Imagine you compliment someone’s sharara, and they tell you it’s a gharara. That would be extremely embarrassing, at least for some women. Not knowing the difference between gharara and sharara, a simple thing, may reduce your Aura to -99999, and that’s not what you want when you are at a luxurious party with your significant other.
To ensure such a thing never happens to you, you must educate yourself about the differences between the two. A gharara is tight until the knee and wide thereafter. On the other hand, a sharara is wide and loose from the waist down to the hem. If you want to learn more about the differences between gharara and sharara, read this blog until the end.
Key Differences Between Gharara and Sharara
As mentioned above, learning about the key differences between gharara and sharara is essential to save yourself from embarrassment and buy the right thing for your next party. Here is the list of the key differences between the two:
Key Differences |
Gharara |
Sharara |
Stitching |
Has a joint at the knee |
No seam at the knee |
Fit & Shape |
Tight from the waist to the knee |
Loose and wide from the waist |
Look |
More structured, with a defined flare |
Flows like a skirt or wide palazzos |
Embroidery |
Heavy work near the knee joint |
Evenly spread embroidery |
Origin |
Originates from Lucknow (Mughal Culture) |
Popular in Hyderabad and other southern regions |
Styling |
Usually paired with a short kurti |
Worn with both short and long kurtis |

At first glance, you may struggle to differentiate between a designer sharara and a gharara. However, after a close look, you can point out several differences.
Common Misconceptions About Gharara and Sharara
Now that you know about the key differences between a sharara and gharara set, let’s learn about the common misconceptions people have about these two and debunk all of them. Here is all you need to know about common misconceptions about gharara and sharara:
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They are the same thing.
No, they are not. They may look similar, but the cut, stitching, and style are different.
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Both are just types of lehengas.
Nope. Gharara and sharara are loose and flared pants, while lehengas are skirts.
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You can use the names interchangeably.
Not really. People often mix them up, but fashion designers treat them as separate outfits.
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You can’t tell the difference when worn.
You can easily tell the difference even when worn by looking at the knees of the dress.
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Gharara sets are outdated.
Ghararas are making a strong comeback in bridal and festive wear, especially in North India.
Pro Tips: Have a question about sharara or gharara? Don’t keep it in your mind. Ask a fashion designer.
On the Final Note
Some people think ghararas and shararas are the same. But the reality is that they are different in many ways, including styling, looks, embroidery, and stitching. Some key differences between the two are mentioned above. Also, we’ve debunked the common misconceptions about ghararas and shararas in this blog. If you need more information on shararas or ghararas or are looking for traditional wear for women, visit Safaa, an online store for designer Indian ethnic wear.