The story
What it is
The shalwar kameez is the national dress of Pakistan. The shalwar is a pair of loose trousers gathered at the ankle; the kameez is a long shirt that falls to the knee. Women add a dupatta, a long scarf, and men a waistcoat for formal occasions.
Many Pakistanis buy fabric unstitched and have a tailor make it to their measurements, but ready-to-wear is now common and ships worldwide from Pakistani brands.
Where it comes from
Loose trousers and long tunics have been worn across Central and South Asia for centuries. After independence the shalwar kameez became Pakistan’s national dress, worn as formal wear by politicians and diplomats as much as at home.