When it comes to staying connected and engaged with our communities at home and abroad, fashion and traditional styles can make a big difference. Many classic pieces of clothing utilize the skills of artisans from centuries past, and bold and unique outfits represent the joy, creativity, and celebrations of a culture or people.
That’s why our team here at Lashkaraa is so excited to carry a wide inventory of the pieces that remind you of home, no matter where your journey might lead. We carry clothes for the whole family, from kids to parents, women to men, and we’re here to share all you need to know about purchasing the best pieces for the next big event or occasion.
One such piece you won’t want to miss is the salwar suit, typically worn by women and available in many different styles and designs. It speaks to a long history of travel, cultural exchange, and artistry and is perfect for both special events and more casual ones. You can begin designing and measuring for your salwar suit with the support of Lashkaraa today.
What Is a Salwar Suit?
The salwar suit is one of the fascinating pieces you’ll find in South Asian fashion, especially given its style evolution throughout the years. Most traditionally, it is worn by women, but there are some cultures where salwar suits are created for men, as well.
The term salwar refers to the trouser part of the multi-piece outfit. It typically has a kameez on top, and a dupatta, or long scarf, brings the total outfit together.
A kameez is a long shirt or tunic that is stitched to the waist. It’s usually left open for comfort and ease of movement. The ends of the kameez may be short, going down to the waist or the knees, or they may be ankle-length, depending on the style of the outfit.
The salwars of the salwar suit are a pair of trousers which are typically wider at the waist than they are at the ankle, where they taper. They are a very versatile piece, which can be produced loose and comfortable or tight and form-fitting. You’ll be able to find salwar suits in many different colors and styles, with elaborate beadwork, threadwork, mirror decorations, and more.
The salwar suit is also known as a salwar kurta or a Punjabi suit, partially because it has undergone so many changes and evolutions over time. Explore your different options for salwar suit styles and designs at Lashkaraa today.
How To Measure for a Salwar Suit
And, of course, we want to make sure you find the perfect salwar suit to both fit your style and you! Here are some top tips for measuring for your next salwar suit:
Take Your Bust Measurement First
The fit of the salwar suit often depends on where your kameez falls on your body, especially since it opens at the waist and flows downward. How your kameez sits around the bust will affect its length and how comfortable you feel when you wear it.
To measure the bust for your kameez, wrap the measuring tape around the largest part of the bust, which will also account for the widest part of the back. Simply move the measuring tape horizontally around the body and write down your bust measurement.
Decide on Your Length
A salwar suit can have a kameez of many different lengths and styles. This can affect the fabrics and adornments you use and the way the final product looks on your body. When measuring for your salwar suit, decide how long you want the kameez to be and where on your body you want the bottom of the kameez to fall for maximum comfort and style.
To do this, you’ll want to bring the measuring tape down from the shoulder and compare endpoint options. Make sure to pass over the largest part of the bust when deciding on length to get an accurate measurement.
Measure Your Knees (Loosely)
There are many different measurements required to make a salwar suit that really fits your personality and style, including the area around the knees. Even if you’re interested in a more form-fitting salwar design, you want to give yourself a little extra room for movement around the knees. This allows for maximum comfort and range during use.
Salwar suits are designed for versatility and comfort. By giving yourself extra fabric around the knees, you can dance, celebrate, and create with nothing holding you back.
Account for High Heels
If you’re having a salwar suit made for a special occasion, you want to make sure that it matches with the rest of the outfit. That means it’s a good idea to bring your day-of shoes to the appointment or measure for length while wearing them.
High heels can really change the way your kameez falls and how long the outfit is. You want to make sure you’re showing off your style to the best possible advantage. By walking in your heels before the big, you can also get used to the feel. Breaking in the shoes can help prevent any blisters (or tripping incidents) during a party.
Consider Your Fabric
You have many options when it comes to fabric for your salwar suit, which means it’s easy to customize and personalize your look for different events and occasions. That said, certain fabrics sit differently on the body, and some fabrics have give, whereas others do not.
Additionally, consider the weight of the fabric and whether it will sit or fall. Both can affect how long you want to make your kameez and even how form-fitting your salwar bottoms should be.
Fabric can play a significant role in the way that our favorite outfit feels, which is why you always want to account for fabric weight and strength during the design and measuring process. Fabric can also make the outfit more appropriate for specific seasons or time of day. Heavier fabrics like velvet can help keep you warm, while lightweight fabrics like silk keep you cool in the hot summer.
Use careful consideration when picking out your perfect fabric to create a salwar suit that really works for your needs.
Embellishments and Décor
Another factor to think about when measuring for your salwar suit is the addition of décor and embellishments. Certain embellishments, like beadwork and mirror work, can add notable weight to the kameez and salwar trousers. Mirror work may also affect what kind of fabric you pick for the job.
Think about where you envision those embellishments going, like around the waist, neckline, or hem, and how heavy the suit will feel when completed. If you’re planning to wear your salwar suit to a special event or occasion, review the dress code when determining the amount of embellishments to add.
Embellishments are also a good point of reference for matching jewelry and accessories with your outfit. Look over the pieces you already have in your collection to see if there might be a good match. You’ll also want to think about how you’re decorating the dupatta and the best ways to make your dupatta match the rest of your salwar suit.
Tradition in the Modern World
A salwar suit is one of the most beautiful and versatile pieces you can add to your wardrobe, and it comes from a long legacy of innovation, creativity, comfort, and beauty. It’s a multi-piece outfit made up of the salwar bottom trousers, a kameez that opens at the waist and may be as long or as short as you please, and a long scarf known as a dupatta.
Salwar suits are traditionally worn by women, but there are some cultures and regions where men wear variations of them, as well.
Since salwar suits have undergone so many unique evolutions and iterations over time, you want to take extra care when designing and measuring for your salwar suit, just to be sure that it fits properly when the time comes.
That means starting with the bust measurement, deciding on the length (while wearing your high heels if that’s the plan), considering fabric choice and decorations, and leaving room at the knees for maximum comfort.
You’ll find elegant and beautiful salwar suits here at Lashkaraa, as well as a team dedicated to measuring and matching you with the perfect ensemble. We carry a wide collection of traditional outfits and pieces with modern twists, perfect for the whole family, including salwar suits in a wide variety of colors and styles.
Begin the measuring and designing process for your salwar suit with the support of Lashkaraa today.
Sources:
Why Connecting to Culture and Identity is Now More Important Than Ever | Vogue Arabia
How to Measure Yourself Accurately for the Perfect Fit | Good Housekeeping
Everything you need to know about the ancient craft of mirror work | Vogue India