on November 02, 2026

How to Choose a Sherwani for the Baraat: Fabric, Fit and Embroidery

A baraat sherwani is chosen in three decisions, in this order: the fabric, the fit and then the embroidery. Choose the cloth for the season and the light of the venue, have the sherwani cut to your measurements so it sits cleanly from collar to knee, and let the embroidery follow the scale of the day rather than lead it. Ivory, off-white and gold remain the natural baraat colours, and raw silk and karandi jamawar the cloths most grooms start from. If you begin eight to twelve weeks before the first event, there is time to do all three properly.

Man in a white sherwani with gold embroidery standing in an elegant room with chandeliers and a couch.

Start with the fabric

The cloth decides how the sherwani catches light, how it moves when you sit on the stage, and how it feels after several hours in it. Most of the baraat pieces in our sherwani collection are made in one of a handful of cloths.

Raw silk. Raw silk has a natural texture and a soft sheen that reads well under both daylight and evening lighting. It holds hand embroidery cleanly, which is why so many baraat sherwanis are built on it. Our Ivory Raw Silk Sherwani with Hand Embroidered Motifs (PKR 189,900) is fully worked in dabka and threadwork; the Off-White Raw Silk Sherwani with Hand-Embroidered Neckline and Cuffs (PKR 153,900) keeps the work to the collar, buttons and cuffs.

Karandi jamawar. Karandi jamawar has a richer, more textured surface than raw silk, with a pattern woven into the cloth. Because the cloth already carries interest, the embroidery can be lighter. The Ivory Karandi Jamiawar Sherwani with Hand Embroidery (PKR 134,900) has delicate work at the collar and cuffs only, and suits a groom who prefers a quieter front.

Jacquard jamawar and woven cloths. A gold jacquard jamawar gives a ceremonial look before a single stitch of embroidery is added. Our Traditional Sherwani in Golden Jacquard Jamiawar (PKR 164,900) is an example. Pearl white woven fabric, as in the Pearl White Sherwani with Matte Gold Embroidery (PKR 149,900), sits between the two: a subtle texture with embroidery on the neckline and cuffs.

Textured weaves. For a groom who would rather have no embroidery at all, a textured slub weave lets the cloth do the work. The Sherwani in Oatmeal Textured Weave (PKR 109,900), made to order, has a concealed placket and a single carved button on the chest pocket as its only ornament.

Velvet is better kept for the valima or a winter evening event. Our Black Velvet Sherwani with Hand Embroidery is made with that in mind rather than for the baraat.

Choosing a colour for the baraat

Ivory, off-white, pearl white, beige and gold are the colours most grooms choose for the baraat, and the bulk of our baraat sherwanis sit in that range. The choice between them is mostly about your complexion and the bride's outfit. Ivory and off-white are softer against warm skin tones than bright white. Gold and beige sit well beside deep red and maroon bridal colours. If you know the bride's palette, bring a photograph or a swatch to the consultation; matching tone rather than matching colour is usually the better result.

Black and deeper colours, such as celestial blue, tend to work better for the valima or the mehndi, and you will find them alongside the baraat pieces in our ceremonial collection.

Get the fit right

A sherwani is a long, structured coat, so fit shows more than it does on a kurta. A few points to check, whether you are buying in a standard size or having one cut:

  • The collar. The band collar should close without pressing on the neck, and sit level all the way round.
  • The shoulders. The shoulder seam should end at the edge of your shoulder. Too wide and the sherwani looks borrowed; too narrow and the sleeves pull when you raise your arms.
  • The length. Most baraat sherwanis fall to around the knee. A shorter groom often looks better with a length just above the knee; a taller one can carry a little more.
  • The front. The buttons should close without the fabric pulling into creases between them, including when you sit down.
  • The sleeves. Sleeves should end at the wrist bone, so the cuff embroidery is seen and the sleeve does not bunch.

Each sherwani in our collection can be made to your measurements at Qasr-e-Mohtaram, our atelier in G-6/3, Islamabad. Having one cut to your measurements is the simplest way to get each of the points above right.

Choose embroidery to suit the day

Embroidery is the part most grooms think about first, and it is better decided last, once the cloth and colour are settled. There are three broad approaches.

Collar and cuffs only. The work sits at the neckline, buttons and cuffs, and the body of the sherwani is plain. It looks composed in photographs and suits a groom who prefers restraint, or a nikkah that runs into the baraat on the same day.

Allover handwork. Dabka, kora, sequins and threadwork are spread across the front and sleeves. Our Off-White Raw Silk Sherwani with Hand-Embroidery (PKR 169,900) is worked in kora and sequins throughout; the Embroidered Sherwani with Jafri Pattern in Gold (PKR 149,900) uses a multi-colour jafri pattern on gold raw silk. This is the more traditional baraat look.

Pattern in the cloth. A woven jamawar or jacquard carries the pattern itself, and the embroidery becomes an accent. The Traditional Sherwani in Beige & Gold Scalloped Embroidery (PKR 154,900) sits close to this, with scalloped gold work on a beige base.

A useful test is to stand at the distance a guest would be from the stage. If the embroidery reads clearly from there, it does not need to be heavier.

Plan the timing

For a made-to-measure baraat sherwani, start eight to twelve weeks before the first wedding event. That leaves room for choosing the cloth, the fittings and any changes to the embroidery without a rush in the final weeks. If you live abroad, the first consultation can be held on a video call.

The first consultation is complimentary. You can book an appointment at the atelier or by video, and bring photographs of the venue, the bride's outfit and anything you have saved for reference.

Frequently asked questions

What colour sherwani should a groom wear for the baraat?

Ivory, off-white, pearl white, beige and gold are the usual baraat colours. Choose the shade that suits your complexion and sits well beside the bride's outfit; tone matters more than an exact colour match.

Which fabric suits a baraat sherwani?

Raw silk and karandi jamawar are the most common choices. Raw silk has a soft sheen and carries heavy handwork well; karandi jamawar has a woven texture that needs less embroidery. A textured weave suits a groom who wants no embroidery at all.

How much does a baraat sherwani cost at Mohtaram?

Our baraat sherwanis currently range from PKR 109,900 for the Oatmeal Textured Weave to PKR 189,900 for the fully hand-embroidered Ivory Raw Silk. Each can be made to your measurements in Islamabad.

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