Kurta - Styles

Styles

A traditional kurta is composed of rectangular fabric pieces with perhaps a few gusset inserts, and is cut so as to leave no wasted fabric. The cut is usually simple, although decorative treatments can be elaborate.

The sleeves of a traditional kurta fall straight to the wrist; they do not narrow, as do many Western-cut sleeves. Sleeves are not cuffed, just hemmed and decorated.

The front and back pieces of a simple kurta are also rectangular. The side seams are left open for 6-12 inches above the hem, which gives the wearer some ease of movement.

The kurta usually opens in the front; some styles, however, button at the shoulder seam. The front opening is often a hemmed slit in the fabric, tied or buttoned at the top; some kurtas, however, have plackets rather than slits. The opening may be centered on the chest, or positioned off center.

A traditional kurta does not have a collar. Modern variants may feature stand-up collars of the type known to tailors and seamstresses as "mandarin" collars. These are the same sort of collars seen on achkans, sherwanis, and Nehru jackets.

• Close up of Chikan embroidery and wood (sandalwood) cuff links style buttons on kurta

• A modern shin-length embroidered silk kurta

• Close up of knot-and-loop button for a "side open" Kurta

• Side-opening Chikan kurta with semi-precious-stone cuff-links-style buttons

• Close up of semi-precious-stone cuff-links-style buttons

• Close up of side-open silk kurta with Chikan embroidery

• A blue khadi kurta