Saturday 9 January 2016

Trending Empire Waist and Anarkali


The history of Empire Waist goes back to the late 18th century. This is the period in fashion when women wore dresses with a fitted bodice with a high waisted line ending just below the bust. The rest of the dress used to be long and loosely fitted that covered the curves of the body but also made the body seem more voluminous.

Although Empire Waist originates in the West, it is a popular form in the East as well. Empire Waist is very similar to Anarkali style, where the bodies is fitted, ending just under the bust, and finishing off with a long and full volume frock. Unlike Empire Waist dresses, Anarkali outfits has a tight fitted bottom, usually a chori daar. Anarkali outfits were worn during the Mughal era and continue to be a popular form of outfits in the South Asian subcontinent.

Empire Waist or Anarkali, both forms of outfits
compliments all types of bodies. For women with minimal curves the fitted waist ending just under the bust creates an illusion of a fuller body. For women with heavier and pear shaped figures, this waistline gives an impression of slimmer waist while camouflaging tummy, any love handles, and wide rears. For women with smaller busts, this waistline can be fitted to make the bust look fuller and put more emphasis on it.

South Asian women continue the trend of Empire Waist or Anarkali in all seasons of fashion. Women wear this waist and style to casual get togethers with more simple styles, to parties with more elaborate work, and to weddings with heavy work usually on the bust area. Wear it whichever way you like and to wherever you like, this is the style that will look good and appeals to all.

Wednesday 1 April 2015

Agha Noor - Pakistan's Rising Star in Fashion


Agha Noor - Dolmen Mall, Karachi

Agha Noor – the rising brand name of Pakistan. 

This women’s apparel store has gained great popularity amongst the Pakistani women in just a few short years. Four siblings started the brand: Agha Hira, Agha Noor, Agha Salar, and Agha Taimoor. They opened their first store with only 50 pieces; however, today they have a work force of 500 people, two stores in Karachi, one store in Lahore, twelve new stores on the way for 2015, and new shipment of clothes arriving in stores every week. 


Women of Pakistan, whether they are college students, workingwomen, housewives, daughters, mothers, upper class, upper-middle class, lower-middle class, or lower class even all the women want Agha Noor.

And, why not?

The brand sells what no other brand does. Agha Noor sells clothes that are simple but elegant, wacky but fashionable, head turning but conventional, and rich but affordable. Pakistani women wear Agha Noor from everyday routine to formal dinners and parties to wedding and wedding related events. The versatility, accessibility, and affordability of the brand add to its popularity.


Above all, the affordability of the brand gives it a special place in the hearts of Pakistani women. The brand sells embroideries, block-prints on silk, printed chiffon, cotton-nets, glittering sequin, and much more all well under Rs 5,000. In this time of expensive brand names and bloated economy to get an outfit – stitched, to your liking, wearable to multiple events, and with great quality, well under $100 is indeed worth having a special place in any woman’s heart and pocket.



If you’re wondering when, where, and how can you get your hands to this amazing rising new star, then wonder no further. Agha Noor is coming to Toronto!! You will be able to wear this affordable, versatile, and innovative brand to your work, parties, wedding events, date nights, and much more. All you need to do is wait for Oriental Costumes big announcement.

So hang in there and you will be rewarded. 


Friday 20 March 2015

Jadavi Lacha

Jadavi Lacha Set
Hyderabad is one of India’s many cities that are rich in the history of politics, architecture, art, music, literature, cuisine, fashion, and jewellery. Due to influences of many cultures, empires, and kings this city offers you a taste of all its history. But mostly the city gives you the flavour of Mughal era, which highly influenced the city.



Hyderabad’s Khada Dupatta is one of the most popular outfits in South Asia. The Mughal Queen, Noor Jahan – wife of King Shah Jahan, originally designed the outfit. Brides of Hyderabad mostly wear Khada Dupatta to their weddings. It’s a six-yard long veil that is worn over a chori daar and a kameez.

Khada Dupatta
Along with the dupatta the bride or anyone else wearing the outfit, they wear a Jadavi Lacha. It is a piece of jewellery, also designed by Noor Jahan to wear with Khada Dupatta. The neckpiece is called Jadavi Lacha and is paired with gorgeous earrings, tikka, and a jhoomar. At the time of Mughal rule, the piece was made of pure gold with real stones inserted. The name of the jewellery comes from the stones being embedded in the gold. The word Jaravi come from “Jaraw” meaning stones embedded into something, and Lacha just means choker.


In today’s world this Mughal jewellery can be found and made in many place in South Asia; however, if you’re looking for an authentic one, then you will have to visit Hyderabad in India.


At Oriental Costumes, we make this piece along with the earrings, tikka, and jhoomar, on special order. We get our sets made in Hyderabad in India. If you want to outshine everyone to some special event or wants to be a bride with a hint of tradition and history then order this set at Oriental Costumes. We make sure that your get the authentic make of Jadavi Lacha.


For more information call us at 905-569-1515 or visit us at 3180 Ridgeway Drive, Mississauga.

Thursday 5 March 2015

History of Satin Fabric

Satin weave has been used since ancient times. It was invented in China more than two thousand years ago. The fabric is often associated with luxury, romance, rich, and sensuousness. Satin fabric is made of fine silk with cotton yarns or rayon or acetate or polyester. The fabric has a smooth, lustrous surface, and possesses the best draping qualities out of all the other fabrics.


Satin must be woven on a loom with at least six (or more) harnesses. The floats are usually staggered to make the surface look as smooth and seamless as possible. Packing the floats very close together further enhances this property of the fabric. The floats are packed with such closeness that even under magnification it can be difficult to see the structure of the satin weave.



Satin fabric is popular in the making of many things. It is used to make ballet slippers to evening dress to lingerie to wedding dress. In South Asia, Satin fabric is used for lining under heavy work, for saree blouses, for lehnga tops, and much more. The fabric is best for ghararas. At Oriental Costumes we carry all colours of Satin Fabric. They are perfect for any of the above articles in an outfit but also perfect for any of your DIY projects.



To see these beautiful pieces visit us at 3180 Ridgeway Drive, Units 39 & 40, Mississauga, ON or visit our website: www.oriental-costumes.com

Also, check us out on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram; and hashtag us using #orientalcostumes to share your creations – be it clothes or home décor.

Thursday 26 February 2015

Defining Crepe Silk


Crepe Fabric is characterized as a crinkled, puckered or pebbly surface. The fabric is made with highly twisted yarns in weft, sometimes in the wrap, or sometimes in both. Crepe is usually made with a plain weave. The fabric is woven from all of the major fibres, natural or man-made.


Crepe Silk is a luxurious fabric with an elegant sheen or a pebbly texture obtained by using high twist yarns. The fabric gives an elegant, expensive, and posh look. Crepe Silk is extensively used to make dresses, slacks, skirts, lightweight suits, bridal gowns, and evening wear. There are different types of crape silk, each one made in a different manner, and each one giving out a different look.


At Oriental Costumes we have received our latest collection of Crepe Silk outfits. The outfits are unstitched and include materials for kameez (top), shalwar (bottoms), and dupatta (veil). These beautiful prints come in two types of Crepe Silk.

  1. Crepe Silk with shiny, silky, and pebbly texture
  2. Crepe Silk with smooth surface and without any texture



Each style has its own beauty and gives out a different type of elegance and sophistication.


To see these beautiful pieces visit us at 3180 Ridgeway Drive, Units 39 & 40, Mississauga, ON or visit our website: www.oriental-costumes.com

Also, check us out on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram; and hashtag us using #orientalcostumes to share your creations – be it clothes or home décor.