Kate Middleton’s Pakistan outfits – what’s a shalwar kameez, a kurta, a sherwani and a chitrali hat?
KATE Middleton has been dazzling the crowds in Pakistan while on her tour of the country with husband Prince William.
The Duchess of Cambridge has so far opted for traditional outfits on the five day visit which has seen the royal couple travel to the Presidential Palace, before also having lunch with Mr Imran Khan at his official residence in Islamabad.
What is a shalwar kameez?
Kate Middleton chose a royal blue shalwar kameez during the royal couple’s visit to the Islamabad Model College for Girls, as part of the second day in Pakistan.
The outfit was created by local designer Maher Khan.
The shalwar kameez is the national dress of Pakistan.
It is a traditional combination dress worn with trousers which are usually held up with either elastic or a drawstring.
The trousers, known as shalwar, are often wide and baggy but can also be cut narrower.
The kameez is a long shirt or tunic with the side seams usually left open below the waist-line.
A kameez is traditionally cut straight and flat but more modern designs now incorporate more European influences.
The kameez can have a European-style collar, a Mandarin-collar or can even be collarless, making it similar to the kurta.
A shalwar kameez is often worn nowadays with a long scarf or shawl, called a dupatta, around the head or neck.
What is a kurta?
A kurta is a loose, collarless shirt widely worn by both men and women.
It is an item that can be worn both for formal occasions as well as everyday wear.
Traditionally it is made of cotton or silk and is either just a plain shirt or embroidered with decoration.
They are usually loose fitting and long - ending normally just below the knee.
The sleeves of a traditional kurta fall to the wrist without narrowing with the ends hemmed but without cuffs.
What is a sherwani?
Sherwani is a long coat-like garment worn in the Indian subcontinent.
A sherwani is worn over a kurta and the lower part of the dress consist a churidar pyjama or a salwar.
Sherwani is now famous as a wedding outfit and it has always been popular as an outfit which can be worn on formal events.
A traditional sherwani coat is usually of knee-length and it fits close to the body. The sherwani coat is fastened in front with the help of buttons. Embroidery is done on sherwani to enhance its appearance.
What is a chitrali hat?
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge landed in Chitral, in the Hindu Kush mountain region, near the Afghan border, where they were given traditional Chitrali hats.
Kate and William were given traditional Chitrali hats as they land in Chitral the Hindu Khush, near the Afghan border.
William was also given a highly embroidered coat and Kate a warm shawl.
During her visit to Pakistan in the '90s the late Princess Diana received a traditional Chitrali hat.