Guides: sizes, fabrics and what to wear
Simple answers about Pakistani and Indian clothes: sizes, fabrics, what to wear when, and how ordering on WhatsApp works.
Kurti & Suit Size Guide: How to Measure
Kurti and suit sizes change from one brand to the next, so a medium from one label can fit like a large from another. This guide shows how to measure yourself or a kurti you already own, what numbers like 38 or 42 mean, and the real chest, hips and length of the pieces in this shop, size by size.
Read the guidePakistani vs Indian Suits: What's the Difference?
Pakistani and Indian suits share a family tree, so it's no surprise they get mixed up. Both are a long shirt worn with trousers and usually a dupatta. The differences are in the details: how long the shirt is, which trousers come with it, the fabrics and the names. Here is a plain guide from Shagufta, a Pakistani seller in Jersey City whose buyers are mostly Indian.
Read the guideKurti vs Kurta: What's the Difference?
Kurti and kurta sound almost the same, and shops often use both words for one piece. There is a difference, though, and it mostly comes down to length, fit and who wears it. Here's how to tell them apart, where kurta sets and tunic tops fit in, and what to wear with each one.
Read the guideKurta Set vs Salwar Kameez: Indian and Pakistani Outfit Names Explained
Shopping for desi clothes means learning a lot of names for what can look like the same outfit. A kurta set, a salwar kameez and a Pakistani 2-piece suit overlap a great deal, and the words change between Delhi, Lahore and New Jersey. This guide explains each name in plain English, from kurti to co-ord set, and ends with a table you can check while you shop.
Read the guideWhat to Wear to an Indian or Pakistani Wedding as a Guest
Invited to an Indian or Pakistani wedding and not sure what to wear? You're not alone, and the good news is that guests are almost always welcome in desi clothes, whatever their background. This guide goes through each event, the colors to wear and skip, modest cuts, fabrics for the season, and finding party wear in plus sizes.
Read the guideWhat to Wear to a Nikah or Walima as a Guest
A nikah and a walima are the two Islamic parts of a Pakistani wedding, and they call for different outfits. The nikah is a religious ceremony, so modesty comes first. The walima is the reception hosted by the groom's family, and guests dress up. Here is what happens at each, how to wear a dupatta over your head, which colors and fabrics to choose, and how to dress for a daytime or evening event.
Read the guideWhat to Wear to a Mehndi or Haldi as a Guest
A mehndi or haldi is the most relaxed and colorful part of a South Asian wedding, and what you wear should be bright, comfortable and easy to move in. Here is what guests usually wear, which colors to pick, the fabrics that cope with sitting on the floor and dancing, and how to dress for a haldi without ruining your favorite outfit.
Read the guideHow to Wear a Kurti or Salwar Kameez in Winter
A kurti or salwar kameez doesn't have to go to the back of the closet when the weather turns cold. With the right fabric and a few layers, you can wear one to work, to a dawat or to a winter wedding and still stay warm. Here's how to pick winter fabrics, layer without bulk, and pair kurtis with jeans, boots and warm leggings.
Read the guideWhat Is Lawn Fabric? Lawn vs Cotton vs Khaddar
If you have shopped for Pakistani suits, you have seen the word lawn everywhere. Lawn is a fine, light cotton made for hot weather, while khaddar is a thick, textured cotton made for winter. This guide explains what each one feels like, where plain cotton, linen and viscose fit in, and which to choose for the weather and the day you have planned.
Read the guideWhat Is Khaddar Fabric? How to Wear It in Winter
Khaddar is the fabric Pakistani brands switch to when the weather turns cold, and it is the one to look for if you want a Pakistani suit you can wear right through a US winter. This guide explains where khaddar comes from, how it feels and hangs, how it compares with lawn, linen and cotton, how to wear it in the cold months and how to look after it.
Read the guideHow to Wear a Kurti with Jeans (and Which Pants to Pick)
A kurti and jeans is one of the easiest outfits there is: comfortable, a little dressy and right for work, errands or dinner out. The trick is matching the length of the kurti to the cut of the pants. This guide covers short and long kurtis with skinny, straight and wide jeans, when to switch to palazzos, a shalwar or leggings, office looks and the shoes that finish it.
Read the guideHow to Style a Palazzo Set for Every Day, Work and Parties
A palazzo set pairs a kurti or kameez with wide, flowing palazzo pants, and it may be the most comfortable desi outfit there is. Depending on the fabric and what you wear with it, the same idea can look relaxed on a Saturday, neat at work or festive at a party. Here is how to style one for each, with shoe ideas, dupatta tips and simple advice for every body shape.
Read the guideEid Outfit Ideas for Women, and What to Wear as a Guest
Eid is the day for something new: a fresh suit for the morning, something a little dressier for visiting family, and matching outfits for the girls. Here are ideas for women, from light lawn and chiffon looks to party wear, the colors people love, and simple advice for non-Muslim friends who are invited to an Eid party or dinner.
Read the guideWhat to Wear for Diwali: Outfit Ideas for Women
Diwali runs over five days of lights, sweets and visits, and each part calls for a slightly different outfit. Here are simple ideas for women for the puja at home, a Diwali party, an office celebration and a family dinner, with the colors and fabrics that feel festive, how to add a dupatta, and what to wear if you are a guest who isn't Indian.
Read the guideWhat to Wear to a Dawat (a Dinner at Someone's Home)
A dawat is an invitation to eat at someone's home, from a quiet dinner with neighbors to a full house on Diwali or Eid. It is less formal than a wedding but dressier than a trip to the store, and your outfit has to cope with sofas, floor cushions, curry and children. Here is how to dress smart but comfortable, what works for sitting and eating, when to bring a dupatta, and what to put the kids in.
Read the guideWhat Is Chikankari? A Simple Guide to Chikankari Kurtis
Chikankari is the fine, airy embroidery you see on soft summer kurtis: tiny stitches, little raised knots and shadowy flowers. It comes from Lucknow in northern India, and Indian and Pakistani women both love it for warm weather. This guide explains what chikankari is, how to recognize real hand work, how to style it, what to wear under a sheer piece and how to care for it.
Read the guideHow to Wear a Dupatta with a Suit, Kurti or Dress
A dupatta is the long scarf that completes a salwar kameez, and it is also the easiest way to change how a kurti or even a Western dress looks. You don't need to be an expert to wear one well. Here are simple drapes, which fabric suits which occasion, ideas for Western clothes, and how to style a dupatta as a wedding guest.
Read the guideHow to Wash Lawn, Chikankari and Silk Kurtis at Home
Indian and Pakistani clothes are not hard to look after, but they do like gentle handling. Hot water, a hot dryer and strong sun are what fade prints, shrink viscose and flatten embroidery. Follow these simple steps for lawn and cotton suits and for chikankari, silk and viscose kurtis, and your favorite pieces will keep their color and shape for many seasons.
Read the guide
