Afghan Traditional Clothes

In Afghanistan, people wear both the traditional clothes and the western clothes; however, you will see more people wearing Afghan traditional clothes.  The western clothes are usually worn in formal settings and schools. In the capital city of Afghanistan, Kabul, more people wear western clothes, but in other big cities like Jalalabad or Kandahar you will see most of the people wearing Afghan traditional clothes.  The traditional clothes that Afghan men wear are referred to as Shalwar Kamees which consist of large baggy pants and a long top that covers up to the knees.  The pants are called Tonbaan and the top is called Peraahan; in Afghanistan people refer to this kind of clothes as Peraahan-Tonbaan.  They are made of soft fabric and are very comfortable.  The following are the related words to the Afghan traditional clothes and their descriptions.

Peraahan is a long shirt or top covering the upper body up to the knees that men in Afghanistan wear as part of the traditional clothes. Peraahan can also mean any type of dress.

Tonbaan is the baggy pants that both men and women in Afghanistan wear. These pants are very loose and comfortable.

Waaskat= waistcoat

Pakool  is the round hat that men in Afghanistan and some parts of Pakistan wear.

Patoo: is a long shawl for men, it is usually thick and is worn in winter.

Longee = turban

Dastmal = men’s scarf

Chaplee = sandals, usually refers to men’s traditional sandals.