Salwar Kameez Suits:

Salwar Kameez is a traditional outfit worn both in India and Pakistan. It is the national dress  in Pakistan. The word salwar is called as shalwar in Pakistan. It is also popular among women in India. The salwar kameez, or salwar suit consists of a kameez (shirt), salwar (trousers) and dopatta (scraf).

SALWAR: Salwar is a sort of loose pajama like trouser. The legs are wide at the top, and narrow at the bottom. There is a drawstring at the top of the waistband to hold up the salwar. The pants can be wide and baggy, or they can be cut quite narrow, on the bias. In the latter case, they are known as churidar pajama.

KAMEEZ: The kameez, in salwar kameez suit, is a long shirt or tunic. The side seams are left open below the navel, which gives the wearer greater freedom of movement. The word kameez is derived from the Latin camisia (shirt or tunic), from which it probably made its way into various European languages (see chemise) and also into Arabic, the likely immediate source for kameez. The kameez is usually cut straight and flat.

DUPATTA: When women wear the salwar kameez, they usually wear a long scarf or shawl called a dupatta around the head or neck. For Muslim women, the dupatta is an alternate to scarves. The dupatta is useful when the head must be covered, for hijab or for prayers.

For most women, the dupatta is simply a stylish accessory that can be worn over one shoulder or draped around the chest and over both shoulders.

In Pakistan and India, one can simply visit the local clothing store or local tailor and has a salwar kameez suit made to order. People outside India and Pakistan can order custom salwar kameez suits over the net. One can select the fabric, indicate the style features desired (type of pants, neckline style, embroidery or other decoration desired, type of sleeves, length of tunic, etc.), pays and fills out a measurement form. The prices range of salwar kameez from under $30 to $300 or above. There are also South Asian clothing stores in many larger Western cities. Some ethnic and historic sewing pattern companies sell patterns for salwar kameez, salwar, churidar, kameez, and kurta, to be purchased at fabric stores or over the net.

Why Salwar Kameez?

Comfort: Even Western women admit that salwar kameez is probably the most comfortable dress around.  salwar kameez fits you without strangling you. You can breathe easy in it.

Versatility: The salwar kameez is good in just about any weather. Granted, a shawl or sweater are required in cold weather. Salwar Kameez helps keep cool on those hot sweltering days (364 days a year in this country!) as it doesn't cling to the body.

Elegance: The wearer of the salwar kameez suit is bestowed with a graceful feminine charm. Ask anyone and they are very likely to concur.

Availability: There is definitely no shortage of salwar kameez vendors out there! On top of that, the availability of designs is mind-boggling! There are countless designs of salwar kameez and materials to choose from. You can never go wrong with it since salwar kameez suits all occasions. There are casual, formal, Indo-Western, sleeveless, and multitude of other variations for every occasion.

Sizes: The salwar kameez is one outfit which will bring out the best in you no matter what your vital statistics. A loose kameez is the perfect camouflage for those extra layers and vertical prints produce a slimming effect. A small bust can be enhanced by embroidery at the neck or other embellishments such as wooden buttons, beads or bright yokes.