It was one of my family weddings, and we were all buzzing with excitement. Everyone had already decided on their outfits and how they were going to style them. We ended up at this super high-end designer store in Delhi, and I eagerly asked the attendant, “Can you show me a Gharara set in ivory?”
She brought out this stunning outfit—beautifully embroidered, elegant, and clearly made with a lot of skill. I was thrilled… until I suddenly blurted out, “But this is a sharara, not a gharara!” (half joking, half serious).
The store attendant, of course, tried to convince me otherwise. But in that moment, something struck me. As a fashion enthusiast, I realised how often we, as a South Asian community, mix up or even forget the cultural distinctions in our clothing pieces that carry decades of history and meaning. And it got me thinking—it’s really time we reclaim, remember, and celebrate what we already know.
Know the difference
Shararas and ghararas are both traditional garments with roots in Mughal, Persian, and Awadhi cultures, and while they often get confused with one another, they do have their own distinct character. A sharara usually has a skirt-like bottom, made up of multiple panels stitched together to create a flowy, flared look. It can also be thought of as wide, loose pants with plenty of volume. They’re versatile enough to be paired with both short and long kurtis and are often made in lighter fabrics such as georgette, chiffon, or silk, which only adds to their graceful fall and movement.
A gharara, meanwhile, is instantly recognisable by its unique band around the knee. The silhouette is straight or slightly loose until the knee, and from that band onwards, it bursts into a dramatic flare. Historically, ghararas were crafted from rich, heavier fabrics like brocade, jamawar, or zari, which gave them a regal and structured presence. They were traditionally styled with shorter kurtis, balancing the heavy flare of the bottoms.
Over time, as fashion evolved, many hybrid styles began to emerge, blending elements of both sharara and gharara. And while these modern variations are beautiful in their own right, it’s still worth remembering and cherishing the details that distinguish the originals. After all, both carry with them stories of craftsmanship, culture, and heritage—threads of history woven into every pleat and panel.
It can get confusing, and we understand. To make it less of a hustle, we have curated a gharara guide for you to shop.
Misri By Megha Nayyar Mirror Hoor Gharara Set, ₹19,999
Monika Nidhee Noor Gharara Set, ₹112,700
Sheetal Batra Tahira Daisy Ivory Kurta Garara Set, ₹30,000
Torani Chandramallika Manmayi Gharara Set, ₹294,500
Muditaa By Urmila Mustard Yellow Georgette Embroidered Gharara Set, ₹24,850
Anushka Khanna Off White Embroidered Gharara Set ₹ 89,900
Punit Balana Mughal Gharara Set, ₹95,000
Anita Dongre Chand Gota Patti & Resham Silk Gharara Set, ₹575,000
Mahima Mahajan Sanah Powder Blue Gharara Set, ₹78,900
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