Kurta are worn both as casual everyday wear and as formal dress.
Imported straight cut kurta were fashionable in the United States in the 1960s and 1970s, as an element of hippie fashion, fell from favor briefly, and are now again fashionable. south Asian women may also wear this Western adaptation of South Asian fashion.
Some styles, button or are tied at the shoulder seam and have plackets rather than slits. The opening may be centered on the chest, or positioned off center.
Traditional forms of kurta do not have collar. Modern variants may feature stand-up collars of the type known to tailors and seamstresses as "mandarin" collars. These are the same sort of collars seen on achkans sherwanis and nehru jackets
A kalidar kurta is similar to a frock and has many panels. The kalidar kurta is made up of several geometrical pieces. It has two rectangular central panels in the back and the front. The kurta is worn by men and women.