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Panjab - Dresses & Fashion
A generation ago, the turban was the
"crowning glory" of all Punjabis whether Muslim, Hindu or Sikh. Muslims
and Hindus have given up their turbans, but it remains, literally, an
article of faith for Sikh men whose religion forbids them to cut their
hair. The kurta, a long straight-cut, loose shirt teamed with pyjamas,
the loose baggy salwar, or a kind of sarong called a loongi or tehmat
makes up the traditional dress for men. Winter sees the rustic Punjabi
in colourful sweaters that wives and mothers are so skilled in making.
A blanket finishes his ensemble. When
the urban, educated Punjabi steps out to work he will be in shirt and
pant or a suit—sartorially indistinguishable from his counterparts in
Tokyo or Toronto. Back home in the evening, he is likely to be found in
more traditional dress. The traditional Punjabi shoes, called juttis
retain their popularity with both rural and urban men; they are both
elegant and comfortable. Patiala and Muktsar are famous for juttis.
It is impossible to tell by dress
whether a Punjabi woman is a Hindu, Muslim, Sikh or Christian – they all
dress in salwar topped by a kameez (a garment that can be fitted like a
dress loose like the kurta) and accented by a rectangular scarf about
2.5 metres long called the chunni or duppatta. She’s fond of her
sweaters, but she is passionately proud of her collection of woollen
shawls. These can be breathtaking. The women of Punjab are responsible
for the state’s most famous item of handicraft – the phulkari. This is a
shawl completely covered in dense silk embroidery, folk motifs in
jewel-tones on an ochre background. Gold is her weakness – brides are
loaded with it.
The jewellers of Punjab stock an
enormous range of designs in bangles, necklaces, rings and earrings,
nose-pins, ornaments to pin in the hair, anklets and toe-rings. A
particular kind of bangle is the tip-off in recognizing Sikh men and
women. It’s called a kada and is made of steel.
- Women's Clothing
Punjabi girls and women wear salwar kameez's with bright colored
duppattas. A salwar kameez has two pieces of cloths: the kameez, or
shirt or top piece, and the salwar, or pants or bottom piece. A
duppatta is a piece of colorful cloth that women wear around their
necks. Salwar kameez's and duppattas come in a variety of colors and
designs. There are many stores that specialize and sell only these
articles of clothing.
- Men's Clothing
Men and boys generally wear loose pants or slacks with a collared
shirt or t-shirt. Some males also wear the kurta pajama, an Indian
shirt and pant outfit, especially the Punjabi farmer. On their head,
many Sikhs also wear bhuggs, or turbins.
- Winter Clothing
In winter, both women and men generally wear a woolen shawl, a small
blanket, around their necks. Many men wear jackets and woolen caps as
well.
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