The costumes of this region represent the long cultural history as well as the geographical peculiarities of Jammu and Kashmir. The most famous piece of clothing must be the Pheran – a wide gown that could be worn by both sexes.
Pheran
The Pheran can be worn in different ways and can be made from various fabrics at different resulting in different looks for different seasons or events.It is one of beautiful traditional dress of Jammu and Kashmir. During the winter bulk is in the form of warm wool or Pashmina Whereas in summer it is more preferred from cotton or silk materials.
For Men
Mens Pherans are not very much adorned with embroidery works, neither with extra designs. They are mostly accompany with the conventional headgear of the kashmiri people known as ‘Pagri’ or a woollen cap in winter season.
For Women
Mention should also be made of the fact that Women’s Pherans are more decorated and frequently cover the collar and the cuffs parts with beautiful ornamentation. They are usually matched with a bright ‘Taranga,’ a headgear, and the typical jewelry preventive among the people of Kashmir.
Other Traditional Attire
Apart from the Pheran, other traditional dress of Jammu and Kashmir include:
For Men
- Pathani Suit: This is worn for more official occasions and entails a long flowing shirt combined with shalwar, also loose trousers. This traditional dress of Jammu and Kashmir is very famous.
- Kurta Pajama: It is more relaxed, and can be paired with the Nehru jacket of a waistcoat.
For Women
- Salwar Kameez: A conception that includes a floor-length blouse and lightweight, straight-cut trousers.
- Gagra Choli: An outfit of a long skirt, a blouse and a dupatta that can be worn on occasions like festival or wedding.
The Impact of Mughals and Persian Culture
Kashmir specially owes much of its fashion and culture to the Mughal and Persian empires that had rules the region. This is apparent in the intricacies of work done on traditional kashmiri Pherans and shawls etc. Silk was also prominently used which meant that the use of Pashmina wool as a fine and luxurious material also originated during this period.
Modern Interpretations
Nowadays, it is the same traditional dress of both sexes in the region is adopted with little changes throughout the seasons. Many designs have adapted from the regular templates aspects of the regional cultural attire in the designing process making fusion wear garments. But the Pheran still remains a part of the cultural identity of people of Kashmir and is still being used in performing everyday routines, religious or cultural events.
The dress worn by people of Jammu and Kashmir before the coming of the British is equally as testimony to the previous cross-cultural dynamics and weather conditions of this region. This perhaps is a brilliant fusion of the old and the new, whereas the respective aesthetic sense of the dwellers has evolved over the social strata the building still keeps the essence of classicism at it is.
