Clothing Definitions — definitions of garments and clothing terms from Apparel Search
A kurta, or sometimes kurti for women, is a traditional piece of clothing worn in India, Pakistan and Afghanistan. It is a loose shirt falling either just above or somewhere below the knees, worn by both men and women. Kurtas are traditionally collarless, with a placket opening at the neck, long or short sleeves, and side slits that allow free movement. This page explains the kurta's cut and fabrics, the trousers and garments it is paired with, and its range from plain everyday cotton to embroidered festive silk.
Kurtas are usually custom-made by South Asian tailors, who work with the fabric their customers bring them. South Asians overseas, and Westerners, can buy them at South Asian clothing stores or order them from eBay or web retailers.
In 2004 and 2005, a modified kurta has become fashionable and appeared in the collections of designers such as Versace, and has also graced the racks of stores like JCPenney and Wal-Mart. These kurtas are typically much shorter than the traditional garments, made with a lighter material more often resembling that of a kameez. They are often worn with jeans, both in India and Pakistan and throughout the rest of the fashion world.
See also Dhoti
See also Salwar Kameez
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The kurta's features all answer the same climate. The loose, straight cut lets air move around the body; the collarless neck and short placket avoid a tight band at the throat; side slits at the hem stop the long shirt binding when the wearer walks, sits or rides. Cotton is the standard fibre because it absorbs perspiration and washes easily, and a white or pale kurta reflects the sun. Regional versions vary the details: embroidery around the placket in Lucknow's chikan work, block prints in Rajasthan, longer and plainer cuts for daily wear, and silk with woven borders for celebrations.
The kurta is the top half of several outfits. Worn with the close, bias-cut churidar, whose extra length wrinkles around the ankle, it forms the classic formal pairing; worn with the looser salwar it is everyday dress across Pakistan and northern India; and the women's kurti with leggings or jeans is now standard casual wear well beyond South Asia. Because the garment has no collar, darts or set-in tailoring, it is also one of the simplest traditional garments to make, which helped it remain daily clothing rather than becoming costume.
A kurta is a loose traditional shirt worn in India, Pakistan and Afghanistan, falling just above or somewhere below the knees. The women's version is sometimes called a kurti.
A kurta is worn over loose drawstring trousers such as the churidar or salwar, or over jeans and leggings in modern dress. Festive kurtas may be layered with a waistcoat or jacket.
Everyday kurtas are usually cotton or cotton blends for coolness in a hot climate. Silk, embroidered and printed kurtas are made for festivals, weddings and formal wear.