In today’s fast-paced world, where contemporary fashion has taken over alongside the era of fast food and fast fleeting trends, do you ever sit by yourself and yearn for the simplicity of earlier times? When the food was homemade, and clothes, too – made with cultural significance and cherished by many! Do you ever pause to recall those times when style was timeless, and life felt a bit serene and a little bit slower? Well, one such epitome of elegance that captures these simpler times is the Indian salwar kameez suit! It transports us back to the simpler times; evoking cherished childhood memories, and connecting us to our roots.
An Indian Salwar Kameez usually includes three clothing components:
- Salwar: A salwar is a bottom wear that has evolved in a variety of styles over the years. It is a trouser-like pants that is loosely fitted, wide-legged, dhoti styles, or churidar style.
- Kameez: The kameez is a top wear that varies in length, depending upon the style. It is a tunic-like piece of clothing that can be embroidered or embellished.
- Dupatta: Complementing and completing the salwar kameez outfit is the dupatta. It is a scarf-like accessory that comes in a variety of fabrics and can be draped in a variety of styles.
This is what a basic Indian salwar kameez consists of, however, the traditional salwar kameez has evolved through generations, blending the classic and the contemporary. Keeping the essence of the attire rooted in tradition, the Indian salwar kameez has today been adapted to modern styles. With so many options available to us, it becomes challenging to select one for that perfect occasion. Here’s a comprehensive guide that will help you choose the perfect Indian salwar kameez for that perfect occasion.
Explore Various Indian Salwar Kameez Styles
Straight-cut salwar kameez: As the name suggests, these salwar kameez offer a clean and sleek look, and consist of a trouser-like straight pant, a kurta that falls straight, and a dupatta. It is the most common kind of salwar kameez, made from fabrics like cotton, linen, polyester, and silk. It offers a minimal and subtle aura and looks best when paired with dainty and delicate jewellery. It is a perfect office wear and casual wear that has become a go-to outfit for modern women.
Palazzo Salwar Kameez: A modern twist to the classics, the Indian salwar kameez is now improved to match your desire for comfort. The palazzo, a kind of salwar, is a wide-legged and flowy pant, that is paired with a kurti, long or short, and completed with a dupatta. It is available in fabrics like cotton, georgette, chiffon, and rayon; making them ideal for formal as well as semi-formal and casual events. It often comes with minimal embroidery and prints, offering a sophisticated look.
Pakistani Salwar Kameez:A classic Indian salwar kameez borrowed from tradition is the Pakistani salwar suit. Adorned with beautiful embroidery and embellishments, these suits are perfect for weddings, receptions, and festivals. They are available in silk, georgette, net, chiffon, cotton, and polyester fabrics; and can be paired with statement jewellery pieces to complement the outfit. They offer a sophisticated and elegant look.
Punjabi suits: Also called the Patiala salwar kameez, these suits have a unique style for their salwar. Pleated at the bottom, adding volume to the pants, these salwars are typically paired with a short kurti or kameez. They are made with fabrics like cotton, silk, and georgette; and have intricate embroidery over them, like the phulkari or mirror work. It is a popular casual wear, and these suits are also adorned at festivals and weddings.
Sharara Salwar Kameez: A staple traditional outfit that is adapted to modern style, and most commonly worn for weddings, reception, and other grand occasions, is the sharara suit. With flared and flowing salwar, paired with a kameez with embellishments and heavy embroidery, the sharara suit exudes glamour. It looks best when crafted with fabrics like organza, silk, georgette, and net; and complemented with statement jewellery pieces.
Anarkali suits: The queen of Indian salwar kameez, the Anarkali salwar suits are among the majestic collection of salwar kameez. Characterized by long, flowy, and umbrella-like silhouettes, its kameez is the show stealer. It is paired with a trouser or a chunni, and the look is completed with an elegant dupatta. Anarkali Salwar Kameez are often made out of a variety of fabrics like cotton, silk, or georgette. They are also made out of velvet and net for those grand occasions like weddings and parties.
Tips to Style Your Indian Salwar Kameez
- Mix and Match: The Indian salwar kameez is a versatile outfit; taking full advantage of this quality, you can mix, and match the clothes and create multiple outfits. For example, pairing a printed kurta with a plain chunni, or wearing a monochrome kurta and salwar and completing the outfit with a heavy dupatta. In such times, try and balance the silhouette, like pairing a tight salwar with a long and flowy kameez, and wide-legged flared salwars with a short and tight kameez.
- Dupatta Dazzle: There is nothing like a well-draped dupatta; it is the hook or crook by which an outfit looks. For formal occasions, pin your dupatta nicely at one shoulder, and for those casual events play around with it. You can drape it over your neck, on the hands, or tuck it at the sides.
- Accessories: If you want to opt for an ethnic look, opt for jhumkas, chokers, maang tika, Kundan, and anklets to enhance your look. For a more formal look, you can choose statement jewellery, delicate earrings, neckpieces, and more.
A wardrobe essential, the salwar kameez has been found in every woman’s closet. Its elegance and versatility are what has remained constant throughout the years and many more to come! What are you waiting for – add these attired to your closet now!!!
