Style guide · Shalwar and trousers
Gharara Designs for Eid and Casual Occasions
Quick answer
A gharara fits closely from the waist to around the knee, then joins a wide, flared section that falls to the floor. The seam at the knee is traditionally covered with a band of lace, gota or embroidery, which becomes a feature in its own right. It suits Eid and casual gatherings rather than bridal wear, and needs around 5 to 6 metres of fabric.
What it is
A gharara is made in two parts on each leg: a fitted upper section from the waist to around the knee, and a wide, flared lower section that falls to the floor. The join is covered with a decorative band, and that band, together with the sudden flare below it, is what sets a gharara apart from a sharara, which is wide all the way down.
A casual gharara is lighter, with a simple lace band and a gentler flare; a dressier one has more fullness and a richer band of gota or embroidery.
Who and what it suits
- Short kurti or peplum top: leaves the knee band and the flare on show. See our peplum and short kurti guide.
- Not a knee-length kameez: a longer top hides the band, so a sharara suits it better.
- Eid, dawats and family gatherings: festive without being bridal. Our Eid ideas have more.
- A relaxed Eid day: a lawn or cotton gharara with a simple lace band is lighter and easier for a day of visiting.
Fabric and how much you need
Cotton silk, raw silk and jacquard give the flare body. Chiffon and georgette are graceful but need lining. Lawn and cotton make a lighter, cooler gharara that is far easier to wash.
As a rough guide, a gharara takes around 5 to 6 metres of 45 inch (114 cm) fabric, depending on the fullness and your height, so the trouser piece of around 2.5 metres in a standard suit is not enough on its own. For the knee band you can use lace, gota, a strip of the embroidered border from your suit pack, or a contrast fabric. Our gharara and sharara guide covers the fabric choices in more detail.
Measurements that matter
Because the upper part is fitted, give your waist, hip and thigh, and tell us where you want the knee band to sit, measured down from the waist, so the flare starts at the right height. The trouser length should be measured in the shoes you’ll wear, so the hem just clears the floor.
How to ask for it
Choose “Gharara” under trouser style on the stitching quote form. In the notes, describe the knee band (lace, gota, embroidered border or fabric), how full you want the flare and whether it should be lined. Add a reference photo, since names vary and a picture is the clearest brief.
Common questions
Do you make bridal ghararas?
No. We don’t make bridal wear, but a gharara with a lace or gota band works well for Eid and family gatherings.
What goes over the knee seam on a gharara?
Traditionally a band of lace, gota or embroidery. You can use a strip of the border from your suit pack or a lace you supply, or choose “advise me” and we’ll suggest one.
Last reviewed 30 September 2026.
