Current Trends in Salwar Kameez for Women

Salwar Kameez for Women: Features, Size Chart and Fashion Trends

R.S. Balakumar
Associate Professor
Dept of Fashion Design and Arts
Hindustan University, Chennai, India
Email: rsbalakumar1953@gmail.com

Introduction
The salwar kameez is the present Indian women’s outfit in olden days as well as the present time also worn by Punjabi women of North India. Majority of all the states of Indian women of all age group showing their interest to wear this dress more safe and protective and utility purposes. This dress is included a pair of trousers (lower torso) known as the salwar and a tunic (upper torso) is called the kameez. As an upper part to be covered with the dupatta as needful purpose.

In, Pakistan this dress is considered to be the National dress. After the arrival of Muslims during the thirteenth century salwar kameez dress slowly introduced and gradually spreaded over the region especially in Punjab region and now worn widely in India, Bangladesh, Ceylon, Indonesia, Philippines, China and some parts of the United Kingdom and United States of America.

The shalwar are loose pajama like trousers. The legs are wide at the top with nore pleats, and considerably narrow at the ankle. The kameez is a long shirt or tunic, kurthis, tops, often common with a Western-style collar; though, for female clothing, the term is now loosely applied to collarless or mandarin-collared/Chinese neck line kurtas, and kalidar kurta.

The salwar kameez is well known among Indian women as it is a very comfortable outfit which can also be used in changed weather conditions. It is also a very beautiful outfit which can be used at formal events, work place, dinner or even parties.

Features of the Salwar Kameez
Usually, the salwar trousers are tailored to be long and loose-fitting with narrow hems above the ankles that are stitched to look like stiffed cuffs with interlining is placed with 3 inches wider.

The kameez is the (upper torso) tops up to knee length to sometimes till mid-calf level with 6” to 8” front placket and two side pockets for utility purpose. Fashion trends decided the fitness factors are mentioned below:

1. Tight fitted,
2. Semi fitted,
3. Medium fitted and
4. Loose fitted.

Decorative neck parts may also be made with sophisticated embroidered to enhance the aesthetic appearance. Sleeves, Hems and Side slits of the portion also made with the surface ornamentations with the following:

• Mirror work,
• Aari work,
• Zardosi and
• Embroidery embellishments.

Suitable materials for spring/summer collections-

• Cotton,
• Cambric,
• Voile,
• Poplin,
• Linen and
• Long cloth

As well as any cotton fabrics with softer to medium weight, mostly suitable.

Suitable materials for autumn/winter collections-

• Silk, pure silk and artificial silk.
• Synthetic,
• Georgette,
• Crepe, and
• Lightweight wool, poly viscose, rayon, jute.

Materials (fabrics) Required for Salwar Kameez:

1. Salwar, (bottom wear): 2.50 meter, cloth width is 42” to 48”, medium fitted.
2. Salwar bottom with easy /loose fitted: 3.50 meter, cloth width is 42” to 48”.
3. Patiala salwar bottom wear medium fit: 3.50 meter, cloth width is 42” to 48”.
4. Patiala salwar bottom wear easy fit: 4.50 meter, cloth width is 42 to 48 inches.
5. Dogri salwar bottom wear easy fit: 4.50 meter, cloth width is 42 to 48 inches.
6. Dhoti salwar bottom wear easy fit: 4.00 meter, cloth width is 42 to 48 inches.
7. Kameez (tops): 2.50 meter, cloth width is 42 to 48 inches.
8. Kurthi/tops: 2.50 meter, cloth width is 42 to 48 inches.
9. Short kurthis: 2.20 meter, cloth width is 42 to 48 inches.
10. Anarkali suit: 6.50 meter, cloth width is 42 to 48 inches.
11. Churidar/bottom wear: 2.50 meter, cloth width is 42 to 48 inches. Straight cut style and cross cut style is required 3.50 meter cloth width is 42 to 48 inches.

The salwar kameez known as the Anarkali Suit mentioned after the court dancer from Lahore. Due to fashion changes and people acceptance this dress is now used in India as the celebrity dress and Evening party wear.

Punjabi salwar, Sindhi suthan, Dogri pyjama, Kashmiri suthan, Patiala salwar are also be in usage because of its ease and comfort to wear.

The following are a few of the variations of the Anarkali Suits are listed below:

1. Floor length Anarkali Suit,
2. Cape style Anarkali Suit.
3. Jacket Style Anarkali Suit.
4. Layered Style Anarkali Suit.
5. Gown Style Anarkali Suit.
6. Palazzo Style Anarkali Suit
7. Churidar Style Anarkali Suit are in usage in recent days.

Readymade sizes are as follows:

• XXXL
• XXL
• XL
• XS
• S
• M
• L

Table-1: Size chart of salwar kameez

Table-2: Size chart of Kurti

Mostly available colors are:
Blue, Pink, Orange, Grey, Yellow, White, Off white, Sandal color, Cream color, Red, Black, Violet and so on.

Neck Design and Styles are listed below:

1. Pot neck
2. Cowl neck
3. Collar with v-neck
4. Square neck
5. Scoop neck
6. Halter neck
7. V-neck
8. Asymmetrical-neck
9. Collar style-neck
10. Boat-neck
11. Round-neck
12. U-neck
13. Mandarin/Chinese collar
14. Embroidered neck
15. Dori neck
16. Sweetheart neck
17. Crew neck
18. Closed neck
19. Keyhole neck
20. Cape neck
21. Piping placket neck
22. Angrakha neck
23. Jewel neck
24. Queen anne with scoop neck
25. One shoulder neck
26. Front high neck
27. Piped neck
28. Strapless neck
29. Peterpan neck
30. Illusion neck

The Best Salwar Kameez Brands in India (2021)

1. Sangria
2. Aks
3. W for Woman
4. Aum
5. Biba
6. Rain & Rainbow
7. Bhama Couture
8. Ives
9. Raindrops
10. Indus Diva
11. Fabindia
12. Melange
13. Libas
14. Global Desi
15. Soch

You may also like: List of Top 20 Best Clothing Brands in India

Special Acceptance and Reasons of Salwar Kameez:

1. One of the most sophisticated and good-looking fashion clothing for women in India is Salwar Kameez in recent days.
2. The beginning of the cloth has its roots in Punjab, a divided north Indian state.
3. But in recent times the pattern has changed as now the fashion of wearing the salwar kameez is not only limited to Punjab but had spread in all over India.
4. In India this salwar khameez is ahead acceptance all over the globe among the Non-Indians also.
5. The style and the beauty of a woman get another level of charm while wearing this salwar-kameez suit.
6. There are three parts of the dress.
   1. Salwar, the loosely fitting pant,
   2. Kameez, the long tunic style shirt, and
   3. Dupatta, a longer version of a scarf/shawl.

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Mazharul Islam Kiron

Founder & Editor of Textile Learner. He is a Textile Consultant, Blogger & Entrepreneur. Mr. Kiron is working as a textile consultant in several local and international companies. He is also a contributor of Wikipedia.

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