The Difference Between Kurtas and Kurta Pajamas for Men
Summary: From the land of diverse cultures, traditions, and clothing styles, kurta and kurta-pajama sets are some of the most prominent garments from India. In this article, we will explore how these two outfits are different.
An American beauty in a Banarasi sari. A Canadian man sporting a lungi from South India. A French teen pairing his denim with a kurta. Globalization is not just blurring geographical boundaries, it is accelerating the appreciation of each other's cultures as well.
There has been a huge demand for Indian ethnic wear all across the world. According to Grand View Research, the global ethnic wear market size was valued at USD 77.6 billion in 2020 and is anticipated to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.3% from 2021 to 2028.
Today, a stitch in time can help you tap into the current growing market. We recommend you make the most of the opportunity amongst the audience who loves exploring different cultures and developing their unique styles of clothing.
What is a kurta?
A kurta is a loose-fitting shirt, mostly without a collar. It is made from cotton, silk, linen, and other lightweight fabrics favorable to the climatic conditions of the Indian subcontinent. Typically worn by men, they fall just above or below the knees. They can be short-sleeved (just above the elbow) or long-sleeved but without a cuff.
Depending on the fabric and style, the occasion for wearing the kurta is defined. For example, a loose cotton one with a simple design, small buttons, and no embroidery or patterns is best suited for wearing at home. Whereas one made with pure silk and intricate embroidery is apt for the festive season.
Evolution of the kurta
The kurta's origins can be traced to ancient times when people in the hot and humid regions of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Nepal wore it as a practical and comfortable garment. It was a common attire adorned with intricate embroidery during the Mughal period in India and was known to represent nobility and luxury.
In the early 19th century, several scholars, artists, and poets became well-known for wearing the kurta, which led to its rise in appeal. While in the 1960s and 1970s, famous for the hippie culture, people considered kurtas as comfortable clothing to express their carefree attitude.
Being versatile, the kurta is incredibly popular even in today's times, not just in India but across the globe.
Kurta Styling
Kurta can be fashioned to suit your style. They are an excellent choice for casual dressing when paired with jeans, chinos, track pants, or jackets. They can be paired with stoles, dhotis, dhoti pants, and traditional accessories to create an elegant and formal look for great Indian weddings or festivals.
What is a kurta-pyjama set?
Now that we have learned what a kurta is, you must be curious about a kurta-pajama set. Is it just a different kind of kurta or a completely different garment? Let's find out.
When a kurta is paired with a complementing pyjama, you get a kurta-pyjama set. It resembles the popular co-ord outfits right now.
So we need to understand what a pajama is. Well, it is a pair of loose-fitting, wide-waisted pants with a drawstring or elastic waistband to comfortably suit your size. The pajama is completely adjustable; the string goes through the entire width of it and is pulled and tied in front.
They fit loosely and have tapered legs that narrow slightly at the foot. Typically, it balloons at the top. They are tailored with a center seam in front and back and an extra piece of gusset-like fabric is added at the crotch for comfort in sitting. The fact that Indians were used to sitting on the ground made it essential for them to wear such loose clothing. They were also known as Izars, while the strings were called izar-bandhs.
More often than not, it is cut out from the same fabric as the kurta. But to bring in a different style, it can also be made of a lightweight cotton or silk fabric, in the same or a complementing color. Owing to their comfort and practicality, pajamas are still very popular in India. Interestingly, it is becoming famous all over the world.
Unlike kurta being unisex, kurta pajama sets are worn by men. They are the Indian equivalent of the tuxedo for formal events like weddings and religious rituals. While elegant and stylish, they are lighter, more breathable, and more comfortable to wear for a longer period.
Bring variety to your collection to reach out to a larger audience and offer something new and refreshing for your existing clients. Give your business the support of efficient service by collaborating with reliable partners.
Fashinza's AI-powered platform helps you connect with the top suppliers and manufacturers in the sector. The single app helps you track the creation, delivery, and logistics smoothly.
To create your extensive collection of kurtas and kurta-pajama sets, speak to us.
Key Takeaways:
- Globalization is accelerating the appreciation of different cultures.
- A kurta is a loose-fitting shirt made from lightweight fabrics favorable to the climatic conditions of the Indian subcontinent.
- A kurta-pajama set is a combination of a kurta and loose-fitting, wide-waisted pants with a drawstring or elastic waistband known as pajamas.
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