Key Difference – Kurta vs Kurti
Kurta is an upper garment worn by both men and women, originating from the Indian subcontinent. Traditionally, it referred to a garment worn by men, while a kurta worn by females is called a kurti.
Key Takeaways
- Kurtas are worn by both men and women, while kurtis are only worn by women.
- Traditionally, kurtas referred to an upper garment worn by men, and kurtis referred to jackets, blouses, and waistcoats worn by women.
- Kurtas fall somewhere below the knee, while kurtis are tighter and shorter than kurtas.
What is a Kurta?
A kurta is a traditionally male upper garment, similar to a tunic, but now worn by both genders. Men usually wear straight cut, loose shirts that fall close to the knees, and women also wear this style. Kurtas are traditionally worn with pajamas, shalwars, churidars, or dhotis, but are now also worn with jeans. They can be worn both as casual everyday wear and as formal wear. Kurtas usually don’t have collars, although some modern kurtas use mandarin collars (stand up collars) and often have an opening in the front, buttoned at the top. Kurtas can be made from materials such as silk and cotton and come in various styles, including printed, embroidered, plain, embellished, long, and short.
What is a Kurti?
Traditionally, the term kurti referred to jackets, blouses, and waistcoats. However, in modern usage, a short kurta worn by women is called a kurti. Kurtis are also more fine-fitting than kurtas and are a very versatile piece of clothing that can be worn for any season or occasion. They are preferred by many women because of their flexibility and comfort. Kurtis are traditionally worn with a churidar or salwar, but they are also worn with jeans or leggings.
What is the difference between Kurta and Kurti?
Wearer:
- Kurtas are worn by both men and women.
- Kurtis are only worn by women.
Traditional Meaning:
- Kurtas traditionally referred to an upper garment worn by men.
- Kurtis traditionally referred to jackets, blouses, and waistcoats worn by women.
Length:
- Kurtas fall somewhere below the knee.
- Kurtis are tighter and shorter than kurtas.
In the contemporary fashion world, the difference between kurta and kurti seems to be blurred as most shops and online shopping websites sell both under the same name.
