Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Islamic Wedding Dresses and Gowns (hijab)


Many Muslim brides tend to choose wedding dresses that are traditional, and white. Brides from subcontinent of Asian prefer shalwar-qameez that is scarlet, with henna decorated feet and hands in intricate and beautiful patterns.

Shalwar-qameez Shalwar-qameez or Qamis/Kammez is a wedding dress that is traditionally worn in the Southern countries of Asia. It is popular in India, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and Pakistan, were it is worn widely. Salwar Kammez is worn commonly by Muslim males and women. It is popular as a wedding dress in many Afghani and Pakistani women.

A shalwar is pajama bottom-like, and loose trouser that is wide at the thighs and waist, and tapers down towards the bottom, where it is stitched narrowly at the very bottom edges. Pleats adorn it at the waist level, and are held in place through an elastic band, or drawstring, or more traditionally through woven cord, called ‘Naada’ or ‘Naala’. There are different style takes among the ladies’ shalwars, from the more traditional to the contemporary.

Women’s wedding shalwars are baggy and wide, although the ladies nowadays wear figure hugging or tight shalwars, named ‘Pyjamies’ or ‘Churidar Pyjamies’. One of the more famous versions of shalawar designs is the Patiala Shahi Shalwars, popular among the regions of Malwa and Patiala in Indian Punjab, with the most striking feature about them is their waist cords, Naada or Naala, that are woven.

Kameez Kameez is a tunic or long shirt, with side seams that are open. These sides, called the ‘Chaak’ are open to about the waist line level, for greater movement for the wearer. A traditional kameez is cut flat and straight, with side cuts that are traditional, but a more contemporary kameez sports set in sleeves, which are inspired by European tastes. A traditional kameez, for both women, usually have loose or normal fitting, although it is more common in modern times to see fashionable Islamic women put on a kameez that is figure hugging.

Typically, a fine kameez tailor will be identified by the intricate and beautiful stitching techniques. Necklines are paid particular attention, as they are beautifully stitched to make them beautiful for the wedding day. The techniques that can be utilized to beautify a wedding kameez are such as beaded necklines, embroidered necklines, decorative necklines, and simple and unadorned necklines.

Somali wedding bride dresses Other Islamic countries also have location, particular Islamic beliefs specific wedding dresses, as Somali brides prefer beautiful Guntiino, which resemble Indian Saris, and are brightly colored and full length, a head covering of Garbasaar, and slip called Googaro, which is worn underneath the dress. The Dirac or Direh, which is a dress that is lightweight, typically put on over a petticoat or a slip. Gold jewelry and makeup may be worn as accessories, with hair adornments as well.

Other Islamic wedding dresses Islamic women also favor certain garments for their wedding ceremonies. These include long modesty skirts, beautifully bead or precious metal blouses, a Jalabeeb or Burqa, which cloaks the full length of the body as it is a long garment. Others include a simple head wrap known as the Masar, a Hijab, which is a hair covering head scarf, and Coantino, which is draped over one’s head, as it is a large cloth, and then tied at waist level.

sources : http://www.totally-weddings.com/islamic-wedding-dresses-and-wedding-gowns.html