Be Chic, Stay Comfy in Casual Kurtas

Kurtas will never go out of style. Whether plain or embellished, for men, women, or unisex, casual kurtas are just the thing to keep cool in during those long, sweltering Indian summers.

Historically, the kurta is a traditional article of clothing worn in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and Sri Lanka. Loose and falling just above or slightly below the knees, casual kurtas are worn with just about anything - loose salwar pants, a dhoti, tight-fitting variants of the salwar called churidar pants, and even jeans! The traditional kurta does not come with a collar. More modern variations, however, have collars and feature such types as stand-up collars and mandarin collars typically seen on Nehru jackets, sherwanis, and achkans.

But if casual kurtas are traditional garments, why are they now making the rounds about town? The answer is simple. Casual kurtas are comfortable, chic, and very, very eye-catching. Not only can you wear them anytime and anywhere, you can show up in them to just about any social do. You can wear casual kurtas as a dress and give yourself silhouette with a pretty belt. Or, you can pair your casual kurtas with trousers or jeans, throw on chunky earrings, and step into stilettos for an ensemble you can easily take from day to night.

If there’s one thing casual kurtas are aside from comfortable, it’s versatile. Once hallmarks of hippie chic in the 1960s and 70s, casual kurtas are now back with a bang in the international fashion scene. No less than Kate Hudson, Sienna Miller, and the Olsen twins have been snapped looking laidback and pretty in their casual kurtas. Why not channel the same Bohemian vibe with a kurta? Whether you get yours made-to-measure or ready to wear, your kurta is one thing in your wardrobe you can’t ever go wrong with style-wise.