A 3-piece suit is a shirt, trousers and a dupatta or shawl, bought together. It is the most useful thing in a Pakistani wardrobe, because it is really three garments that can be worn apart as well as together. Here are six ways to wear one.
1. As it comes
The simplest answer, and often the best one. The three pieces are cut and printed to sit together, so the dupatta finishes the look without any thought. This is the way to wear it for Eid lunches, family visits and any day you would rather not decide.
Shop: 3-piece suits
2. Leave the dupatta at home
Wear the shirt and trousers on their own and the same suit becomes everyday clothing. It is cooler in summer, quicker to leave the house in, and easier to repeat without anyone noticing.
Shop: 2-piece suits
3. Change the trousers
Keep the shirt and dupatta, and wear them with plain trousers in a colour from the print. A printed shirt over plain khaddar or crepe trousers reads as a new outfit, and it makes each suit go further.
Shop: Trousers
4. Add a shrug
An open-front shrug over the shirt gives the outfit a third layer without the weight of a dupatta. It suits air-conditioned offices in summer and cool evenings in winter, and it works with almost any suit you already own.
Shop: Shrugs · Five ways to wear a shrug
5. Dress it up for a wedding
For weddings, dinners and festive evenings, reach for embroidery and a richer fabric. Raw silk holds embroidery beautifully and usually comes with an organza or net dupatta, which lifts the whole look.
Shop: Formal wear · Raw silk
6. Wear it through the seasons
The same shape works all year; the fabric is what changes. Printed silk lawn is light and breathable for the hottest months. Crepe drapes softly and carries you from day into evening at any time of year. Khaddar and slub cotton are thicker and warmer for winter, and many winter suits come with a shawl instead of a dupatta.
Shop: Summer · Winter
A note on fit
Stitched suits are ready to wear in sizes XS to XL. If you would rather have a suit made to your own measurements, the same winter designs are sold as unstitched khaddar suits, with the shirt and trouser fabric and a shawl or dupatta ready for your tailor.
Shop all: 3-piece suits · Which fabric for which season?
