Pakistani Men’s Wedding Wear Guide: Sherwani, Prince Coat, Waistcoat & Kurta Pajama

Most wedding planning revolves around the bride, and fair enough. But the groom, his brothers, his father, and every male guest also need something to wear across three or four events. They usually start thinking about it about two weeks before the mehndi.

This guide covers the main pieces of Pakistani men’s wedding wear: the sherwani, the prince coat, the waistcoat, and the kurta pajama or shalwar kameez. For each one you’ll find when to wear it, how to style it, and what to check before you buy. It is written for grooms and guests in Canada, where you have to plan around winter weather, delivery times and alterations.

Quick Guide: Which Outfit for Which Event?

1. The Sherwani: The Groom’s Statement Piece

The sherwani is the most formal garment in Pakistani menswear. It is a knee-length or longer coat with a high band collar and a row of buttons down the front, worn over a fitted churidar or straight trouser. If you only buy one heavy outfit for the wedding, it is the baraat sherwani.

Black vs. ivory: the two classics

Ivory and off-white are the traditional baraat choice. They suit almost any bridal colour and look good in photos. Our Abdul Ivory White Embroidered Sherwani is a good example: ivory jacquard with floral embroidery, finished with sequins and adda work.

Black is a bolder option, and “black sherwani” is one of our most searched men’s styles. It works well for an evening baraat or a winter wedding. The Dar Black Embroidered Sherwani uses ebony jacquard with linear embroidery, mirror-work and tilla, so it has detail without looking loud.

How to style a sherwani

• Footwear: khussa or mojari in gold, ivory or a tone that matches the embroidery.

• Kulla or pagri: optional. If the bride wears red, a turban with a matching or contrasting shawl ties the two looks together.

• Shawl or stole: a draped shawl over one shoulder adds warmth for outdoor photos in a Canadian winter.

• Keep accessories light: the embroidery is the focus. A simple brooch or a mala is enough.

Browse the full men’s sherwani collection.

2. The Prince Coat: The Modern Alternative

A prince coat sits between a sherwani and a Western suit. It has the same band collar but a shorter, more tailored cut, usually ending at the upper thigh, with lighter embellishment. That makes it easier to move in and easier to wear again after the wedding.

Many grooms now choose a sherwani for the baraat and a prince coat for the walima, which is often a more relaxed, reception-style event. Fathers and brothers of the groom also pick prince coats so they look formal without matching the groom.

Prince coat or sherwani?

• Choose a sherwani for the main event and when you want the most traditional look.

• Choose a prince coat for walima, nikah or receptions, or if you want something you will wear again.

• A jewel tone (emerald, navy, maroon) or a textured neutral (champagne, grey, beige) works well with plain trousers.

3. The Waistcoat: The Most Versatile Piece

If you are a guest at three events in one weekend, the waistcoat is the most useful thing you can own. Pair it with a plain kurta pajama and you’re dressed for a mehndi. Swap to a crisp white kurta and you’re ready for the nikah. Wear it over a shirt and trousers and it works for a dinner too.

How to wear a waistcoat with a kurta

• Contrast colours: a dark waistcoat over a light kurta (or the reverse) looks sharp.

• Length: the waistcoat should end at or just below the hip, well above the kurta hem.

• Fit: it should close flat across the chest without pulling at the buttons. If it gapes, size up.

• Embroidery: a light floral or thread-work waistcoat, like Republic by Omar Farooq’s Off White Floral Embroidered Waistcoat, dresses up a plain kurta straight away.

See all styles in our men’s waistcoat collection.

4. Kurta Pajama & Shalwar Kameez: The Everyday Classics

These are the base of Pakistani menswear. A kurta pajama pairs a long tunic with straight or churidar trousers. A shalwar kameez uses looser, gathered shalwar trousers and usually a collared kameez.

• White kurta pajama: the go-to for nikah ceremonies, Jummah and Eid. It is simple and it always looks right. Shop our white kurta pajama.

• Coloured or embroidered kurtas: best for the mehndi. Go for mustard, green, rust or a print.

• Boski shalwar kameez: boski is a soft silk with a natural sheen. It is a favourite for formal daytime events because it looks rich without embellishment.

Explore the men’s kurta sets and the full men’s collection.

What to Wear for Each Wedding Event

Guest tip: at the baraat, do not wear ivory or cream sherwanis. That look belongs to the groom. A waistcoat over a kurta in a rich colour is always a safe, smart choice.

Coordinating with the Bride

The groom doesn’t need to match the bride, but the two outfits should work together. A few rules:

• Red or maroon bridal lehenga: go ivory, gold or champagne. Pick up her colour in the turban, shawl or pocket square.

• Pastel walima outfit: a matching pastel or a soft grey prince coat looks clean in photos.

• Heavy bridal embroidery: keep the groom’s embroidery lighter so the two outfits don’t compete.

Still choosing her look? See our guide to Pakistani bridal dresses. Female guests can find ideas in Pakistani wedding guest dresses.

Fit & Buying Tips for Grooms in Canada

1. Start 8–12 weeks out. Designer and made-to-order pieces from Pakistan need production and shipping time. Leave room for alterations.

2. Know your chest, shoulder and length measurements. A sherwani fits through the shoulders first. Sleeves and length are easy to alter, shoulders are not.

3. Try it on with your shoes. Sherwani length and trouser break look different with khussa than with dress shoes.

4. Plan for the weather. Baraat photos outdoors in December? Choose heavier jacquard or velvet and keep a shawl handy.

5. Consider made-to-order. If you need a specific colour or a matching family set, our made-to-order collection lets you personalise the piece.

Designer Spotlight: Republic by Omar Farooq

Republic by Omar Farooq is one of Pakistan’s best-known menswear labels, and many of our customers come to us for it. The label combines Mughal-inspired florals with modern, art-deco details across sherwanis, waistcoats, prince coats, kurtas and shalwar kameez. At Labels & Co you’ll find pieces from the line in Canada without ordering from overseas. Shop Republic by Omar Farooq.

Want to see more of the designers we carry? Read Top Pakistani Designers.

Shop Pakistani Men’s Wedding Wear at Labels & Co

Labels & Co brings Pakistani designer menswear to Canada, from baraat sherwanis to everyday kurta pajamas. Shop online with delivery across Canada, or visit our Mississauga store to see the fabric and check the fit in person before the big day.

Frequently Asked Questions

What do Pakistani men wear to a wedding?

Pakistani men usually wear a kurta pajama or shalwar kameez, often with a waistcoat, for the mehndi and nikah. The groom wears a sherwani for the baraat, and grooms and close family often wear a prince coat for the walima. Male guests usually choose a waistcoat over a kurta or a prince coat.

What is the difference between a sherwani and a prince coat?

A sherwani is a long, knee-length coat with heavy embellishment, worn mainly by the groom at the baraat. A prince coat has the same band collar but a shorter, more tailored cut and lighter detailing, so it suits the walima, nikah and receptions and is easier to wear again.

What colour sherwani should a groom wear?

Ivory, off-white and gold are the traditional baraat colours and go with most bridal outfits. Black is a popular modern option for evening and winter weddings. Pick a colour that complements the bride’s outfit rather than matches it exactly.

Can a guest wear a sherwani to a Pakistani wedding?

It’s best to avoid it, especially at the baraat, where the sherwani belongs to the groom. Guests look just as smart in a prince coat or an embroidered waistcoat over a kurta.

How early should I order a sherwani in Canada?

Aim for 8 to 12 weeks before the wedding. That allows time for made-to-order production, shipping and at least one round of alterations.