Salwars are the preferred dress for Asian womens. School going teens to old age women, every one prefers shalwar kameez to any other form of dress. The dress is easy to wear. It covers entire body, looks graceful without ever giving feel of orthodoxy. Light cotton fabric in above Indian shalwar kameez provides extra comfort. The dress is loose fit by design. Therefore it is also preferred maternity dress as well.
Indian shalwar kameez is a gift from the Mughals. In their custom, both men and women enjoyed this apparel, cut in long flowing panels. Elaborately embroidered with real gold and silver threads, studded with precious gemstones, those Mughal shalwar kameez weighed nothing less than 5 to 10 kilograms. As time passed, the modifications were made according to the comfort and affordability of the people. Though the source of inspiration remains the same old Mughal fashion, many changes are seen in todays style of shalwar kameez. It is women’s primary apparel among the north Indians. However, its comfort and easy to maintain qualities have made it universally popular. These are worn in both winters and summers. The material for the summer and winter shalwar kameez changes suiting the weather conditions. Summer welcomes crisp and light cottons, while winter gives way to all heavy and thick materials. At present, the most popular style of shalwar kameez for women is the A line cut style, which gives a good shape and comfort to the body. The prints commonly seen on this apparel in India are block print and tie and dye of Rajasthan and Gujarat. The hand embroidered chikankari style of Lucknow is also very popular for its traditionally rich look and values. The winter shalwar kameez are in silk, satin, and other thick materials.