Shalwar Kameez is the popular and traditional dress of men and women of South Asia. This dress is also worn in some states of Central Asia. Shalwar Kameez or Shalwar Qameez is long attire which normally goes below the knees. For men it is a two piece dress, shalwar (trousers) with Kameez (Long tunic shirt) and for women it is a three piece dress, i-e Shalwar (trousers also known as the pajama), Kameez (top which is also known as kurta) with Duppata (Scarf). This is the national dress of Pakistan and Afghanistan.
According to the historians, this dress was introduced by the invaders from Central Asia during their warrior activities in the Indian sub continent. With the passage of time, Shalwar Kameez became the most popular outfit which is now used by a large population of Pakistan, Afghanistan and India.
Shalwar Kameez has gone through many variations especially during the last century. In the start of the twentieth century, the women usually wore a short Kameez that was somewhere between the hip and the knee. The Shalwar then was widely flared with a narrow horizontal band at the end. But after 1970’s Shalwar Kameez was introduced with numerous designs and stitched on tremendous patterns. During the summer, Shalwar Kameez is liked in silk and in cool cotton fabric. While in winter Satins and heavy brocade work is applied on Shalwar Kameez.
For men, Shalwar Kameez is wide spread from top to bottom in which the Kameez is kept very loose with full sleeves, cuff from front sleeve part and wide collar with pocket on front left side. The length of Kameez or Kurta is usually up to or more than knee. There are long slits on both sides. Normally it is straight from chest to bottom. There is a strap on front with 3-4 buttons after collar. The Shalwar is wide and long up to feet with wide bottom. The men prefer Shalwar Kameez having pockets on both sides.
Shalwar Kameez, the popular dress in South Asia is considered as an easy and comfortable attire as compare to the other traditional dress known as Sari or Saree. The Shalwar is comparatively easier to carry out so this dress is preferred and is a favorite among the younger generation. Crepe, cotton, silk, georgette and even jute and khadi are materials that are preferred while choosing a Shalwar Kameez. On the festive occasions, people love to wear Shalwar Kameez which are often enriched with beads, threads and zari work. In men this dress is also very much popular and nowadays the Kameez or Kurtas are adorned by tremendous embroidery and sequence work.