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Arab News
31-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Arab News
Farshi Shalwar: Centuries-old staple of South Asian fashion makes Eid comeback in Pakistan
KARACHI: A centuries-old staple of South Asian closets, the farshi shalwar, is back in Pakistan and ruling fashion trends this Eid Al-Fitr. For the latest updates, follow us on Instagram @ The word 'farshi' comes from the Persian word 'farsh,' meaning 'floor,' and the farshi shalwar, particularly popular in Pakistan and northern India, is characterized by its floor-length, flowing and wide, loose pants, creating a dramatic and graceful silhouette. 'Right now, it's the hottest trend,' fashion stylist and director Tabesh Khoja, popularly known as Khoji, told Arab News, saying he first styled a farshi shalwar in 2023 for the fashion label of model and actress Sadaf Kanwal. 'I styled Sadaf Kanwal actually and after that I have seen every other designer doing a farshi shalwar version of their own,' Khoja said. No doubt, Kanwal seems to have played a key role in bringing the farshi shalwar back this Ramadan and Eid, with her label Sadaf Kanwal Fashion creating a number of outfits over the last two years featuring the baggy trousers. 'Throughout the [last] year, I shot so many collections of so many designers and all of those designers at least used to have two farshi shalwars for sure in their collections,' Khoja said. 'So it took us an entire year to make it a fashion trend.' According to the stylist, the trend dated back to the 17th century and was popular among noble women in the Mughal era. Modeled after the flowing gowns worn by British noblewomen, the complete outfit consists of three basic parts: a kurta or a long shirt, dupatta or long stole, and the third and most important, the farshi shalwar or pajama, a flowing two-legged trouser held by drawstrings that falls straight to the ankles from where it starts flaring and flowing copiously onto the floor, trailing as one walks. In media, iconic movies such as Umrao Jaan (1981) and Shatranj Ke Khilari (1977) that depict Muslim culture of 19th-century Lucknow show noblewomen and royal courtesans wearing farshi shalwars. 'They had a variety of silhouettes in terms of a kurta or a jacket on top, among other things. The outfit has been there, the silhouette has been there since the 17th century but how you make it relevant now is very important,' Khoja added. HOW TO STYLE A FARSHI SHALWAR? According to Khoja, some of the popular ways to style the farshi shalwar include pairing it with a button down shirt and accessorizing it with different kinds of jewelry pieces and hairdos. 'You can dress it up or dress it down. Sadaf [Kanwal] uses big organza dupattas. You can do big shawls also like [actress] Mahira Khan wore [designer] Banto Kazmi's when she got an award at the UK Parliament. So something of that sort also with a plain silhouette.' Pakistani actress Tuba Anwar said celebrities had been wearing farshi shalwars since last year but the trend had 'peaked' among the general public in recent months. For her, the fact that everyone would be wearing the baggy trousers this Eid reduced their appeal. 'I was planning to wear farshi shalwar on this Eid and then when everybody started discussing it, I was like 'No, this is not what I'm going to wear because I have to do something very different'.' When she wore farshi shalwars at all, Anwar said she preferred them in solid colors. 'In terms of styling, I would like to wear it with solid colors, not a lot of embroidery going on, not a lot of things or abstract things going on in the clothes that I am going to wear,' she said. The farshi shalwar craze is not limited to women alone. Actor and host Fahad Mustafa has donned the farshi shalwar look on his hit gaming show Jeeto Pakistan during Ramadan. Singer and songwriter Falak Shabbir has been seen in the outfit as well. 'It's certainly not limited to women. Fahad Mustafa was of course wearing it on Jeeto Pakistan. I am going to wear it on Eid,' Khoja said. 'So, you will see a lot of people of different sorts, male and female, wearing it.'
Express Tribune
12-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Pakistani Actresses Set the Trend with Farshi Shalwar
The Farshi Shalwar has been dominating social media lately, captivating designers, brands, and fashion lovers alike. This stunning revival seems to be a deliberate move by designers to bring back the beloved Shalwar after the long reign of straight pants, culottes, and flared trousers. A traditional South Asian attire with deep roots in Mughal history, the Farshi Shalwar is known for its regal, elegant look. Derived from the Persian word Farsh (meaning "floor"), the Farshi Shalwar reaches the ground, creating a dramatic and graceful silhouette. Once considered a garment of royalty, the Farshi Shalwar fell out of favor for a while, but it has returned to prominence, especially among the younger generation. While it typically appeals to young girls, some believe the trend is more suited to taller, leaner figures. However, the shift toward a more nostalgic, regal aesthetic has made the Farshi Shalwar one of the most sought-after pieces in current fashion. This is especially true as Eid collections this year are embracing the look in a big way. It's clear that Farshi Shalwars are no longer just a fleeting trend—they are a symbol of a stylish revival that is quickly becoming a wardrobe staple for many. Here are some of the top actresses rocking the Farshi Shalwar trend in 2025: 1. Ayeza Khan Ayeza Khan has been sharing multiple Farshi Shalwar looks on Instagram, most of which are character photoshoots for her upcoming drama Humraaz. However, she had a little fun with her fans, commenting, "It seems like the whole world is into Farshi these days... andddd here I am already over it because this is the 77th Farshi Shalwar I'm wearing this season!" Despite her playful exhaustion with the trend, we are absolutely loving her in every single Farshi look. 2. Maya Ali Maya Ali took to Brisbane, Australia, for the Shaukat Khanum Cancer Hospital Fundraiser, where she wowed in a stunning Farshi Shalwar set by none other than Hussain Rehar. You can never go wrong with Hussain Rehar, and this outfit is no exception. The Farshi Shalwar in this look is the epitome of the style—it literally touches the floor, showcasing the classic design in its truest form. 3. Sadaf Kanwal When it comes to bringing the Farshi Shalwar trend back into the spotlight, a lot of credit has been given to Sadaf Kanwal. The actress has been wearing Farshi Shalwar looks for quite some time now, especially pairing them with short shirts. Recently, her fashion brand, Sadaf Kanwal Fashion, has been dominating the scene with its luxurious raw silk Farshi sets. These co-ord sets have become a must-have, and we can't recommend them enough. If you're looking for timeless elegance, get your hands on these sets while you can—they're a hot commodity right now! 4. Sumbul Iqbal Sumbul Iqbal shared a throwback photo of herself rocking a Farshi Shalwar from Sadaf Kanwal Fashion on Instagram, poking fun at the trend. In her post, she said, "Abhi yaad aya trending Farshi Shalwar tou meinne last year he phen li thii ab Eid per kya hoga?" (Now I remember, I wore the trending Farshi Shalwar last year, so what's going to happen this Eid?) Her playful caption highlights the dilemma of keeping up with fashion trends, especially when they keep coming back! 5. Hania Aamir Hania Aamir has been spotted wearing a butter yellow Farshi Shalwar set from Sajni, a color that's been one of the season's most sought-after hues. Extra points for wearing this stunning color, which continues to shine as a favorite for both spring and summer. Hania's chic look, worn during one of her trips to the UK, proves that the Farshi Shalwar can be both traditional and modern at the same time. 6. Sajal Aly Her recent Farshi Shalwar look from Kaida has made waves on social media. She donned the black-and-white best-seller set from Kaida, though unfortunately, their Eid orders are now closed. Sajal's sophisticated yet effortless style made this look one of the most talked-about of the season. This chic black and white Farshi Shalwar is a classic example of how versatile and stunning this trend can be. 7. Anmol Baloch Sadaf Kanwal's brand continues to reign supreme in the Farshi Shalwar world, and actress Anmol Baloch is the latest to showcase one of their stunning creations. She looked absolutely radiant in an electric blue Farshi Shalwar set, which proves that this trend works in bold, vibrant colors as well. It's clear that Sadaf Kanwal's brand is dominating the Farshi Shalwar scene, and Anmol Baloch wore it with confidence and elegance. 8. Mahira Khan When Mahira Khan wears something, it instantly becomes a trend. A great example is her wedding looks, such as the stunning Zara Shahjahan lehenga and the unforgettable chattapati Rano Heirlooms outfit she wore for her musical night. Although this post from her Instagram dates back to 2022, we couldn't agree more with her caption, 'Bring back the big Shalwars and Choti Kameez.' The combination of a big, dramatic Shalwar and a shorter Kameez seems poised to make a huge comeback, and we're already excited to see more of this look during Eid. Will you be rocking the farshi shalwar trend this Eid?
