This garment is called a Sherwani and it is distinctively Indian and Bengali in culture, however the style was greatly inspired by British frock coats. In the 19th century, Sherwani as we know it today was the typical dress of British nobles and high class. I wore a Sherwani to my brother’s wedding, and it is commonly worn in large cultural and social events such as weddings and receptions. People typically factor in wedding dress such as Sherwani’s as a large factor in wedding expenses, as these cultural garments are made of mostly silk and are usually hand embroidered and the stones on the cuffs and collar are also hand set. Mine took about two months from order to delivery as it has to be shipped over from India. Sherwani’s are often worn with long pants that fit tightly to the legs and with special traditional shoes. The best way to understand the Sherwani’s place in my family’s culture is the think of it like how some people wear suits; we wear them once a year, if that, and when we do, the atmosphere and our surroundings and the whole vibe of the setting changes. Putting on the sherwani is symbolic of cultural and social respect and dignity, and they hold a special place in the closets of those who have one. Before my brother’s wedding was thought of, I never even knew about the Sherwani, as I’ve never seen one in person before, proving the exclusivity in nature of the time where one would wear the Sherwani.

– Zahin Ahmed

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