Guides & JournalTraditional Dress of Pakistan by Province
The national dress of Pakistan is the shalwar kameez, worn by men and women across the country. But every province also has its own traditional dress: phulkari and khussa in Punjab, ajrak and the Sindhi topi in Sindh, the Pashtun embroidered frock and Peshawari chappal in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the embroidered pashk and pagg in Balochistan, and the woollen pakol in Gilgit-Baltistan and Chitral. Here are the cultural dresses of Pakistan with their names, province by province.
Quick guide: cultural dresses of Pakistan with names
Styles also vary within each province, from city to city and family to family.
| Province / region | Women | Men |
|---|---|---|
| Punjab | Kurta with phulkari dupatta, lacha or shalwar | Kurta, lacha (tehmat), pagri, khussa |
| Sindh | Embroidered Sindhi kurta, ajrak | Shalwar kameez, ajrak, Sindhi topi |
| Khyber Pakhtunkhwa | Long embroidered frock (Pashtun dress) | Shalwar kameez, waistcoat, Peshawari chappal |
| Balochistan | Pashk with embroidered pandol pocket | Wide shalwar, long kameez, pagg |
| Gilgit-Baltistan & Chitral | Embroidered caps, woollen shawls | Pakol (Chitrali cap), woollen chogha |
| Kashmir | Embroidered shawls and pheran | Kashmiri shawls, pheran |
Punjab
Punjab's most famous textile is phulkari — bright floral embroidery, usually on a dupatta, traditionally made for weddings. Men traditionally wear a kurta with a lacha (tehmat) or shalwar and a pagri, and both men and women wear embroidered khussa. Full guide: Phulkari Dupatta: Embroidery, Designs and History.
Sindh
Sindh's symbols are the ajrak — a block-printed shawl in deep indigo and red — and the Sindhi topi, an embroidered cap with mirror work. Women wear embroidered kurtas with mirror work, and colourful ralli quilts are part of every Sindhi home. Both ajrak and topi are worn with pride on Sindhi Culture Day. Guides: Sindhi Ajrak: History, Designs and How It's Made and Sindhi Culture Day: Date, Ajrak and Topi.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Pashtun women traditionally wear a long, flared frock with rich embroidery and mirror work over a shalwar, with a large chadar. Men wear a loose shalwar kameez, often with a waistcoat, a cap or turban, and the famous Peshawari chappal.
Balochistan
Baloch women wear the pashk, a long dress with dense embroidery (doch) and a long pocket (pandol) down the front. Men wear a very wide shalwar, a long kameez and a white pagg. Full guide: Balochi Dress: Names, Designs and Tradition.
Gilgit-Baltistan, Chitral and Kashmir
In the cold north, wool is everything. The pakol — a soft woollen cap with a rolled brim — comes from Gilgit and Chitral, and men also wear a long woollen coat called a chogha. Kashmir is known for its fine shawls and the loose pheran. Guides: Chitrali Cap (Pakol): Types, Price and Care and Shawls in Pakistan: Types and How to Choose.
Traditional dress for kids and school culture days
Schools often hold culture days where children dress in the traditional dress of a province. Easy options: a phulkari dupatta or kurta for Punjab, an ajrak and Sindhi topi for Sindh, a waistcoat and Peshawari-style chappal for KP, a pashk or pagg for Balochistan, and a pakol for Gilgit-Baltistan.
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Frequently asked
What is the national dress of Pakistan?
The shalwar kameez, worn by both men and women across the country.
What are the cultural dresses of Pakistan's provinces?
Punjab: kurta, lacha and phulkari. Sindh: ajrak and Sindhi topi. KP: Pashtun frock, shalwar kameez and Peshawari chappal. Balochistan: pashk and pagg. Gilgit-Baltistan and Chitral: the pakol cap.
What is the traditional dress of Sindh?
The ajrak shawl and the embroidered Sindhi topi, with embroidered kurtas for women.
What is the traditional dress of Punjab?
Kurta with lacha (tehmat) or shalwar and a pagri for men; kurta with a phulkari dupatta for women; khussa for both.
What is the traditional cap of Gilgit and Chitral?
The pakol — a soft woollen cap with a rolled brim, often called the Chitrali cap.
What should kids wear on a school culture day?
Pick one province: phulkari for Punjab, ajrak and topi for Sindh, a waistcoat for KP, a pashk or pagg for Balochistan, or a pakol for Gilgit-Baltistan.