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Does anyone else not like the Shalwar Kameez?

Pakistanian

Pakistanian

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I find it impractical and kind of archaic, it's cultural garb that reminds Pakistan of the past and is holding it back. I think it's also not designed for the climate there, why can't desis just adopt western apparel? The Turks did that and they also happen to be among the most developed Muslim nations.
 
You are the third American Pakistani am aware who has said this, like going out of the way to disown some clothing,not sure whats the reason.
 
Hope you are talking about the men who wear it in Pakistan because women are just fine.
 
Article of clothing is holding back Pakistan?
What are you on ?
You don’t have to like or wear it but the excuse you are presenting to not like is, idiotic.
 
What does Turks adopting western apparel have to do with them being developed? Do you think there is a cause and effect relationship there? Like because they wore western clothes, they became developed?

Shalwar Kameez is definitely designed for the climate there also keeping in mind the conservative culture of the region. It is loose fitting clothing which if using the right fabric is great for breath-ability, while also protecting against direct sunlight. Arabs also have thobes which are a similar concept and benefits as they are also from hot regions with conservative culture.

This is why people in Pakistan dislike overseas Pakistanis and call us burgers. We try to impose our western upbringing on to them, when they have been living like that since forever.
 
blackanhyellow said:
What does Turks adopting western apparel have to do with them being developed? Do you think there is a cause and effect relationship there? Like because they wore western clothes, they became developed?

Shalwar Kameez is definitely designed for the climate there also keeping in mind the conservative culture of the region. It is loose fitting clothing which if using the right fabric is great for breath-ability, while also protecting against direct sunlight. Arabs also have thobes which are a similar concept and benefits as they are also from hot regions with conservative culture.

This is why people in Pakistan dislike overseas Pakistanis and call us burgers. We try to impose our western upbringing on to them, when they have been living like that since forever.
Click to expand...

Dubai is developed but I see white Thobes on every second person.
This isn’t even western upbringing, it is something else.
 
blackanhyellow said:
What does Turks adopting western apparel have to do with them being developed? Do you think there is a cause and effect relationship there? Like because they wore western clothes, they became developed?

Shalwar Kameez is definitely designed for the climate there also keeping in mind the conservative culture of the region. It is loose fitting clothing which if using the right fabric is great for breath-ability, while also protecting against direct sunlight. Arabs also have thobes which are a similar concept and benefits as they are also from hot regions with conservative culture.

This is why people in Pakistan dislike overseas Pakistanis and call us burgers. We try to impose our western upbringing on to them, when they have been living like that since forever.
Click to expand...

Shalwar Kameez just makes me feel hot, it's even worse in the Pakistani climate, you'd think our ancestors would have been smart enough to wear lighter clothes liks the Hawaiians.
 
Pakistanian said:
Shalwar Kameez just makes me feel hot, it's even worse in the Pakistani climate, you'd think our ancestors would have been smart enough to wear lighter clothes liks the Hawaiians.
Click to expand...

Dhoti and Banyan? Have you ever tried it?
 
Pakistanian said:
Shalwar Kameez just makes me feel hot, it's even worse in the Pakistani climate, you'd think our ancestors would have been smart enough to wear lighter clothes liks the Hawaiians.
Click to expand...

Why not just go tribal African and not wear clothes? Nothing lighter than that.
 
blackanhyellow said:
What does Turks adopting western apparel have to do with them being developed? Do you think there is a cause and effect relationship there? Like because they wore western clothes, they became developed?

Shalwar Kameez is definitely designed for the climate there also keeping in mind the conservative culture of the region. It is loose fitting clothing which if using the right fabric is great for breath-ability, while also protecting against direct sunlight. Arabs also have thobes which are a similar concept and benefits as they are also from hot regions with conservative culture.

This is why people in Pakistan dislike overseas Pakistanis and call us burgers. We try to impose our western upbringing on to them, when they have been living like that since forever.
Click to expand...

"Burgers" aren't overseas Pakistanis lol. "Burgers" are Pakistani born and raised rich kids that try too hard to be American.
 
yes, doesn't suit on men. It is a feminine clothing, although double pockets and shoulder loops make it slightly masculine.
 
I love it, hate Pent shirt jeanz and bala bala bala and that's why i wear shalwar kameez on daily basis, just apart from my Lab when i am working in it, obviously then i need to wear lab specified dress.

But whenever i am at home, i wear shalwar kameez.
 
Pakistanian said:
"Burgers" aren't overseas Pakistanis lol. "Burgers" are Pakistani born and raised rich kids that try too hard to be American.
Click to expand...

Kids try to be american by following their dress code and all, ,you have a problem.

Kids trying to be Pakistani by following Pakistani dress code, you have a problem.

That's confusing.
 
I don't see why western clothes are linked to development or considered "superior". I personally find shalwar kameez to be far more comfortable than tight western clothes.

If anything, this western imperialism needs to be reduced, and more countries need to look to their roots and bring back practical versions of their own clothing and identity. I am proud that Pakistan is one of the only countries that has mostly stuck to their own "clothing identity" rather than opting to turn Pakistani clothes into relics of the past, and losing Pakistan's own identity.
 
I used to think like that as a pre-teen and teenager, but it grew on me as I grew up, and now I enjoy wearing them. If you buy the right quality they are very very comfy to wear, look good, and are a symbol of our culture and identity (depending on where/how you were raised) if you want to get down and deep with it.

If anything if you wear it in the west (with style :ik) people might come up to you very intrigued and genuinely interested in what you're wearing. Sometimes they ask where they can get one since it seems trendy.
 
Last edited:
wow, and posters have made this thread regarding OP disowning his culture :facepalm:

As for topic.

I also hate shalwar Kameez. Its one of the most ridiculous dresses ever if you look at the geography of Pakistan. It doesn't suit the climate.

Temperatures reach over 40 degrees here and yet you have to wear that fully clothed dress

and you cant even go to the washroom in that dress without removing ur whole shalwar
 
Major said:
wow, and posters have made this thread regarding OP disowning his culture :facepalm:

As for topic.

I also hate shalwar Kameez. Its one of the most ridiculous dresses ever if you look at the geography of Pakistan. It doesn't suit the climate.

Temperatures reach over 40 degrees here and yet you have to wear that fully clothed dress

and you cant even go to the washroom in that dress without removing ur whole shalwar
Click to expand...

You get me
 
Hermoine Green said:
So culture development means, forget shalwar kameez or your own culture, and start following other nation's culture?
Click to expand...

To be honest with you guys, Shalwar Kameez is one of the reasons that hasnt allowed our culture to be developed.

This i have seen by few examples.

Because people in Pakistan are soo used to wearing and seeing others wear this full clothed dress, if you ever wear shorts in public, people often get offended.

This has happened many times with me. I have been stopped from entering Govt offices, Hospitals, restaurants and even cricket grounds. One of the reasons they gave me is that there are females and my outfit in shorts is inappropriate in such case.
 
Pakistanian said:
"Burgers" aren't overseas Pakistanis lol. "Burgers" are Pakistani born and raised rich kids that try too hard to be American.
Click to expand...

aah no.

"Burgers" is a name that is given to any person that doesn't try to act street smart. In Pakistan every person tries to act street smart.

If you don't act street smart and have a very respectful manner and say Thank you and act polite, you are labelled as Burger.
 
Major said:
To be honest with you guys, Shalwar Kameez is one of the reasons that hasnt allowed our culture to be developed.

This i have seen by few examples.

Because people in Pakistan are soo used to wearing and seeing others wear this full clothed dress, if you ever wear shorts in public, people often get offended.

This has happened many times with me. I have been stopped from entering Govt offices, Hospitals, restaurants and even cricket grounds. One of the reasons they gave me is that there are females and my outfit in shorts is inappropriate in such case.
Click to expand...

I wore shorts the whole time I was in Pakistan last summer. Never got stopped, never got asked.
 
Pakistani girls can look fine ah in shalwar kameez but for men it's just doesn't look as good.
 
Major said:
To be honest with you guys, Shalwar Kameez is one of the reasons that hasnt allowed our culture to be developed.

This i have seen by few examples.

Because people in Pakistan are soo used to wearing and seeing others wear this full clothed dress, if you ever wear shorts in public, people often get offended.

This has happened many times with me. I have been stopped from entering Govt offices, Hospitals, restaurants and even cricket grounds. One of the reasons they gave me is that there are females and my outfit in shorts is inappropriate in such case.
Click to expand...

Where did this happen? I always wear shorts in Karachi, and it's has never happened to me, nor anyone I know.
 
The only time I wear Shalwar kameez is on Eid. Once a year, that's it.
 
Only thing worse then shalwar kameez is the pheran - a really baggy feminine looking gown.
 
hussain.r97 said:
Where did this happen? I always wear shorts in Karachi, and it's has never happened to me, nor anyone I know.
Click to expand...

Pindi and Islamabad.

Karachi might be different, but this how the rest of the country is
 
Most comfortable dress there is, love it. Lol at people saying it’s not suitable for Pakistani climate. You can tailor it as you want and it can be adjusted to any climate.

I have used jeans and western clothes for over 30 years and these clothes can not match the comfort of Shalwar Kameez.
 
humzy said:
So you are all for pushing male culture forward but not female?
Click to expand...

I'm all for women choosing how they dress. I just find shalwar kameez more aesthetically appealing on them but not that it was the only looking attire or that it's better than western clothes.
 
I would copy paste what I said about shalwar kameez a few months back:

“Shalwar kameez is comfortable but impractical. Making trips to the toilet is a big problem, and good luck when you lose your naara. I have cut down on it considerably over the last few years. I tend to wear it on Eid only these days.

I hope this outdated outfit dies soon. Yes it is cultural, but it has no place in this fast-paced world. You won't see any Romans walking around in their togas today.”
 
Mamoon said:
I would copy paste what I said about shalwar kameez a few months back:

“Shalwar kameez is comfortable but impractical. Making trips to the toilet is a big problem, and good luck when you lose your naara. I have cut down on it considerably over the last few years. I tend to wear it on Eid only these days.

I hope this outdated outfit dies soon. Yes it is cultural, but it has no place in this fast-paced world. You won't see any Romans walking around in their togas today.”
Click to expand...

But japanese still wear kimonos and europeans got their traditional costumes.

I think shalwar kameez should only be for special occasions but for everday wear, desis should wear western apparel like they do in the far east.
 
People do realize that they have a choice not to wear Shalwar Kameez, ya'll live in a country where you can wear women's clothing and no one would say anything. Even in Pakistan no law require you to wear shalwar kameez.
 
Pakistanian said:
I find it impractical and kind of archaic, it's cultural garb that reminds Pakistan of the past and is holding it back. I think it's also not designed for the climate there, why can't desis just adopt western apparel? The Turks did that and they also happen to be among the most developed Muslim nations.
Click to expand...
Shalwar Kameez is more designed for the climate there than western pant shirt.
 
srh said:
Shalwar Kameez is more designed for the climate there than western pant shirt.
Click to expand...

Western clothes is more than just "pent shurt" lol. There are shorts and plenty of t shirts made of a lighter fabric. There's a reason why athletes wear western clothes and not shalwar kameez.
 
A few weeks ago I was went to a cultural event and I wore something very similar to this and I was getting the "boy you fine" looks, much to the displeasure of my wife :yk (Obviously nobody can compare to how Fawad Khan pulls it off)


785529-FawadKhan-1415027714-130-640x480.JPG






Point being you can look really good in a nice fitting shalwar kameez as well and I find it to be very classy. Obviously I won't wear it on a day to day basis but I have no insecurities regarding it like Mr. OP.
 
slipcatch said:
People do realize that they have a choice not to wear Shalwar Kameez, ya'll live in a country where you can wear women's clothing and no one would say anything. Even in Pakistan no law require you to wear shalwar kameez.
Click to expand...

You do realize that people are entitled to an opinion.
 
Syed1 said:
A few weeks ago I was went to a cultural event and I wore something very similar to this and I was getting the "boy you fine" looks, much to the displeasure of my wife :yk (Obviously nobody can compare to how Fawad Khan pulls it off)


785529-FawadKhan-1415027714-130-640x480.JPG






Point being you can look really good in a nice fitting shalwar kameez as well and I find it to be very classy. Obviously I won't wear it on a day to day basis but I have no insecurities regarding it like Mr. OP.
Click to expand...

What's insecure about an opinion? Lmaoo.

I can pull a black shalwar kameez but I prefer American clothes over shalwar kameez.
 
^^^^The above is not a typical Shalwar Kameez.

A chic well cut Shalwar Kameez does look good but then it looks more westernized rather than Pakistani. Majority of the population do not wear designer tailor made shalwar kameezes which do look quite horrible and bland to be honest on normal people. Always disliked wearing it when I had to, especially the whole naara situation or when one has to go to the toilet.

However I do love wearing Jeans with a Kurta, somewhat stylish and comfy.
 
Syed1 said:
A few weeks ago I was went to a cultural event and I wore something very similar to this and I was getting the "boy you fine" looks, much to the displeasure of my wife :yk (Obviously nobody can compare to how Fawad Khan pulls it off)


785529-FawadKhan-1415027714-130-640x480.JPG






Point being you can look really good in a nice fitting shalwar kameez as well and I find it to be very classy. Obviously I won't wear it on a day to day basis but I have no insecurities regarding it like Mr. OP.
Click to expand...

That is not shalwar kameez. It is kurta shalwar. It’s more trendy than traditional shalwar kameez but it’s impractical all the same.
 
^^^^The above is not a typical Shalwar Kameez.

A chic well cut Shalwar Kameez does look good but then it looks more westernized rather than Pakistani. Majority of the population do not wear designer tailor made shalwar kameezes which do look quite horrible and bland to be honest on normal people. Always disliked wearing it when I had to, especially the whole naara situation or when one has to go to the toilet.

No such problems with the Kandora which I wore for most of my life till 14 odd. Especially the Emarati style of Kandora with Ghatra and 3agal or Safrah for less formal occasions which looks the coolest among all the other Arabs who wear the thob and headgear. The Omani Kandora and Massar is also kind of elegant. However the Saudi style is the worst, where they make the "Cobra" style with their Ghatras and wearing long underpants with shoes. :facepalm:.

However I do love wearing Jeans with a Kurta, somewhat stylish and comfy.
 
[MENTION=138254]Syed1[/MENTION] that's a very Indian style Shalwar Kameez, Fawad Khan probably wore it when he was in India. Something Modi would wear.

The Pakistani shalwar kameez looks relatively more manly.

Shahid-Afridi+%252824%2529.jpg
 
No man in Pakistan wears jeans with kurta. It is purely a woman’s outfit in Pakistan.
 
Pakistanian said:
[MENTION=138254]Syed1[/MENTION] that's a very Indian style Shalwar Kameez, Fawad Khan probably wore it when he was in India. Something Modi would wear.

The Pakistani shalwar kameez looks relatively more manly.

Shahid-Afridi+%252824%2529.jpg
Click to expand...

Fitted clothes always look better, but shalwar kameez is an exception. Only pansies wear slim flit shalwar kameez.

Afridi and Razzaq are carrying it the right way, although I am not a fan of the brown lines. Plain looks better.

Imran Khan rocks the perfect shalwar kameez.
 
Pakistanian said:
[MENTION=138254]Syed1[/MENTION] that's a very Indian style Shalwar Kameez, Fawad Khan probably wore it when he was in India. Something Modi would wear.

The Pakistani shalwar kameez looks relatively more manly.

Shahid-Afridi+%252824%2529.jpg
Click to expand...

The new style in Pakistan is that the "shalwaar" has been replaced by the "pajama" as Fawad Khan wore in that picture I posted. The "pajama" is the love-child between a shalwaar and a pant and it looks hella trendy. You posted a pic from 10 years ago and calling it todays style. Don't show your ignorance and call it facts.
 
Mamoon said:
No man in Pakistan wears jeans with kurta. It is purely a woman’s outfit in Pakistan.
Click to expand...

Maybe in Peshawar but a lot of guys wear it in Karachi. At least in the parts where I lived and visited for 3 years, Gulistan-e-Jouhar, Gulshan e Iqbal, Saddar etc
 
Also I realized that alot of posters on here are from backward parts of the country like Lahore so obviously they have no idea what modern style looks like.
 
DeadBall said:
Maybe in Peshawar but a lot of guys wear it in Karachi. At least in the parts where I lived and visited for 3 years, Gulistan-e-Jouhar, Gulshan e Iqbal, Saddar etc
Click to expand...

I meant real men, not metros.
 
Syed1 said:
The new style in Pakistan is that the "shalwaar" has been replaced by the "pajama" as Fawad Khan wore in that picture I posted. The "pajama" is the love-child between a shalwaar and a pant and it looks hella trendy. You posted a pic from 10 years ago and calling it todays style. Don't show your ignorance and call it facts.
Click to expand...

Lol that's the Indian style colorful kameez with tights. The Afridi style Shalwar Kameez is the national dress and never goes out of vogue.

4ae6416b7ca4901f371b2e50380d8de3--imran-khan-dil.jpg
 
Syed1 said:
Also I realized that alot of posters on here are from backward parts of the country like Lahore so obviously they have no idea what modern style looks like.
Click to expand...

There is no such thing as modern shalwar kameez. It is a traditional outfit and cannot be *******ized.

Hipsters, metros and burgers have made unsuccessful attempts but they don’t work.

As I said, if you want to see how a shalwar kameez should be carried, look no further than Imran Khan.

Of course 99% of the people in Pakistan carry it that way, but he is a good reference point.
 
Pakistanian said:
Lol that's the Indian style colorful kameez with tights. The Afridi style Shalwar Kameez is the national dress and never goes out of vogue.
Click to expand...




You know what's worse than an ignorant person? An ignorant person who thinks they are correct :facepalm:




This is the traditional shalwar kameez worn in India, the pic is of my friend hence I cropped his face out. A non-ignorant person will immediately see the difference between what Fawad Khan wore and what this guy is wearing.

Capture.JPG
 
Honestly I found it quite strange the first time I came across on this site that males in Pakistan wear Shalwar Kamiz.
In India it's almost exclusively a women's dress.
We do wear Kurta pajama but that's a bit different. Although the problem with Nara seems to be ubiquitous.
 
TM Riddle said:
Honestly I found it quite strange the first time I came across on this site that males in Pakistan wear Shalwar Kamiz.
In India it's almost exclusively a women's dress.
We do wear Kurta pajama but that's a bit different. Although the problem with Nara seems to be ubiquitous.
Click to expand...

Yes there is a distinction. My Indian friends in the U.S. told me that the Pakistani style shalwar kameez is called “pathani” in India, but I am not sure if that is true.
 
Mamoon said:
There is no such thing as modern shalwar kameez. It is a traditional outfit and cannot be *******ized.

Hipsters, metros and burgers have made unsuccessful attempts but they don’t work.

As I said, if you want to see how a shalwar kameez should be carried, look no further than Imran Khan.

Of course 99% of the people in Pakistan carry it that way, but he is a good reference point.
Click to expand...

IK wears a very traditional style of shalwaar kameez but like all articles of clothing the fashion changes and becomes more modern. Most people who are younger and not 65+ politicians now prefer to have slimmer cut shalwar kameez and the shalwar being replaced by a straight pant-esque pajama.


Obviously this holds true for what I saw and practice in Karachi. This style would take a decade to get to Lahore and probably two to get to Peshawar. Hang in there.
 
Shalwar kameez and kurta shalwar are great for lounging around and strolling about. I find them extremely comfortable and I think they look good as well. But they don't make great work clothes for sure.
 
Mamoon said:
Yes there is a distinction. My Indian friends in the U.S. told me that the Pakistani style shalwar kameez is called “pathani” in India, but I am not sure if that is true.
Click to expand...

Yeah that's the one, Pathani is the word.
Even the muslim folks here would wear Kurta pajama unless you are in the deep ganwar pockets of UP where you can spot paindoos wearing Shalwar Kamiz.
 
TM Riddle said:
Yeah that's the one, Pathani is the word.
Even the muslim folks here would wear Kurta pajama unless you are in the deep ganwar pockets of UP where you can spot paindoos wearing Shalwar Kamiz.
Click to expand...

Ironically in Bangladesh the shalwaar kameez is called the Punjabi :))
 
365FAF42-F91F-4F8C-B4DC-4989B2C7804E.jpgB9DCEF83-4385-4D3A-A245-31149DD7D1C6.jpeg

:))

I hope I die before this ******baggery becomes trendy throughout Pakistan.
 
The pajama shalwar is everywhere nowadays but hasn't quite replaced the traditional shalwar. People mostly wear it with their Eid outfits Aur maybe on special occasions such as weddings but for everyday use the shalwar is still prevalant
 
The only thing I miss about my childhood is the elastic in my shalwar. No fumbling about with the naara.
 
Syed1 said:
Ironically in Bangladesh the shalwaar kameez is called the Punjabi :))
Click to expand...

It definitely has Pashtun origins me thinks since Sikhs on this side of border wear Kurta Pajama as well.

Screw this. In Rajasthan we believe in wearing Dhoti Kurta. Much more comfortable and relaxing.
 
TM Riddle said:
It definitely has Pashtun origins me thinks since Sikhs on this side of border wear Kurta Pajama as well.

Screw this. In Rajasthan we believe in wearing Dhoti Kurta. Much more comfortable and relaxing.
Click to expand...

That's odd cause Pashtuns wear the Partug which is very different from the shalwar

Clothing_worn_by_most_Pashtun_males.jpg
 
Pakistanian said:
That's odd cause Pashtuns wear the Partug which is very different from the shalwar

Clothing_worn_by_most_Pashtun_males.jpg
Click to expand...

There is no difference between a shalwar and a partug.

Partug is simply the Pashto word for shalwar. The picture that you have provided is an example of a poorly stitched, low quality shalwar kameez.

A good quality shalwar kameez in KP looks exactly like the ones Imran Khan wears.
 
TM Riddle said:
Ironically it's been in fashion in India since quite long. I remember every other celebrity sporting it in the 90s esp the likes of Akshay Kumar and tbh it suited them as well.
Click to expand...

Yes it works in India, but it doesn’t work in Pakistan.
 
Pashtun kameez seems much shorter and that is more practical and looks better in my view. I don't wear any of those clothes because I don't live there, but I guess they could be more practical if they made adjustments according to the weather. In fact I assumed they already did that but from the replies it seems not.
 
I’ll be honest.

I love wearing shalwar kameez in Pakistan because it’s always hot even in the winter. It looks good because it slims you down due to its baginess.

In the States, I only wear it on special occasions like an invitation to dinner, a wedding function, or Eid.

My preferred clothing is just a regular T-Shirt and Basketball Shorts.
 
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