The timeless classic

Fashion is one of the most fluid concepts in today’s age. Trends and styles can rule the ramp for a couple of days or weeks and then quietly disappear from the public eye as if they never existed. So for a garment to capture the imagination of an entire generation and keep reinventing itself is something great. We are talking about the humble kurta here — a spin off from our very own ‘salwar kameez’ and a favourite when it comes to dressing for any occasion these days. While earlier it was relegated to the ‘casual’ category and generally seen as the preferred attire of journalists (imagine the number of movies and serials you have seen where the journalist would be wearing a shabby kurta), it slowly made a place for itself in the ‘semi-formal’ category and from there rose to the ranks of bridal and couture wear.

Says Disha Vaswani, a designer, “It is important for us as Indians to celebrate the fact that we have our own cultural clothing. I think it is amazing how we have kept our tradition and culture alive by evolving the garment to fit into the upcoming trends. Not just that, we have made it an international trend as well. Kurtas used to be what your mom wore, but today tons of Indian designers are making them in fabrics and prints that are perfectly in sync with the latest trends. With a huge fan following among both men and women, this is a fashion statement that lends itself to both genders effortlessly.

Kunal Rawal, leading designers  and stylist, agrees about the utility factor of the kurtas. “Kurtas are one of the most versatile silhouettes in Indian wear. Also, they are very comfortable and complement the Indian body type. These are a lot of fun to experiment with too. There are military kurtas, kurtas with back zippers, kurtas with heavy embroidery and so on. They also make for a great indo-western look. You can add collars, short sleeves, play around with fabrics etc.”

Dipika Thawani, Founder of D'fuzion Design Studio, says, “Keeping up with the latest fashion, a kurta can be termed as a very versatile garment. A basic cotton kurta  works perfectly with pajamas for regular home wear. The same kurta with denims or leggings is suitable for office goers. A well styled kurta with minimalistic embellishment or fabric texturing can give you the semi formal look, whereas a heavily embroidered kurta in a rich fabric like a silk or georgette can we worn for a completely formal occasion.”

Says Keerthana, a college student, “Kurtas are a stylish yet sensible choice. There is no hassle of a ‘dupatta’ and when teamed with a jeans, it is the most comfortable outfit ever. I prefer light colours and minimal designs on my kurtas though occasionally I do pick up a bright one also.”

Talking about the adaptability of this unassuming garment, Disha says, “Wearing a Kurta with almost anything  has become acceptable. You can choose from long/short, ethnic or indo western, pair it with ripped jeans or graceful pallazo pants or even just the Kurta as a dress! My personal favourite is chikankari kurta with ripped jeans and a khaki jacket with gold Kolhapuris.” Summing it up, Kunal says, “It is one of the most Iconic garments. I believe there is a kurta for everyone.”