The term Pakistani clothes refers to the ethnic clothing that is typically worn by individuals in the country of Pakistan and by the People of Pakistani descent. Pakistani clothes express the Culture of Pakistan, the Demographics of Pakistan and regional Cultures which include Punjabi Culture, Sindhi Culture, Balochi Culture, Pashtun Culture and Kashmiri Culture. Dresses in each regional culture reflect weather conditions, way of living and distinctive style which gives it a unique identity among all cultures.
Pakistani dressing has similarities with Indian dressing because of pre-partition culture which was shared by these nations for thousand years but the religious factor was always there which makes a difference. Pakistani dressing and culture is a part of Islamic Culture which is reflected in the dresses of Pakistani men and women.With the passage of time Pakistanis are adapting modern dresses and cultural clothing, especially in big cities.
Pakistani National Dress
The Shalwar Kameez is the national dress of Pakistan and is worn by men and women in all four provinces Punjab, Sindh, Baluchistan, Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa and FATA in the country and in Azad Kashmir. Each province has its own style of wearing the Shalwar Qameez.Pakistanis wairclothes range from exquisite colors and designs to the type of fabric (silk, chiffon, cotton, etc.).
Women's Clothing
Shalwar Kameez
The most favorite dressing among Pakistani women is Shalwar Kameez which is worn in different styles, colors and designs especially the front part of Kameez is decorated with different styles and designs of embroidery. It is worn with different sleeve length, shirt length, necklines and different types of Shalwars like Patiala Shalwar, Churidar Pajama and simple trouser. Kurta is also worn by women in latest designs. Dupatta is an essential part of Shalwar Kameez and considered a symbol of woman's respect.It is used with different embroidery designs of Kamdani[3] and Gota.
[edit]Other Traditional Dresses
Pakistani women have variety of traditional dresses other than Shalwar Kameez but they mostly wear them in special occasions like Wedding, Engagement, Mehndi and other traditional ceremonies. Among these dresses Sari very popular and its each design and color seems unique from the other e.g. Lehenga Style Sari. Lehenga is another popular dress which resembles with skirt but a typical traditional dress. Gharara and Sharara are two resembling dresses which are often used in ceremonies. Farshi Pajama is an old traditional dress which is worn occasionally. Laacha is worn in Eastern part of the country, its a dress which resembles with Dhoti from its lower part.
[edit]Regional Clothing
In regional clothing, Balochi women wear heavy embroided Shalwar Kameez and Dupatta according to the weather conditions. They wear Kameez full of heavy Embroided Shisha work. Sindhi costumes have different styles of embroidery and some women use Ajrak as Dupatta. these women also wear bangles in their traditional way. Punjabi women prefer lite embroidery on simple Shalwar Kameez or Kurta. Traditional Lacha and Bangles are also used. Paranda is the special traditional, colorful and unique Punjabi item which is used to tie the hair. Pathan women wear embroided Kameez with a farak with a heavy Dupatta. They also wear specific type of Burqa while going out of home.
[edit]Religious Clothing
By women's religious clothing we mean the dressing in which they try to cover all their body parts except face and hands while going outside from their home.Mostly women cover their heads with Dupatta or Chadar in outdoors but religious women prefer to wear Scarf, Burqa or Hijab and wear lose, long and full sleeve shirts.
[edit]New Trends
With the passage of time Pakistani women has started to adapt new styles some of which are the combination of Pakistani and Western clothing. Like women wear Embroided Kurta with Jeans and Trousers. Tight half sleeve and sleeveless shirts with Capri trousers have also been adopted.
