Farshi Gharara for Brides in Canada

What Makes a Gharara Farshi

Its roots are in Awadh. The Victoria and Albert Museum holds Lucknow examples: a farshi paijama from about 1830 to 1840, with each leg built from triangular panels, and a farshi gharara from about 1920. A band of gota traditionally covers the joint at the knee, where the upper leg meets the flare. The farshi cut carries that flare to the floor. That is the whole difference. The bride lets it trail, or gathers it over her arm as she walks.

Farshi Gharara, Farshi Lehenga or Sharara

• Farshi gharara: divided legs, a knee joint and a floor-length flare.
• Farshi lehenga: a skirt, not divided, with a hem that trails behind. See our farshi lehengas.
• Sharara: trousers usually described as flaring without a knee joint, though usage varies between families and designers. See our Nikkah shararas.

When Brides Wear It

In Pakistan the farshi gharara is still a favourite wedding garment. Press coverage shows it paired with an angrakha for the Baraat and in a Delhi-cut version for the Walima. Kamkhab, brocade, tissue and silk are the customary bases, with zardozi, dabka and gota for the work. A short or knee-length shirt keeps the flare visible. For that pairing, see our angrakha dresses.

Made to Measure

Length matters more here than on any other bridal bottom. We cut yours from the measurements you confirm, and the flare, trail and knee band can be adjusted where the design allows. Progress photos are yours on request, and a filmed internal quality check follows once the gharara is finished. The Rush tier, at CAD $59, takes up to 30 calendar days.

Questions Before You Order

Is it hard to walk in?

It takes a little practice. Most brides hold a section of the flare over the arm or hand while walking, and the trail rests behind when standing.

Which designer looks use it most?

It appears often in our Ammara Khan inspired bridals, in red, maroon and antique gold with a worked shirt.