Glossary: South Asian Styles, from A to Z
Ajrak (Pakistan): A block-printing technique from Sindh, Ajrak is used in shawls, dupattas, and dresses, known for its geometric patterns and indigo color palette.
Anarkali (India, Pakistan): This is a long, flowy dress-like kameez, often heavily embroidered, paired with fitted churidar pants. It’s named after the famous Mughal-era dancer Anarkali and has a regal, flattering silhouette.
Banarasi Silk (India): Originating from Varanasi, this type of silk is known for its rich texture and detailed gold and silver brocade work, often worn at weddings. South Asian fashion heavily uses silk for festive and formal occasions, especially in sarees, lehengas, and salwar kameez.
Bandhani (India): A tie-dye textile art form from Gujarat and Rajasthan. Bandhani sarees and dupattas are recognized for their bright colors and intricate patterns.
Choli (India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Nepal): A choli is a traditional, fitted blouse typically paired with garments like a saree or lehenga, covering the upper body while leaving the midriff exposed in most styles. Cholis are an essential part of traditional South Asian women’s attire and come in a variety of styles, fabrics, and designs.
Chunni/Dupatta (India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Nepal): A chunni, or dupatta, is an elegant scarf made from lightweight fabrics like silk or chiffon, often adorned with embroidery or prints. It can be draped over the shoulders or wrapped around the body, enhancing traditional outfits like sarees and lehengas.
Churidar pants (India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Nepal): Churidars are tight-fitting pants that are narrow around the legs, unlike the loose salwar. They are cut longer than the leg so that they wrinkle or gather around the ankles. The fabric is often made of stretchy materials like cotton or lycra blends, which allow for a snug, comfortable fit despite their form-fitting design.
Kaftan (India, Pakistan, Bangladesh): A kaftan is a loose, flowing garment with long sleeves and a relaxed silhouette, made from lightweight fabrics like cotton or silk. Popular for its comfort, it features decorative elements like embroidery and prints. Originating in the Middle East, the kaftan reached India during the Mughal era in the 16th century, where it was adopted by royalty and adapted with local designs. Today, kaftans are versatile pieces worn for casual and formal occasions, blending cultural heritage with modern style.
Kanjivaram (India): Hailing from Tamil Nadu, Kanjivaram silk sarees are famous for their durability, richness, and bright hues, typically worn on special occasions like weddings and festivals.
Kurta (India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh): The kurta is a traditional, long, loose-fitting tunic worn by both men and women in South Asia. It is typically knee-length or longer, with long or short sleeves, and can be styled in various ways depending on the occasion and region. The kurta is often worn with a variety of bottoms, such as salwar (baggy pants), churidar (tight-fitting pants), leggings, or even jeans for a more modern, fusion look.
Lehenga Choli (India, Pakistan): Often worn for weddings and festive occasions, the lehenga is a long, pleated skirt paired with a fitted blouse (choli) and dupatta. Richly decorated with embroidery, beadwork, and sequins, the lehenga choli exudes grandeur.
Patiala pants (India): A traditional Indian garment known for their loose, baggy fit and pleated design, patiala pants originate from Punjab. They are typically made from lightweight fabrics and are often paired with a kameez (tunic). Featuring a wide flare at the bottom, patiala pants offer comfort and style, making them popular for casual wear and festive occasions.
Phulkari (India, Pakistan): A traditional embroidery technique from Punjab, Phulkari is used in shawls, dupattas, and headscarves, featuring colorful, floral embroidery.
Salwar Kameez (India, Pakistan, Bangladesh): A combination of a long tunic (kameez) and baggy pants (salwar), this outfit is versatile and popular for everyday wear or special occasions. Variations like the churidar (tighter fitting pants) and palazzo pants are common. The look is often completed with a matching dupatta (scarf).
Saree (India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka): The saree is an elegant, unstitched piece of cloth, usually between 5-9 yards in length, draped over the body in various styles. It is typically paired with a blouse and petticoat. Sarees come in a variety of fabrics like silk, cotton, chiffon, and georgette, and are often adorned with intricate embroidery, embellishments, and motifs.
Shalwar Kameez (Pakistan): In Pakistan, the salwar kameez is the national dress for women, with a focus on modesty. Women often wear it with long sleeves and a dupatta for formal and casual wear. The designs can range from simple to highly embellished.
Sherwani (India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Sri Lanka): The sherwani is a formal, coat-like attire that emerged in Northern India during the Mughal period. It is commonly worn by men during weddings and other formal celebrations.
Zari (India): a Zari is an intricate gold or silver thread used to decorate fabrics, particularly in traditional garments like sarees, lehengas, and kurtas. Zari work is especially popular in festive and bridal wear, adding a touch of opulence and grandeur to the outfits.Zardozi (India): A type of heavy, elaborate embroidery similar to zari, zardozi uses gold and silver threads, along with pearls, beads, and sequins, to create ornate designs on fabrics. Zardozi embroidery is used on sarees, lehengas, sherwanis, and other formal attire, making it a hallmark of luxury in South Asian fashion.
