A Designer Salwar Kameez Makes The Old-fashioned New
Fashion these days seems to be an ever changing whirlwind that only the most dedicated fashionistas can hope to follow. Twice a year the biggest design houses in the world come out with new lines that mean a whole new wardrobe every spring and fall, just to keep up with the times. It is not only expensive, but it means that a bi-annual closet purge must take place as well. What is much more convenient are the timeless styles that work season in and season out. Beyond the blazer and the little black dress, ethnic clothing is a way to stay fashionably dressed without breaking the bank. Ethnic styles can be flattering and attractive, but as they have to adhere to certain traditions don’t change as much as modern, Western fashions do. Today, there are many ethnic styles of clothing, such as designer salwar kameez that are taking the world by storm.
A salwar kameez is a garment that is traditionally worn in northern India, Pakistan, and Afghanistan. These days it has spread throughout the sub-continent and is making its way around the world, not only because of its attractiveness, but also because of its comfortableness. A salwar kameez is actually two different articles of clothing that are worn together. The salwar is a pair of baggy drawstring pants. They can be stitched in a variety of ways; a popular way is in a cut that might be termed harem pants.
A salwar is a long shirt that reaches to approximately the knees of the wearer. Previously the sleeves were cut out with the entire garment, but today Western inset sleeves are much more common.
From this base you can have nearly endless fashion varieties. Because there are so many different types of fabrics, designs, and cuts your salwar kameez can be a plain garment that you just wear around the house or it can be a high fashion article of clothing that will light up a red carpet or a fancy restaurant. Throughout much of South Asia, if you want to buy a salwar kameez the first thing that you do is go into a shop to pick out the fabric. Much of it has fancy work around the neck and sleeves, and sometimes even beading or sequins.
It comes in a set so that you don’t have to worry about matching it properly. Once you have the fabric picked out you go to a tailor and have him stitch it for you in the style and cut that is most flattering to your body type. If you pick out a plain cotton fabric and get a simple scoop neck and sleeves then your salwar kameez is very workaday. However, if you choose a diaphanous fabric liberally sprinkled with bead work and get it cut with a low neckline and a fitted torso, suddenly you have created evening wear.
Designer salwar kameez take those choices out the inexperienced hands of the consumer and let them be made by a professional. In South Asia you would then go into an upscale boutique and purchase a readymade salwar kameez that you could immediately take home with you. In the West, that is about the only type of salwar kameez that you will find. What is great about these garments is that while the popular colors and decorations change over the years, the basic silhouette does not and therefore you can still look your best without becoming a slave to the dictates of modern, Western fashion.
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