Kurta is essentially a shirt or top which is longer than the ideal shirt. The simplicity in design and the comfort it offers, makes the Kurta; popular clothing in India. Kurta is also an essential part of fusion clothing- an emerging trend.

The highly acclaimed kurta can be categorized as follows:

Kurta for men: Men's Kurta may be categorized as casual wear and formal wear depending on the fabric and designs. Men` Kurta made from khadi, cotton or nylon is typically worn as casual wear. A kurta is the most preferred outfit for events like puja and traditional get-together. Devout Muslims in India wear kurta for special prayer sessions. Kurtas not only have an innate ethnicity but are comfortable and ideal for summers as well. Men's Kurta in silk or satin is apt for Indian formal wear. They often have embroidery, sequin or beads adorning the sleeves and neck.

Kurta for women: Women's Kurta come in varied patterns, fabric and trimmings. Women's Kurta used as casual wear is generally made of cotton and the very Indian khadi fabric. Their elegance is enhanced with suitable designs obtained by printing or dyeing. Sanganeri prints, hand block prints, tie and dye are a few of the designs often seen in the very Indian Women's Kurta, that often make up the casual wear category.

Women's kurta categorized under party wear, comprise kurtas exclusively made of silk and festooned with intricate designs. This type of Women's kurta may be worn with straight cut bottoms or the traditional Punjabi bottom. Women's Kurta with bold prints; made ornate with beads and teamed with suitable jewellery make appropriate party wear kurta.

Fusion-wear kurta: A blend of eastern and western outfits is popularly known as fusion dressing. Kurta when teamed with jeans or trousers give the fusion look. They may be complemented with a stole or scarf. Fusion wear kurta is preferably made from fabrics festooned with bold prints, block prints or contemporary designs. Earth shades suit the whole concept of fusion better. White is also a preferred color for fusion wear kurta, more so if it is accessorized with beads and other trinkets.

Designer Kurta: As the name suggests, designer kurta is specifically designed to accentuate a particular, style and approach towards fashion. Designer kurta is often accompanied with bold unconventional prints and novel designs on light fabric.

Designer kurta with an ethnic touch and a fabric that complements the ethnicity, like silk or chiffon can be idyllically worn as party wear. Designer kurta when teamed with suitable accessories and a western bottom transforms to fusion wear. Designer kurta may be conventional or contemporary depending mainly on the designer, the particular market it is crafted for and sometimes the brand.

Kurta is an emerging fashion concept. Although it was popular since the early nineteenth century, the contemporary touch and novel designs have made them an integral part of the wardrobe today. Teaming the traditional kurta with suitable trinkets to give it a contemporary look is an art in itself. Make the best of this Indian outfit and add panache to your wardrobe.