FORMAL WEAR HISTORY:

Formal wear, formal attire or full dress is the traditional Western dress code
category applicable for the most formal occasions, such as weddings,
christenings, confirmations, funerals, Easter and Christmas traditions, in
addition to certain state dinners, audiences, balls, and horse racing events.
Formal wear is traditionally divided into formal day and evening wear; implying
morning dress (morning coat) before 6 p.m., and white tie (dress coat) after 6
p.m.[citation needed] Generally permitted other alternatives, though, are the
most formal versions of ceremonial dresses (including court dresses,
diplomatic uniforms and academic dresses), full dress uniforms, religious
clothing, national costumes, and most rarely frock coats (which preceded
morning coat as default formal day wear 1820s-1920s). In addition, formal
wear is often instructed to be worn with official full size orders and medals.

The protocol indicating particularly men's traditional formal wear has

remained virtually unchanged since the early 20th century. Despite decline
following the counterculture of the 1960s, it remains observed in formal
settings influenced by Western culture: notably around Europe, the Americas,
South Africa, Australia, as well as Japan. For women, although fundamental
customs for formal ball gowns (and wedding gowns) likewise apply, changes in
fashion have been more dynamic. Traditional formal headgear for men is the
top hat, and for women picture hats etc. of a range of interpretations. Shoes
for men are dress shoes, dress boots or pumps and for women heeled dress
pumps. Other accessories such as gloves for men and opera gloves for women
may be worn.

Formal wear being the most formal dress code, it is followed by semi-formal
wear, equivalently based around daytime black lounge suit, and evening black
tie (dinner suit/tuxedo), and evening gown for women. The male lounge suit
and female cocktail dress in turn only comes after this level, traditionally
associated with informal attire. Notably, if a level of flexibility is indicated (for
example "uniform, morning coat or lounge suit", such as seen to the royal
wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in 2018), the hosts tend to wear
the most formal interpretation of that dress code in order to save guests the
inconvenience of out-dressing.
Since the most formal versions of national costumes are typically permitted as
supplementary alternatives to the uniformity of Western formal dress codes,
conversely, since most cultures have at least intuitively applied some
equivalent level of formality, the versatile framework of Western formal dress
codes open to amalgamation of international and local customs have
influenced its competitiveness as international standard. From these social
conventions derive in turn also the variants worn on related occasions of
varying solemnity, such as formal political, diplomatic, and academic events, in
addition to certain parties including award ceremonies, balls, fraternal orders,
high school proms, etc.

FEMALE FORMAL CLOTHING IN PAKISTAN:

Pakistani clothing refers to the ethnic clothing that is typically worn by people
in the country of Pakistan and by the people of Pakistani origin. Pakistani
clothes express the culture of Pakistan, the demographics of Pakistan and
cultures from the Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (Pashtun)
and Kashmir regions of the country. Dress in each regional culture reflect
weather conditions, way of living and distinctive style which gives it a unique
identity among all cultures.
The shalwar kameez is national dress of Pakistan and is worn by men and
women in all Five provinces Punjab, Sindh, Baluchistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
And Gilgit Baltistan in the country and in Azad Kashmir. Shalwar refers to loose
trousers and kameez refers to shirts. Since 1982, all officials working in the
secretariat are required to wear the national dress.

Each province has its own style of wearing the salwar kameez such as Sindhi
shalwar kameez, Punjabi shalwar kameez, Pashtun shalwar kameez and
Balochi shalwar kameez. Pakistanis wear clothes ranging from exquisite colours
and designs to various types of fabric such as silk, chiffon, cotton, etc.
Other traditional dresses
Pakistani women have a variety of traditional dresses in addition to the
shalwar kameez but they mostly wear them on special occasions such as on
weddings, engagements, mehndi and other traditional ceremonies.
The dresses include the ghagra choli and saris which are very popular and its
each design and color seems unique from the other e.g. lehenga style sari. The
lehenga is another popular dress which resembles a skirt but is traditional
dress. The gharara and sharara are two similar dresses which are often worn
on ceremonial occasions. Farshi Pajama is an old traditional dress which is
worn occasionally. Laacha is worn in the Punjab,[17] the lower part of which
resembles the dhoti.

Regional clothing
Balochistan:
Main article: Clothing of Balochistan, Pakistan
A typical dress of a Baloch woman consists of a long frock and shalwar with a
headscarf. Balochi women wear heavy embroidered shalwar kameez and
dupatta with the embroidery utilising Shisha work.[19] The Balochi Duch from
Makran District is one of the many forms of Balochi dresses and is famous all
across Balochistan. Since it is purely hand embroidered, Balochi Duch is
expensive and takes months to complete a single Balochi suit.

Pakistani Baloch Lady

Sindh:
Main article: Sindhi dress
In addition to wearing the suthan and cholo, Sindhi women wear the lehenga
and choli known as the gaji which is a pullover shirt worn in the mountain
areas of Sindh. The gaji is composed of small, square panels, embroidered on
silk and sequins. The neck line of the gaji is cut high, and round on one side,
with a slit opening extending the other. Unmarried girls wear the opening to
the back and married women, to the front.[20] Sindhi clothing displays
embroidery using mirrors.[19]

Sindhi girl

Ralli

Punjab:
Main articles: Punjabi clothing and Saraiki shalwar suits
Punjabi women wear the straight cut Punjabi shalwar kameez,[21] which is
most frequently worn. Punjabi women, in villages, also wear the Pothohari
shalwar, the Patiala shalwar, the laacha (tehmat),[22] kurti,[23] ghagra,[24]
lehenga and phulkari.
Saraiki Tradition women wearing ghagra
Cultural dress

Pakistani Punjabis at a WEDDING

Pakistani fashion industry

Pakistani fashion industry is introducing Pakistani traditional dresses all over
the world as cultural representatives and becoming a reason to introduce
international trends in Pakistan. Pakistani media, Film Industry and Internet
has the biggest role in promoting fashion in Pakistan. There are a lot of TV
Channels, Magazines, Portals and websites which are working only for fashion
industry.

Pakistani fashion designers

 Maheen Khan
 Sadaf Malaterre
 Mehmood Bhatti
 Deepak Perwani
 Kamiar Rokni
 Hassan Sheheryar Yasin
 Amir Adnan
 Pakistan Brands name:
 Junaid Jamshed

Pakistani fashion Brands

 Khaadi
 Sapphire
 Alkaram Studio
 Chen One
 Gul Ahmed
 Sana Safinaz
 Maria B
 Ethnic
 LimeLight
 Warda