Occasions and ordering · 8 October 2026 · 3 min read
Moving abroad: which Pakistani outfits to take
What clothes to take when moving abroad from Pakistan: a first-year list of everyday suits, Eid and formal outfits, what to leave behind and what to order later.
InspirationPack for one year, not for ever
Take enough for your first year: a handful of everyday suits you already wear every week, one or two Eid outfits, one formal outfit for a wedding or dinner, and your measurements with a kameez that fits you well. Leave behind heavy formal wear, anything that already feels tight, and fabrics that will not suit your new climate.
The reason is simple. Until you have lived through a full year somewhere, you do not know how cold the winter is, what people wear at work or university, or how often you will need something dressy. Luggage is limited, and the gaps are easier to fill once you know them.
A first-year list
Adjust the numbers to how often you can do laundry. In shared student housing it may be once a week.
- Everyday kurtas or two-piece sets: six to eight, in washable cottons. Choose ones that also work with jeans; our campus outfits article shows how.
- Plain trousers: three or four in black, white, navy or beige, so they pair with most tops.
- Eid: one or two outfits that pack flat. Light embroidery travels better than heavy beading.
- One formal outfit: for a wedding, a dinner or a cultural evening. A colour you can wear more than once is wiser than a showpiece.
- Dupattas and shawls: two neutral dupattas and one warm shawl.
- A template kameez: one that fits you well, kept as a reference for future orders.
- Your measurements: written down in both inches and centimetres, with the date you took them.
Match the climate first
Climate changes the list more than anything else. Lawn that is perfect in Lahore in June is thin for a British winter, and a khaddar suit will sit unused in Dubai. Look up the climate before you pack, and read our guides to shalwar kameez for British weather, winters in Canada and the US or fabrics for Gulf heat.
Coats, boots and thermals are usually easier to buy after you arrive, where shops stock what the local winter needs.
What to leave behind
Heavy formals take up a lot of weight for something you might wear once. Old suits you have not worn in a year will not suddenly be worn abroad either. Delicate pieces that need specialist dry cleaning can also be a nuisance where that service is hard to find.
Unstitched suits are a special case: they pack flat and light, so a few good ones are worth taking. Once you are settled, you can have them stitched with our Stitching Only service. You post the fabric to us in Pakistan after we confirm it is suitable, and we ship the finished outfit back to you, so it involves two shipping stages.
Ordering once you know what is missing
After a season or two you will know what you actually reach for. That is the moment to order made to measure: send your measurements or describe your template kameez, choose the fabric for the climate you now know, and ask for a quote with your new address in the country, such as the UK or any of our other delivery countries.
We make every order in Pakistan, and the quote includes delivery to your door and any import charges. Making takes 5 to 7 working days from approval and full payment, and shipping time is added.
Common questions
Can I wear shalwar kameez to work or university abroad?
In most places, yes. A kurta with straight trousers or jeans is ordinary smart casual wear in many offices and campuses. Keep the fabric plain or lightly printed and the embroidery minimal for daily wear.
Should I take unstitched suits or stitched ones?
Take mostly stitched clothes you can wear on arrival, plus a few unstitched suits if you have room. Unstitched fabric is light and flat, and it lets you choose the cut later for your new climate.
How do I keep my measurements up to date?
Remeasure after the first few months, since a change in routine and food can change them. Note the date beside each set so you know which is current.
