Pakistani Fashion wear Dresses 2013
Fashion and clothing dresses 2013 have ostensibly been, and still
are, the exclusive domain of women. Fashion and haute couture are
synonymous, at least in Pakistan, with women. In the Western world,
though, men did not spend all that much on clothing till the December of
2001, who unlike their counterparts in Pakistan, were very much fashion
savvy. Even in the 16th century men were very conscious of what they
wore.
Clothes even then were a statement, not
necessarily a fashion statement, but a statement nevertheless. The
aristocratic class distinguished itself from the common class through
their clothes, shoes, hairstyles, and mannerism.
Pakistani men ( fashion dresses 2013 ), on the other hand, have been
less conscious of their clothes until the media blitz. It was something
which men till recently did not take an active interest in. Men
throughout time have worn basically the same traditional outfit – the
awami suit or the shalwar-kameez as it is popularly known. Gone are the
days of being patriotic!
Shalwar-Kameez is a complete dress, like a trouser-shirt combination.
Shalwar is a pair of thin cotton trousers, baggy but tapered at the
ankles. It has a draw-string at the waist acting as a belt; and a long
tunic like shirt down to the knees, which is called Kameez. Nowadays
men, too, like the women wear the Shalwar-Kameez in a variety of
tasteful colors and designs, making it trendy and in vogue.
Designer Rashid Ali Khan says, “The basic ensemble changed from
province to province. In Punjab it is the kurta-shalwar that is
dominant, while in Karachi it is kurta-pajama, and in NWFP and
Balochistan, it is shalwar Kameez.”
The feudal landlords had theirs embroidered and well-starched while
the ordinary man just donned the outfit, even if not properly ironed. He
only dared to wear a starched awami suit or even an embroidered one on
happy occasions of Eid or his wedding.
The Punjabi natives mostly sport unstitched clothes called Lungis or
Dhotis. Lungis or Dhotis are skirt like nether garments, which are
wrapped and tucked around waist. It is worn with the Kameez in formal
settings, and with a short waistcoat vest-like shirt in informal
gatherings. Pathan men also wear sleeveless embroidered vests over the
Shalwar-Kameez. In addition, they wear caps of various shapes and
designs; the most common being the Pukul Hat which is a flat round wool
cap. The Balochis wear Turbans which have the clothes tied in such a way
that symbolize their tribal identity. In Sindh highly decorative caps
are common. Hats and caps vary in cut and shape, as well as embroidery
stitches and patterns, according to the tribe or peoples of the
particular area. Their wearers may thus be immediately identified as to
their ethnic origin, economic standing and social status.
Prior to the media bang, the rich and the famous were the trend
setters. “Fashion starts from the high class,” says Rashid. In fact, in
the good old days, men’s fashion generally consisted of trends of the
rich and famous. The film stars, politicians, industrialists, and
business tycoons were those who were always
abreast with the latest in men’s fashion. They could afford the
brands and newest of styles. They were the ones who had only the latest
in their wardrobes. It is a luxury for just a limited number of men to
be able to enjoy the cost of being fashionable. Not everyone could
afford to follow the latest fads and trends.
“The rich can afford to change their wardrobe every month or so and
the new wardrobe reflects their changing tastes thereby setting new
trends,” he says. When people who have status start to wear new or
different clothes a fashion trend may start. People, who like or respect
them, may start to wear clothes of a similar style.
In the male political class, the Jinnah sherwani as well as the
achkan churidar is the official dress code at all ceremonial and
official state functions. The new set of politicians is now opting for
the formal three-piece western suit for formal functions. The trend of
wearing the sherwani among the common class is restricted to weddings.
The sherwani comes in a variety of colors, like black, blues, greens and
browns with the elegance of embroidery using semi-precious stones. Pure
silk Jamewar turbans and embroidered shawl complete the attire making
the groom look like a member of the royal courtyard of the Maharajas and
Emperors.
At the beginning of the 20th century, fashion magazines began to
include photographs and became even more influential. In cities
throughout the world these magazines were greatly sought-after and had a
profound effect on public taste. High fashion did not become popular
among the general population until it started
getting featured on television. The prime reason for successful
universality of men’s fashion is the media exposure. Boys are aware of
the latest trends. They all want to ape their favorite movie or
television star. Sports fans would go to any length to copy their icon’s
fashion trends – from head to toe.
The music channels have made the youth more conscious of fashion. The
music buffs would get their hair do, body pierced and tattooed, their
clothes wearing – all in accordance to what is done by their music icon.
Today men’s fashion is not limited to aping the clothes worn by the
glamour men, but also their entire style. Their hairstyle and all else
is a part of the fashion world of today’s man.
However, Rashid disagrees that more music channels means more fashion
exposure. “Films and prime time soap operas are the major trend
setters. Music videos are of short duration and as such have little
impact on fashion. Soap operas are now becoming lengthy and the fashion
can be closely observed.”
In the west, the fashion of the 70s was in vogue among the men.
Wearing leisure suits, funky disco shirts, wild vintage disco men’s
platform shoes, and fun polyester disco pants was the order of the day.
“The 60s was the trend setter in Pakistani male fashion. Waheed Murad
and Nadeem looks were very popular. Men started to wear boot-cut
trousers, big collars and tight fittings,” Rashid further elaborates.
The youngsters who wanted to be fashionable but had no means of
looking for the latest trends, minutely observed the local boys of the
neighborhood who were fashionable. Going to the cinemas and seeing the
dressing of the male cast was adopted. The Michael Jackson era of the
80s was closely followed. White socks,
half-cut shoes, leather pants and sunglasses were adopted. “Nowadays,
the 60s Waheed Murad-Nadeem looks are very much in vogue,” says Rashid.
Men’s fashion around the globe has taken a turn. Most men even today
do not lust after fashion as obsessively as their female counterparts
and simply do not spend enough money on clothes. They are just
interested in looking good, and want to wear cool clothes and be
individual looking.
In Pakistan’s fashion scenario, men’s fashion is a booming business,
no matter what the level of its existence may be. The fashionable man
has arrived in every household. He spends hours shopping, unlike a time
when the word shopping made him fret. He is more aware of himself and
makes every attempt to make an impact, no matter from which strata of
society he hails from. He spends hours in a month at a spa, and gets his
pedicure or facial amongst other services. They are overly concerned
about how they look, what they wear, and how they present themselves.
And all this is due to the media boom.
