Salwar kameez is the national dress of Pakistan, and the outfit is worn by both men and women in all Four provinces, namely Punjab, Sindh, Baluchistan & Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The Salwar is a type of loose trouser, while the kameez is a long shirt with side slits.
Although the Salwar Suit is the native dress of the Pakistan, It is worn in distinct ways by the Country’s provinces. There are several variants of the salwar kameez – each province has its own unique, yet traditional touch to the kurta shalwar.
Every province’s traditional clothing has its own beauty and has a novelty into it. Lets take a deeper look!
1. Punjabi
Punjab has evolved the most in terms of new Pakistani dress designs. Originally, the traditional dress of the Punjab used to be Lacha – which is like the lower part of a dress, but without a partition for legs. A common accessory is also the Paranda (a colourful
piece of yarn which women connect into their hair to add length and volume). Today, we see these only in some formal demonstration of cultural
Pakistani dresses.
Sindhi
In Sindh, you have the classic “Ajrak and Sindhi Topi” in rural areas of Sindhi Ajrak is a piece of cloth that has a unique print that comprises of a circular pattern – usually in blue, brown and maroon. The Sindhi Topi is also a significant part of sindhi Culture. The needle and mirror work done
on Sindhi topi is so popular that i has been replicated onto rugs, pottery, ornaments etc.
3. Balochi
The Balochis have maintained their traditional clothing even till this day.
Balochi dresses for women are truly a work of art. They have beautiful needlework in vivid colors, and the dresses have exquisite flares.
The needlework is done by hand by the women themselves.
4. Pathani
Pathani women wear an embroiderd Kameez with a farak (long dress). It is usually accompanied by a heavy Shawl or Dupatta. The Kashmiri ‘Phiran style’ kameez has full embroidery on the neckline and hem of the Kameez and is often made of wool. The women also accessorize with beautiful head pieces, made of light metal on their heads. Pathani men are also famous for wearing the classic Pathan cap – also made of wool.
Even after so many years, Salwar kameez remains to be the traditional clothing in Pakistani dresses. It is true that our clothing has gone through various innovations and Pakistani dresses today are much different from what they used to be, but fashion only adds a little spice here and a little there to give Pakistani dresses a new look every year