Groom’s Sherwani Guide Pakistan 2025: What Men Actually Wear to Pakistani Weddings
The bride gets the Instagram reel, the photographers, and the seven-person styling team. The groom, meanwhile, is largely left to figure it out himself — usually a panicked trip to a tailor three weeks before the barat, a vague request for “something traditional but not too heavy,” and a prayer that it photographs well next to a meticulously embroidered ivory lehenga.
This guide is for Pakistani grooms (and the family members shopping on their behalf) who want to understand what men actually wear at Pakistani weddings in 2025 — function by function, designer by designer, with real price guidance and zero vague advice.
What Is a Sherwani, Really?
A sherwani is a long formal coat — knee-length to below-the-knee — worn over a kameez, with either churidar (fitted tapered trousers) or shalwar. It has Persian and Mughal origins and has been the default South Asian groom’s garment for generations. The sherwani is structured, often with a Nehru-style collar, and in bridal contexts is almost always embroidered — zardozi, resham, stone work, or a combination.
But here is what many grooms (and their families) don’t fully appreciate: the sherwani is not the only option anymore. The modern Pakistani wedding has seen a significant shift in groom’s fashion, with bandhgala suits, structured waistcoats, and even tailored Western suits appearing at nikkah ceremonies and valimas. The sherwani is still the king of the barat — but it no longer reigns over every function.
What Does the Modern Pakistani Groom Actually Wear in 2025?
Pakistani groom fashion in 2025 sits across a spectrum:
Traditional: Heavy sherwani with churidar, embroidered kulla or turra, mojri (khussa shoes), full ceremonial look
Contemporary traditional: Lighter sherwani in a modern cut, paired with slim churidar, minimal embellishment — the “clean sherwani” aesthetic
Bandhgala / Indo-Western: A structured high-collar formal jacket (bandhgala or Nehru jacket) over kurta and trousers — popular for nikkah and valima
Western formal: A tailored suit — usually grey, charcoal, or navy — paired with a pocket square in the bride’s accent colour. Most appropriate for valima or a Western-style nikkah setting
Which approach is right depends entirely on the function, the family’s cultural leanings, and — perhaps most practically — how much the groom is expected to stand out versus complement the bride.
Function-by-Function Groom Outfit Guide
Mehndi: The Casual Function
The mehndi is the most relaxed of the main shaadi functions, and the groom’s outfit reflects that. A sherwani at the mehndi is almost always too formal — and in recent years, grooms have leaned into colour and personality at mehndi in a way that heavier ceremonial wear doesn’t allow.
What to wear:
- Kurta-shalwar or kurta-pajama: The standard and most appropriate choice. Go for a well-embroidered or block-printed kurta rather than a plain one — it’s still a formal occasion.
- Colour: Mehndi fashion for grooms has moved toward matching or complementing the mehndi theme colour — if the bride is in mustard yellow, the groom might wear olive, burnt orange, or a coordinated pastel. Bright, festive colours are welcome.
- Fabric: Cotton-silk, lawn blends, or linen work well for mehndi. Light embroidery or block print is appropriate.
- Shoes: White khussa, loafers, or simple sandals. No heavy formals needed.
Avoid: A full sherwani. It looks mismatched against the mehndi’s typically relaxed outdoor or garden setting, and you’ll be uncomfortable dancing in it.
Nikkah: The Sacred Ceremony
The nikkah is the religious contract — the formal Islamic marriage ceremony. Its dress code sits between mehndi informality and barat grandeur. Most grooms treat the nikkah as a “semi-formal” event, particularly if the barat follows shortly after.
What to wear:
- Sherwani (lighter version): A clean, understated sherwani works well — especially one in cream, ivory, or white for the traditional look.
- Bandhgala suit: Increasingly popular for nikkah, particularly for grooms who prefer a more structured, contemporary aesthetic. A beige or cream bandhgala over a light kurta reads as formal without the full ceremonial weight of a barat sherwani.
- Classic shalwar kameez with waistcoat: For a religiously traditional family, a well-tailored shalwar kameez in a formal fabric (silk, suiting material) with an embroidered waistcoat is perfectly appropriate.
- Colour: White, cream, ivory, light grey. The nikkah has a sense of purity and solemnity; jewel tones are usually saved for barat.
Shoes: Clean white or cream khussa, or formal leather shoes for the bandhgala look.
Barat: The Sherwani Moment
The barat is the main wedding event — the groom’s procession, the formal nikah ceremony if separate, the big reception dinner. This is the function the sherwani was built for. If a groom is going to wear a heavily embroidered, full ceremonial sherwani once in his life, it is at his barat.
What to wear:
- Embroidered sherwani: The standard and most expected choice. Ivory, cream, or gold are the classic barat colours — they photograph beautifully next to a bride in red, maroon, or jewel-toned bridal wear.
- Silhouette: The traditional silhouette (full-length coat, churidar, embroidered dupatta or stole) is still the most impactful. Modern cuts have slimmed the coat slightly and shortened the length to just above or at the knee.
- Embellishment: Gold zardozi and resham embroidery remain the standard for barat sherwanis. Stone work is popular for contemporary pieces. Some grooms are opting for tonal embroidery — ivory on ivory — for a more subtle modern look.
- Dupatta or stole: Not all grooms wear one, but a light silk or kham stole across one shoulder adds a ceremonial element, particularly for families with North Indian or Mughal-influenced customs.
- Kulla/turra: Traditional grooms’ headwear — a small embroidered cap (kulla) with an attached ornamental piece (turra). Not universally worn; depends on family and regional tradition. Sehra (the flower or bead curtain worn over the face) is a Punjab tradition and still common at barats.
Colour trends for barat 2025: Ivory and gold remain the safest and most photographed option. Charcoal grey sherwanis have become a strong contemporary alternative — especially for grooms who want to distinguish themselves from the heavily traditional look. Pale champagne and cream with contrasting gold embroidery is having a significant moment.
Valima: Lighter, but Still Formal
The valima is the reception hosted by the groom’s family, typically the day after the barat. The bride is now a guest in her new family’s celebration. The groom usually dresses one notch below barat formality — and brides are typically styled in lighter, more comfortable formal wear.
What to wear:
- Lighter sherwani: If you wore a heavy embroidered sherwani for barat, a cleaner, less embellished piece for valima works well.
- Bandhgala suit: The ideal valima option for the modern Pakistani groom. A charcoal, beige, or deep olive bandhgala over a crisp kurta reads as sophisticated without being as heavy as full bridal sherwani.
- Tailored suit: Some younger, urban grooms opt for a Western tailored suit for valima. A well-cut navy or charcoal suit with a pocket square that matches the bride’s dupatta colour is increasingly acceptable.
- Colour: Go darker for valima if barat was ivory — charcoal, deep navy, forest green for a bandhgala. Or stay in the ivory/cream family if you prefer visual consistency across the events.
Top Pakistani Designers for Grooms: 2025 Guide
HSY (Hassan Shehreyar Yasin) Menswear
Pakistan’s most recognisable couture house offers a full menswear line alongside its bridal collections. HSY sherwanis are known for refined embroidery, premium fabrics, and a silhouette that photographs exceptionally well. Expect to pay PKR 150,000–350,000+ for a barat sherwani. HSY also works well for bandhgala and formal suit options. Flagship in Lahore.
Amir Adnan
The gold standard of Pakistani menswear — arguably the most respected dedicated menswear designer in Pakistan. Amir Adnan’s sherwanis are known for their tailoring precision and fabric quality. Price range: PKR 80,000–200,000 for bridal-grade sherwanis. Flagship in Karachi, with presence in Lahore.
Munib Nawaz
Munib Nawaz occupies the contemporary-traditional space — clean cuts, restrained embellishment, strong fabric choices. His work is particularly popular with grooms who want to look “sharp” rather than “ceremonial.” PKR 60,000–150,000 range. Based in Lahore.
Ismail Farid
One of the most established menswear tailors in Pakistan, particularly for sherwanis and formal suiting. Ismail Farid’s work is more traditional in aesthetic but impeccably crafted. PKR 50,000–120,000 range. Strong presence in Karachi.
Master Tailors (Bespoke)
Many Pakistani grooms — particularly those from established families — go the bespoke tailor route. A skilled tailor in Lahore or Karachi can produce a sherwani of excellent quality for PKR 30,000–70,000 in material and labour costs, with the client supplying their own fabric choice. This route gives full control over cut, colour, and embellishment.
Groom’s Accessories: The Details That Matter
Khussa (Mojri)
The traditional flat-soled embroidered shoe is still the most popular footwear for sherwani looks. Choose ivory or gold-tone embroidery for barat, and a simpler style for mehndi. Custom khussa from Old Anarkali (Lahore) or Zainab Market (Karachi) can be made to match your sherwani within a few days.
Kulla and Turra
A kulla is the small embroidered cap traditionally worn by grooms at barat. A turra is the decorative ornament attached to or placed beside the kulla. These accessories are deeply traditional and remain popular in Punjab in particular. Not obligatory, but they add an unmistakably ceremonial quality to the barat look.
Sehra
The sehra is a curtain of flowers, beads, or metallic decorations that hangs over the groom’s face from the kulla. It’s a Punjab bridal tradition with Mughal origins. Many grooms have it for entry and remove it shortly after — it makes for memorable photography but is impractical to wear all evening.
Wristwatch
For contemporary-traditional looks, a dress watch (leather strap, clean face) adds a modern note without disrupting the traditional silhouette. Avoid sports watches and smartwatches at barat level.
For Diaspora Grooms: Practical Notes
Most Pakistani-origin grooms flying back from the UK, USA, Canada, or Australia for their shaadi handle the sherwani question in one of two ways:
Option 1 — Buy in Pakistan: By far the most common and most practical. Fly in, visit the designer or tailor, get fitted, collect the piece. Much wider selection, authentic designer options, and significantly lower cost than anything imported or available abroad.
Option 2 — Have it made locally abroad: Some grooms visit South Asian tailors in their home city (Birmingham, Houston, Toronto) and have a sherwani custom-made. Quality varies enormously. It is generally harder to match the fabric and embroidery quality of Pakistani-made pieces outside Pakistan.
Option 3 — Rent: While One Time Bridals specialises in the bride’s side (and has the strongest inventory for bridal and formal women’s wear), groom rental options are available on request. WhatsApp the team to discuss what’s available for your dates.
The honest advice for diaspora grooms: book the sherwani early in your Pakistan trip, not last-minute. Designer pieces may need 2–3 weeks for alteration, and bespoke tailors fill up fast during wedding season. Plan your sherwani appointment within the first 48 hours of arriving.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Pakistani grooms have to wear a sherwani?
Not at every function. The sherwani is most expected at the barat. Mehndi and nikkah allow for more relaxed kurta looks, and valima has room for bandhgala suits or even Western formals. The sherwani at barat is a tradition worth keeping — it photographs beautifully and carries genuine cultural significance.
What colour should a Pakistani groom wear for barat?
Ivory, cream, or off-white with gold embroidery remains the classic choice. Charcoal grey sherwanis are a popular contemporary alternative. Avoid white (too plain for embroidery to show) and avoid heavily matching the bride (a coordination conversation worth having in advance).
How much does a Pakistani groom’s sherwani cost?
Bespoke tailored: PKR 30,000–70,000. Mid-range designers (Munib Nawaz, Ismail Farid): PKR 60,000–150,000. Top designers (HSY, Amir Adnan): PKR 150,000–350,000+.
Can I rent a sherwani in Pakistan?
Sherwani rental does exist in Pakistan, primarily through specialised menswear rental shops in Lahore and Karachi. One Time Bridals primarily handles bridal (women’s) wear but can advise on groom options via WhatsApp.
What do Pakistani groom’s guests (brothers, groomsmen) typically wear?
Brothers and male relatives typically coordinate loosely with the groom — if he’s in ivory, they might wear beige or gold kurta-shalwar. There is no strict “groomsmen uniform” tradition in Pakistani weddings; coordination is approximate rather than matched.
What’s the turra, and do I need one?
The turra is a decorative accessory worn with the kulla (groom’s cap) at barat. It’s traditional and particularly common in Punjab. It’s optional — many contemporary grooms skip it — but it makes for striking ceremonial photography.
I’m flying in from the UK/USA — can I sort my sherwani when I arrive?
Yes, but arrive with time. If you want a designer piece, book an appointment before you land or in your first 24–48 hours. If you’re going bespoke tailor, allow at least 2 weeks for the piece to be made and fitted. Don’t leave it to 3 days before your barat.
Final Thoughts
The groom’s outfit matters more than the “bride gets all the attention” narrative suggests. It will be in every photo, every reel, every professional portrait from the day. A well-chosen sherwani — properly fitted, appropriate to the function, and reflective of the groom’s own taste — elevates the entire aesthetic of the wedding photography.
The formula is straightforward: kurta for mehndi, something elegant for nikkah, your best sherwani for barat, something lighter for valima. Sort it early in your Pakistan trip, work with a designer or skilled tailor, and don’t underestimate how much the details (khussa, kulla, watch) complete the look.
And for the bride’s side? That’s a different set of considerations entirely.
Planning your complete wedding look?
WhatsApp our team for bridal and formal dress guidance: +92 321 785 3131
Browse the full rental and pre-loved collection: onetimebridals.shop