The kurta is a loose-fitting, collarless shirt originating from the Middle East, with a shorter version called a kurti worn by women. It is typically worn with loose-fitting trousers and can be casual or formal, made from materials such as cotton, silk, or heavy silk with embellishments. The style became popular in the 1960s and 1970s and has recently re-entered the fashion scene.
A kurta is a very loose fitting shirt, similar to a tunic. It is a traditional and unisex garment that originates from the Middle Eastern countries. A shorter version worn only by women is called a kurti. Other countries like Sri Lanka, the United Kingdom and Canada refer to the kurta as a Panjabi. The word “kurta” is of Persian origin and literally means “collarless shirt”.
A traditional kurta is collarless and falls to the knee of the wearer. The sleeves are also loose fitting and hang at the wrists without constricting. The main piece of the kurta is simply constructed of two rectangular pieces of cloth, one for the front and one for the back. They usually open up the front with buttons or ties in the middle of the garment or just to the side. Occasionally, some styles feature buttons or zippers at the shoulder seam instead of down the center.
Despite its long length, the kurta or kurti is always worn with some kind of bottom. It can be worn with loose-fitting trousers of similar material called pajamas or salwars, and can be worn with tighter-fitting trousers called churidars. It is even acceptable to wear kurtas with jeans. This style is especially popular with women. Kurtas have generally not included collars at all, but in recent years, a standing Mandarin-style collar has been added to some styles purely for aesthetic reasons.
Kurtas can be quite casual or very formal depending on the material they are made from and how they are decorated. Summer casual kurtas are made of fine cotton or silk. Wool kurtas provide extra warmth for the winter months. Formal kurtas can be made of luxurious material such as heavy silk and can include embellishments such as elaborate embroidery and beading, especially around the hem and the opening at the front of the shirt. Removable cufflink-style buttons are sometimes worn for formal occasions as well. Many South Asian tailors specialize in custom kurta designs.
The style became popular around the world in the 1960s and 1970s, as Middle Eastern cultures were embraced as part of the hippie movement. Kurtas were not seen much in the 1980s and early 1990s beyond normal traditional wear. They began to re-enter the fashion scene in the late 1990s and early 21st century.
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