dresses, the fashion industry has evolved. The differences in style and designs, way of stitching, and trends have become visible over time.
Women fashion started from wearing Shalwar Kameez with the Dupatta. The long sleeves and knee-length shirts with embroidered work were the major “in” back then. However, as society progressed and became more aware of western culture, the difference in the clothing started to line up. The tradition carried on; however, it came back with twists. Tight Cigarette pants replacing the baggy bottoms, slim-fitted thigh-length shirt replaced the long floor-length gowns, and short neck wraps replaced the scarves and hijab.
Today, the designers are bringing back the old fashion and traditional clothes but with waster influences. The traditional Kurtis are now worn with cardigans, featuring tight pants or short Capris. Similarly, the modern-day long frocks have a hint of western zest to them.
The classic Shalwar Kameez has its modifications featuring Flared Patiala Shalwars, elbow-sleeved or sleeveless knee-length shirts, with or without dupattas. Traditional footwear for women ꟷ Khusas reshaping as Scarpin Heels and Kitten Heels.
Borderline; the Pakistani Fashion Industry is evolving and introducing new trends to the face of the world. With time, the past trends will become a part of the current vogue, though with a western twist. It is surprising how Pakistan’s fashion is growing its seeds to give something bigger and presentable each time.
Pakistani Dresses Available Online in the UK
As the Fashion industry has made its mission to expand the Pakistani traditional trends all around the world, regions like the UK, USA, US have excess to the Pakistani clothing. Several online stores are now launching a whole Pakistani and Indian traditional clothing collection. The most reliable online clothing brand, Libas e Jamila has launched its new-found Pakistani dresses collection where you can find traditional Shalwar Kameez, Wedding outfits, classic Sarees, Eid wear. Supreme quality, best design dresses, exquisite colors, and style variations are the priority and main concerns of this UK-based online brand.
You can choose from their stitched and unstitched collection. All you need to do is visit their site, scroll down to the menu, and choose the dresses of your choice!
