3 Occasions You'll Need to Wear a Punjabi Suit

Wearing a Punjabi suit can often feel like walking around in a handmade work of art due to the tradition, attention to detail, diligent composition, and undeniably beauty of the garment. No matter where or why you're wearing one, it can be hard to take it off. Unlike certain other traditional outfits, Punjabi suits incredibly versatile and can be worn for a variety of occasions, both formal and casual. The term Punjabi suit is slightly broad and refers to a design that became popular around the time of the Mogul Empire somewhere between 1500-1700 c.e. Punjabi suits are traditionally worn in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka, and have been a longtime staple in Indian culture. There is no shortage of customizations you can select when shopping for a Punjabi suit from intricate embellishments and striking colors to unique patterns. For this reason, it's extremely rare to see two of the exact same Punjabi suit in one event or social setting.

Nowadays, there are so many different designs for Punjabi suits that make them arguably more versatile than ever. Some include tighter-fitting pants, some are designed with numerous pleats, and others are simplified to the basic traditional design. No matter where you don your Punjabi suit, you're practically guaranteed to find a style, color, and design that fits your body type and the needs of the occasion. Before we dig into the various places you might wear your Punjabi suit, let's explore a few of the most popular styles:

Patiala Suit

Consists of a long kurta/kameez with wide or tight sleeves and pants that typically have more pleats or cuffs than other Punjabi suits.

Dhoti Salwar

Designed in the style of a popular Indian male garment called the Dhoti.

Churidar Kameez

Pairs a traditional kameez with tight-fitting pants that create rings near the ankle.

Salwar Kurta

Pairs loose-fitting pants with a close-fitting, short kurta and a matching dupatta which is a long shawl designed to match the rest of the outfit and typically worn over one shoulder.

So where exactly does one wear these varying styles of Punjabi suits?

Wedding or Formal Gathering

If you are a guest at a traditional Indian wedding, a Punjabi suit may be your go-to attire. Wedding suits are typically heavily embellished and designed with rich, bold colors. You would also typically pair this look with heavy gold jewelry, Kundan and matching makeup and shoes. You may also opt for a sleek A-line Punjabi suit for a wedding or other formal occasion. These suits are slightly less common in a formal setting, so you're sure to stand out from the crowd just a bit. Punjabi suits are a comfortable choice for weddings and can be easily customized to fit the venue, season and color scheme of the wedding or other formal occasion.

Work, School, Everyday Use

Punjabi suits are more than versatile enough to wear in a variety of casual settings including a university, workplace, or other gathering spaces. You typically wouldn't wear Punjabi suits with extravagant embellishments in these casual settings; although if you do, you would certainly steal the show and turn heads everywhere you go. It's more common to see Patiala- or Dhoti-style Punjabi suits in these casual settings due to their looser and more comfortable nature. These styles also come in a variety of simpler patterns, colors, and fabrics that breathe easier and allow free movement for an on-the-go lifestyle. In many parts of India, women wear Punjabi suits while walking around town, shopping, or gathering in public spaces. This is part of the beauty of this tradition.

Cultural Festivals and Celebrations

One thing Westerners may not realize about Punjabi suits is that many of them are specially designed with deliberate decorations that carry a great deal of spiritual and cultural significance. For this reason, it's typical to see people wearing Punjabi suits at a variety of cultural festivals.

No matter where you choose to wear your Punjabi suit, the delicate details and vibrant designs are sure to reflect your personal style and suit the occasion perfectly.