New Delhi — When someone walks into your favourite Lajpat Nagar café wearing a pheran with H&M sneakers and you’re still stuck with your boring puff jacket—you know Delhi has officially snatched another cultural gem and made it fashion. The Kashmiri pheran, once just a traditional cloak from the Valley, is now winter’s hottest (literally and stylistically) must-have in the capital.
From Srinagar Streets to Sarojini Stalls
This isn’t just about fashion week or designer capsules. Over the past few years, pherans have leaked out of Kashmir’s frosty climes and into the Delhi winter wardrobe. What used to be a rare sighting, mostly on Kashmiri students at JNU or DU, has suddenly become commonplace across the city—from Shahpur Jat boutiques to pop-ups in Bikaner House.
According to reports from The Patriot, the pheran’s popularity exploded post-2019, coinciding with more awareness about Kashmiri culture (thanks to social media and a growing number of homegrown Kashmiri creators on Instagram). Designers like Ridmat and Craftizen have made it more wearable for urban Delhi—offering belted versions, lighter cottons, and even pheran-inspired hoodies.
Major brands haven’t missed the memo either. At Dilli Haat, pherans now hold prime shelf space next to pashmina shawls and mojris. Instagram stores ship them in all sizes, styles, and price points—starting at ₹800 in Janpath’s underground market, going all the way up to ₹8,000 for a hand-embroidered woollen piece from a boutique in Safdarjung Development Area.
What’s In It for Us Dilliwale?
Honestly, a lot. Let’s talk utility—Delhi’s winters aren’t kind to us anymore. When the AQI drops below 300 and the temperature hits 4°C, we need a practical solution that doesn’t look like a camping tent. Enter: the pheran.
“Warm like a quilt and cool like a shawl,” as Raziya, a Kashmiri student at Hindu College puts it, “and no one roasts me for looking like I’m ready for a school picnic.” For office-goers in Noida and Cyber Hub, it adds a dash of style without sacrificing warmth—paired with jeggings and boots, it’s fully commute-friendly.
Bonus: It’s genderless. Unisex pherans are flying off shelves, especially among the 20-something crowd trying to stand out in their Tinder profile pics. And for the older crowd in GK-1 or Rajouri Garden, who are still recovering from bomber jackets and trench coats that never fit our layering needs—this is finally a desi solution that actually works.
Pheran Flashback: Not Just a Trend
The Kashmiri pheran is centuries old, historically used to withstand the freezing winter of the Valley. Traditionally, it’s worn over other clothes and paired with a ‘kangri’ (a small earthen pot of burning coal tucked under for warmth). Over time, it became deeply symbolic—not just culturally, but politically.
Back in the day, pherans were frowned upon by colonial powers who considered them “unhygienic,” and even today, there have been controversies—think airport friskings based on stereotyping. But despite that, the garment persisted, morphing styles along the way—from being floor-length with delicate sozni embroidery to shorter hoodie-esque avatars spotted today near Deer Park.
Delhi embracing it now is more than just fashion—it’s a sign of cultural acknowledgment, perhaps even soft reconciliation. When something once seen as “other” becomes a closet staple in South Extension or Meherchand Market—it says something about how far we’ve come, or at least how social media has flattened cultural hierarchies.
📍 Spot Check: Head to Bunkar Studio in Shahpur Jat for handwoven pherans. Janpath’s Tibetan Market has affordable, student-friendly options. For designer takes, check out Dastkar at Andheria Modh or pop-ups near Lodhi Colony’s artsy lanes. Nearest Metro stations: Green Park, INA, Patel Chowk.
The Final Word
The pheran isn’t just a trend—it’s a fashion rebellion wrapped in wool. This is Delhi doing what it does best: spotting something niche, remixing it, and wearing it loud. And if we can look good, stay warm, and support artisans up North, why not?
Just one request—don’t call it an “Indian poncho” on Instagram. Respect the culture, and you might just find your next winter staple.
Are you team pheran or sticking to the classic Zara trench this winter?
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