This postcard was sent two years ago and I remember how excited I was to get my first-ever postcard from Pakistan. It shows the salwar kameez, Pakistan's national costume.
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| Sindhi Folk Dancers, clad in Salwar kameez, perform at Lok Virsa Festival in Islamabad. The colours may be too bright but, according to my friend Cheema who sent me this postcard, he think it's only to add impact to the performance. |
Salwar kameez is worn by both men and women in Pakistan and also in countries like India, Bangladesh and other South Asian countries. Usually the fabric is made from cotton as it helps manage the heat.
The salwar is a loosely fit trouser, which falls along the leg, and is held at the waist with the help of a drawstring or an elastic band. The waist of the salwar is double the actual size of the waist to provide comfort. Extra material is added along the thighs for easy movement, and the bottom is also large compare to the ankle, so that the foot can slide in easily.
The kameez is almost always full sleeved and never low neck. It covers the front and back of a girl and a 'dupatta' (a rectangular piece of cloth, plain or embroidered) must be worn (by women) on top of it. The kameez is up to the knee and has either a straight of wide flare. - Source
When I went to Bangladesh for a short consultancy in the early 2000s I was amazed at the fabrics and the vibrant colours that are available. How lovely the ladies looked wearing them. I thought I'd bring some local fashion home and they make great souvenirs for my mum and myself so I bought a couple of stylish saris (or sarees) and salwar kameez which I never wore till a year after I bought them. That's when I went to Sri Lanka and gathered enough guts to wear the salwar kameez (lol). My South Asian colleagues thought nicely of me though ^.^
Many thanks to Cheema - shukkriya - for this beautiful postcard. This is my first and only postcard from Pakistan.
Many thanks to Cheema - shukkriya - for this beautiful postcard. This is my first and only postcard from Pakistan.
Very colorful and looks like they are having fun! Happy PFF!
It looks like a very comfortable style of clothing. and I love the colour. I am a fan of orange.
I love the card and its colours. As Heather says, the clothes look very comfortable.
I like the bright coral color of their salwar. It sounds like 'salawal', or trousers in our vernacular.
i love the bright colours on this card...and the extra details about the clothes were fascinating! happy PFF!
I love this postcard. I didn't realize these garments were gathered at the ankle. What a bright and happy postcard. I loved reading this post--as Debs says, it's fascinating!
Happy PFF!
Definitely fascinating - I loved hearing about the details of the clothes and how they are worn. Most of all I love the colors of the fabrics and the sweet happiness on the faces of those wearing them.
Happy PFF!