Shalwar Kameez

Shalwar kameez (also salwar kameez and less commonly shalwar qameez) is a traditional combination dress worn by women, and in some regions by men, in South Asia, and Central Asia.

''Shalwars'' are trousers which are atypically wide at the waist but which narrow to a cuffed bottom. They are held up by a drawstring or elastic belt, which causes them to become pleated around the waist. The trousers can be wide and baggy, or they can be cut quite narrow, on the bias. Shalwars have been traditionally worn in a wide region which includes Eastern Europe, West Asia, Central Asia, and South Asia. The ''kameez'' is a long shirt or tunic. The side seams are left open below the waist-line (the opening known as the ''chaak''), which gives the wearer greater freedom of movement. The kameez is usually cut straight and flat; older kameez use traditional cuts; modern kameez are more likely to have European-inspired set-in sleeves. The kameez may have a European-style collar, a Mandarin collar, or it may be collarless; in the latter case, its design as a women's garment is similar to a kurta. The combination garment is sometimes called salwar kurta, salwar suit, or Punjabi suit.

The shalwar and kameez were introduced into South Asia by arriving Muslims in the north in the 13th century: at first worn by Muslim women, their use gradually spread, making them a regional style, especially in the historical Punjab region. The shalwar-kameez is a widely-worn, and national dress, of Pakistan. It is also widely worn by men in Afghanistan, by women and some men in the Punjab region of India, from which it has been adopted by women throughout India, and more generally South Asia.

When women wear the shalwar-kameez in some regions, they usually wear a long scarf or shawl called a dupatta around the head or neck. In South Asia, the dupatta is also employed as a form of modesty—although it is made of delicate material, it obscures the upper body's contours by passing over the shoulders. For Muslim women, the dupatta is a less stringent alternative to the chador or burqa (see hijab and purdah); for Sikh and Hindu women, the dupatta is useful when the head must be covered, as in a temple or the presence of elders.
Everywhere in South Asia, modern versions of the attire have evolved; the shalwars are worn lower down on the waist, the kameez have shorter length, with higher splits, lower necklines and backlines, and with cropped sleeves or without sleeves.

Etymology and history

The English word "shalwar" derives ultimately from the Persian language. According to the "Oxford English Dictionary": its etymology is: " < Urdu šalwār, Hindi salvār, < Persian šalwār." According to the ''Oxford Dictionary of English'', it is Originally From Persian šalwār." According to the '' Random House Unabridged Dictionary'': "1880–85; < Hindi < Persian ''shalwār''". According to Steingass's ''A Comprehensive Persian-English Dictionary'', " شلوار shalwār, shulwār, Inner breeches, drawers reaching to the feet (the outer breeches being called tuṃbān); sailorsʼ or travellersʼ trousers. شلوار بند shalwār-band, Fastening of breeches." According to Shakespear's ''A dictionary of Hindustani and English''," شلوار shalwār Persian (or shilwār) s. m. Trousers." According to McGregor's ''Oxford Hindi English Dictionary'', "शलवार ''śalwār'' (Persian: ''śalwār'') Loose cotton trousers worn by women."

The English word "kameez," derives from the Arabic language. According to the ''Oxford Dictionary of English'', "Kameez: A long tunic worn by many people from South Asia, typically with a salwar or churidars. Origin: From Arabic ''qamīṣ'', perhaps from late Latin ''camisia'' (see chemise)" According to Wehr's ''A Dictionary of Modern Written Arabic'': " قميص ''qamīs'': shirt, dress, gown, covering, cover, case, wrap, envelope, jacket; plural: قمص ''qamus''" According to Steingass's ''A Comprehensive Persian-English Dictionary'', "Arabic قميص qamīṣ, A shirt, shift, or any kind of inner garment of linen; also a tunic, a surplice (of cotton, but not of wool); the membrane which surrounds the fœtus in the womb, amnion; pericardium; a galloping horse that shakes its rider." According to Platt's ''A Dictionary of Urdu, Classical Hindi, and English'', "Arabic قميص qamīṣ, vulg. qamīz, kamīj, s.m. A shirt; a shift; a chemise (cf. It. camicia; Port. camisa). According to McGregor's ''Oxford Hindi-English Dictionary'': "क़मीज़ ''qamīz'' (Arabic: ''qamīş'') a shirt".

The English word combination "shalwar kameez," is an internationalism derived from the Urdu language