Ghararas

Ghararas, plural of gharara, are a traditional South Asian women's garment most commonly worn in Pakistan and northern India, especially for weddings and formal occasions. The ensemble typically includes a fitted top (kameez or blouse) paired with a distinctive lower garment called the gharara, which consists of two wide-legged, heavily pleated trousers that flare from the knee downward, creating a skirt-like silhouette when viewed from the front. A dupatta completes the outfit and is often draped over the shoulder or head.

Design and materials vary, but ghararas are usually made from fabrics such as silk, chiffon, georgette, satin, or net. They are lavishly embroidered with embellishments like gota patti, zardozi or dabka, resham (silk threads), sequins, and beads, producing a rich bridal or formal look. The color palette ranges from bright, saturated hues to pastels, with ornamentation serving as a key indicator of occasion and regional style.

Regional and cultural contexts influence the style. The gharara is strongly associated with wedding fashion in Punjab and with Lucknowi and other Urdu-speaking communities, where embroidery traditions such as chikankari may appear alongside rich zari work. In Lucknow and surrounding areas, lighter palettes and delicate embroidery are common, while Punjab variants may favor vibrant colors and heavy adornment. The gharara is sometimes contrasted with the sharara, another wide-leg silhouette; the two are related but differ in construction, with the sharara typically featuring a single long flared leg and the gharara using two flared pant legs joined at the knee.

In contemporary fashion, ghararas are adapted with modern cuts and fabrics, maintaining traditional appeal while appealing to current bridal and formalwear trends. See also: lehenga, sharara.