The Kurti: Ethnic Wear, Every Day

Broadly, a kurta is the longer, more traditional tunic (worn by men and women), while a kurti tends to be shorter and is generally a women's garment, often more contemporary in cut. In everyday use the terms are frequently interchanged.

Common silhouettes include straight-cut (the daily classic), A-line (flaring gently from the shoulders), Anarkali kurti (a shorter flared frock style), high-low or asymmetric hems, and relaxed kaftan or angrakha styles.

As a general guide, A-line and Anarkali kurtis balance a pear shape, straight-cut styles with light bottoms suit an apple shape, and most figures are flattered by a defined shoulder and a hem that falls at a slimming point.

A kurti stitched to your measurements fits better than a standard size - cleaner at the shoulder and truer at the length - which is why a tailored kurti simply sits and moves better.

Kantha is a traditional hand-embroidery from the Bengal region built on the simple running stitch. It began with rural women layering old saris and stitching them into quilts, and grew into an art form used today on saris, dupattas and designer wear.

Kantha originates in rural Bengal — today's West Bengal in India and Bangladesh. In 2008, Nakshi Kantha received the Geographical Indication (GI) tag for West Bengal, associated especially with the Birbhum district near Shantiniketan.

The running stitch — the simplest of all embroidery stitches. Repeated with skill, it outlines motifs and fills areas, creating Kantha's soft, rippled, textured surface. Every piece is slightly different because it is entirely hand-worked.

Yes. Kantha and Kantha-inspired detailing appears today on blouses, saris, dupattas, kurtas and jackets. Being hand-done, it gives each garment a genuinely one-of-a-kind, heritage character.