What is Pakistani Eastern Wear? A Complete Guide for International Shoppers

Pakistani eastern wear has a charm with its beautiful cuts, embroidered suits, amazing and breathable fabric, and the combination of modernism and heritage. Pakistan offers a huge variety of desi wear to international shoppers.

If someone is trying to explore Pakistani clothes for women for the first time, some terms are going to confuse you.

What’s the difference between a kurta and a kameez? What does “unstitched” mean? Which fabric works in which season? And how do you pick the right size when you are ordering as an international shopper?

In this blog, you’ll get all the answers to your questions that are related to Pakistani ethnic wear.

What defines Pakistani eastern wear?

Clothing styles that are originated and influenced by the cultural traditions of Pakistan are termed as Pakistani eastern wear.

The most unique feature of Pakistani fashion is the combo of Pakistani traditional dresses with beautiful prints, amazing work and topical cuts.

The primary clothing item of Pakistani traditional wear is the shalwar kameez. The long and loose upper garment, which is typically opened along the sides, is called a kameez. This is usually paired with a loose lower garment known as a shalwar.

With the passage of time, the traditional attire of Pakistan is modernizing according to the latest fashion. And now you can find a lot more options in South Asian clothing.

Pakistani clothes for women can range from breathable and soft lawn outfits for daily use to embroidered suits that you can gracefully carry on occasions.

Where did these Styles Originate?

Pakistani fashion has such a wide variety of clothing because every city, every culture and every province of Pakistan has its own style that adds different colors, designs and cuts to the traditional attire.

The designs of Pakistani traditional wear basically originated from the vast traditions of the subcontinent over time; Pakistani outfits evolved according to modern designs as a result these classy designs and cuts are admired by the globe.  In my opinion if you’re an international buyer and want to have a treasure then Pakistani traditional dresses are that treasure of modest fashion that shouldn’t be missed.

What are the Main Types of Outfits?

As an international shopper to understand the variety of Pakistani clothes for women you have to know the main types of outfits present in Pakistani fashion. Generally the kind of garment changes with the season but the type of outfit remains the same in every season.

Shalwar Kameez

Shalwar kameez is the basic and the most traditional type of eastern wear for women. Kameez is a loose and long top and shalwar is a loose bottom. A dupatta is also carried with shalwar kameez to add more grace to the look.

After the modernization, Pakistani designers are adding more varieties to the desi wear like short kameez, sleeveless shirts, cigarette pants, straight trousers, wide-leg bottoms, etc.

Kurta

A kurta is a long or medium-sized top that can be paired with a shalwar, straight trousers, pants or any bottom. For international shoppers, kurta is a great option to go with because it is very easy to style and makes you look classy during your daily routine.

Three-piece Suits

A three-piece suit consists of a loose top, generally having cuts on the sides called kameez with a long loose bottom which is termed as shalwar and a long piece of fabric called dupatta as a third piece.

A three-piece suit can be available in any garment like lawn, chiffon, organza, silk with or without embroidery according to the occasion.

Two-piece Suits

The type of eastern wear women that do not contain a dupatta is termed as a Two-piece suit. This type of clothing is especially for those women who do not need a dupatta yet they want to adopt a traditional look.

Two-piece suits are the best option for international shoppers to wear on a daily basis as they are much more comfortable and breathable, especially for summer in a lawn type of garment.

Stitched vs Unstitched

What are Stitched and Unstitched outfits? And honestly this question is the basic cause of confusion for international shoppers.

Stitched outfit is ready to wear; you just need to purchase it and put it on. Contrarily, an unstitched outfit is made up of three pieces of fabric; a shirt, trousers, and sometimes a dupatta that you buy and then take to a tailor to have sewn in accordance with your selected style and size. Stitched clothing is the best choice if you want to avoid the trouble of tailoring, but unstitched fabric is an option if you have access to a skilled tailor.

Popular Fabrics

In my view, as someone who shops internationally, understanding the fundamental differences between common fabric types is very important. To be honest, this knowledge really helps in choosing the right fabric for each season.

Lawn

Lawn is a fabric that people prefer to wear during the severe hot season of summer to sooth themselves a bit from heat. Lawn outfits are basically available in printed designs, but the Pakistani market also offers varieties of embroidery and various types of laces on lawn suits. As an international shopper, if you are new here in the Pakistani market and want something to wear on a daily basis in summer and intense heat, lawn outfits are the best choice for you.

Chiffon

Chiffon is literally the most lightweight and soft fabric; it is generally used in dupattas and embroidered outfits that you can carry on different traditional events and honestly it makes the look more classy and elegant.

Organza

Organza has a crisper, more elegant look than chiffon. This is not to say organza is not lightweight. It is lighter but not as silky and drippy. In embroidered suits, decorative panels and showing dupattas Organza is typically being used.

Cotton and other everyday materials

People in Pakistan want comfort and decency both at the same time so that they prefer to wear cotton-based outfits in summer because these outfits are very soft and breathable.

But you can also choose fabrics like silk, linen, velvet or cambric according to the weather.

How to choose by occasion?

When you choose your outfit according to your occasion and not design it’ll become an easy task for you.

Everyday wear

In the summer season, it is advisable to choose clothing that is breathable and lightweight, such as cotton or lawn fabrics.

Shalwar kameez or a modest kurta paired with straight trousers, pants or any bottom would be a good choice for daily wear.

Work and professional settings

During the work and professional settings, you should wear outfits that look decent, comfy and should match the office environment.

You can wear a kurta paired with pants, trousers or any bottom of your choice. A two-piece Pakistani eastern wear set would also be a good choice to carry in a professional environment or in a daily routine.

The colors should be neutral and solid like white, grey, beige or navy.

Family gatherings and dinners

Family gatherings and dinners are the places where you can go with a little bit of embroidered and textured outfits. And if you add a dupatta in your outfit as well it will enhance the final look more than before.

This look will neither be very heavily embellished formal attire, nor be a casual attire and to be honest, it is going to be the most subtle look of yourself in a family gathering.

Festive occasions

On festive occasions, you can go with vibrant and bright-colored Pakistani traditional dresses embellished with chikankaari, Resham, Tilla or Thread work.

It will add cultural and ethnic vibe to your overall appearance.

Weddings and formal events

In Pakistan weddings are not only an event it is a complete vibe and Your outfit? Your outfit is going to create that vibe. As an international shopper if you want to create the same vibe as well, you have to buy formal Pakistani traditional wear.

At Bin Tayyab we offer you a vast variety of formal wear, designed to make you stand out and shine at any event.

How does international sizing work?

International sizing alters from brand to brand, so the thing is you should always rely on the measurements of the garments instead of simple S, M, L or XL tags on the outfits.

In the case of stitched products, all the measurements are generally mentioned in the product description. You should read the description box, especially the measurements, before buying as an international shopper.

But if you are buying an unstitched outfit then sizing works differently because you can alter it according to your will by taking it to your tailor.

A simple sizing checklist

Before placing an order as an international buyer for a Pakistani traditional wear make sure to do these things prior to it.

•  Take a regular measuring tape and start measuring yourself.

•   Now open the size chart of the brand and try to compare your measurements with it.

•   Must check if the measurements in the size chart are in inches or centimeters.

• You should pay heed to the garment’s length especially if you’re taller or shorter than average.

• Do not forget to check the return and exchange policy of the brand before placing an order.

• Never think that the sizes of UK, US, Europe or any other foreign country are the same as Pakistan.

• You should go for the safest option that is comparing your own measurements with the brand's size chart.

Shopping Pakistani clothes for women internationally

When you are unaware of South Asian clothing and want to buy some Desi wear for you, then do not just rely on the image of a product.

The image is only going to indicate what is the color and design of the product and what are the components that are included in that outfit.

So you should always carefully read the description, size chart, return and exchange policy and care instructions of the product before buying it as an international buyer.

We at Bin Tayyab are offering many varieties crafted to help the people that are the explorers of Pakistani desi wear across different styles and events.

Are you trying to find a casual and breathable outfit that you can wear in your routine? Do you need a matching outfit? Something heavily embellished. Need to attend a family dinner? Or want something to wear at a wedding? I got you.

Just visit Bin Tayyab’s collections, browsing by category will save your time and help you find out the exact outfit that will match your vibe.

FAQ’s

 What is Pakistani eastern wear?

The type of clothing that reflects the real heritage and culture of Pakistan is Pakistani eastern wear. It commonly includes shalwar kameez along with dupatta.

 What is the difference between stitched and unstitched Pakistani clothes?

Stitched Pakistani clothes are ready to wear. You just have to buy your outfit and can wear it right after the purchase but unstitched outfits contain pieces of fabric that you need to take to your tailor to be stitched.

Which fabric of Pakistani clothing is best for summer?

In Pakistan people wear fabrics like cotton or lawn as they are exceptionally soft, lightweight and breathable. You can choose your fabric according to your choice or condition of weather.

 What is a dupatta used for?

Dupatta is the third component of a Pakistani traditional outfit that adds more coverage, style, colors and traditional vibes to your look.

Can Pakistani outfits be worn outside Pakistan?

Yes. You can wear Pakistani outfits outside Pakistan for everyday dressing, cultural and traditional events, weddings or for other occasions as well.

Final Thoughts

Pakistani eastern wear is not only ethnic clothing style but a representation of a living fashion heritage. A heritage where comfort, classy designs, decency and modesty comes together.

As an international shopper when you will learn the basics like the difference between a kameez and a kurta, a trouser and a shalwar, stitched and unstitched, the basic types of garments like lawn, chiffon, organza you will become a pro in shopping Pakistani desi outfits.

Whether you are trying Pakistani outfits for the first time or already a desi wear fan, your goal is the same just make it yours.

Choose the outfit according to your occasion and fit and do check the measurements before. Pick what feels right to you.

At the end of the day, Pakistani ethnic wear is less about the styles or designs and more about the heritage, elegance and you.