Kurti is one of the most comfortable outfits of all the weathers. It is a traditional item of clothing usually worn in India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Sibilance and some other Asian countries. It is sort of loose shirt which fall above the knees and is usually worn by women. This outfit is flexible enough that it can be worn with loose fitting shalwar, jeans, pajama and semi tight. These days kurtis are worn both as casual and formal dresses.

The word kutri is mainly borrowed from Urdu language while originally it is a Persian word meaning collarless shirt. A traditional kurti consists of rectangular piece of fabric having some design and is so cut that none of the fabric is wasted. The sleeves of the traditional outfit falls to the wrists and do not narrow as that of the western cut sleeves. The sleeves are not coughed and are usually wide open, some of them having threaded designing. These days this outfit is also available in half sleeves and sleeveless designs.

The front and the back side of this outfit are generally rectangular and the sides are left open for about six to twelve inches above the hem which allows the wearer to move easily in a comfortable way. There is a little opening towards the front side which is a hemmed slit usually buttoned or tied with some fabric. The opening may be centered on the chest or may be positioned off the center. This outfit is generally without a collar while some of its modern variants may contain collar having style of sherwani, Nehru jackets or Achkans.

Kurtis that are used is summer are manufactured using thin silk or cotton fabric while the ones used in winter season are made up of some thicker fabric, wool or khadi silk which is thick, hand spun, hand woven and mixed with some other fabric. Buttons, cloth balls and loops are used to tighten this outfit, while some of the readymade designs avoid the use of buttons and loops. Kurtis that are worn on formal occasions contain metal buttons and some decorative features which are not sewn to the fabric but are fastened when needed.

There is a large diversity in the methods of the south Asian tailors to decorate the kurti. Some of them prefer the use of printed kurits while some prefer to have large embroidery work on them. Chikan embroidery around the hems and front opening is the feature of light summer Kurtis which is specialty of Lock now. This embroidery is typically done on some semi-transparent fabric with the help of a matching or contrast thread giving an attractive look.

Over the years kurti has continuously gained importance and fame among the south Asian societies and its use has increased manifold. This outfit has been included into traditional dresses at many places and is popularly worn by the women at various occasions and event. Hence increasing fame of this traditional dress continues to promote rich South Asian culture all over the world.