The line between Punjabi ethnic wear and the great north Indian wedding wear is slowly narrowing.A Punjabi traditional attire is loud and outspoken, much like its people and culture.
Perhaps for the same reason, Punjabi costumes need no detailed introduction. Women wear salwar kameez, along with a dupatta. The Patiala pants and chudi bottoms of Punjabi women have already taken over the mainstream fashion world of India.
Men wear long kurtas and pyjamas. Their over-sized, light kurtas are designed in view of the hot climate of the state.
But what comes first to our minds when we speak of Punjabis are the turbans' and 'kripaans' the Sardar community wears. Turbans are the headwear the Sardars wear to protect the long hair, which they grow right from birth. The yards-long cloth contains their waist-long hair in a very compact manner.
Kripaans are the small sword-like weapon men carry on their belt. It is believed that the sardars have a vow that they will not cut their hair until the society gets rid of violence and greed.
Young Punjabi women also wear full pleated skirts along with kurtis. Shervanis and cholis make up the popular Punjabi ethnic partywear.
With increased exposure to mainstream couture trends, the line between Punjabi ethnic wear and the great north Indian wedding wear is slowly narrowing. Western outfits also play a major role in mixing up the couture culture, leading to a hybrid blend of traditional and western wear, which includes a denim, a slit-kurti and a shawl on the head.
These days, young men have moved onto wearing denim with half kurtas, along with stylish turban wraps. The youngsters adopt different styles of turban trends from time to time.
