After my last post about the "too formal" kurta myth, I got some interesting comments. A few of you agreed (thank you!), but several people said something like "I'd wear kurtas more casually, but I can never find the right length."
And you know what? You're absolutely right. This is a real problem that nobody talks about.
I spent last weekend at three different stores with my friend who was trying to find a kurta for an upcoming function. The experience was... enlightening. And by enlightening, I mean frustrating.

The Current Length Situation is Wild

Here's what we discovered: most stores seem to think all men are the exact same height and want the exact same kurta length. Spoiler alert - they don't.

Too short kurtas make you look like you're wearing a regular shirt that's trying too hard to be ethnic.

Too long kurtas make you look like you're drowning in fabric and can make even the most casual styling look overly traditional.

The "just right" length? Apparently that's a myth because we couldn't find it anywhere.

My friend is 5'8" with a regular build, and we genuinely struggled to find kurtas that hit at the right spot. Everything was either hitting at his upper thigh (too short) or going past his knees (too long for the casual look he wanted).

What Even is the "Right" Length?

Here's where it gets tricky - there isn't one universal right length. It depends on your height, your build, and honestly, what vibe you're going for.

For casual wear: You generally want the kurta to hit somewhere around mid-thigh. Long enough to look intentional, short enough to not overwhelm your proportions when you pair it with jeans or chinos.

For more traditional styling: You can go longer, but even then, it shouldn't be hitting below your knees unless you're specifically going for a very formal, traditional look.

For shorter guys: A slightly shorter kurta (upper to mid-thigh) can actually make you look taller by not cutting your silhouette in half.

For taller guys: You have more flexibility, but don't assume "longer is better" just because you can pull it off.

The Real Problem: Brands Don't Get It

Most brands seem to design kurtas with only one length in mind, then expect everyone to just deal with it. They'll offer multiple sizes for chest and shoulder fit, but length? That's apparently not important.

This is backwards. Getting the length right is crucial for how the entire outfit looks, but it's treated like an afterthought.

Some brands do offer "short," "regular," and "long" options, but even those categories are often poorly defined. "Short" for whom? "Long" compared to what?

What You Can Do About It

Get things tailored: I know, I know - it's an extra step and costs more money. But getting a kurta hemmed to the right length for your body makes such a huge difference. A ₹2000 kurta that fits properly will always look better than a ₹5000 kurta that's the wrong length.

Try before you buy: Don't assume a "medium" kurta will have the same length across different brands. Try it on, see how it hits on your body, and make decisions based on that.

Look for brands that offer length options: They exist, you just have to search a bit harder. Some brands are starting to recognize that one length doesn't fit all.

Consider the styling: If you find a kurta that's slightly longer than ideal but you love everything else about it, think about how you'll style it. Longer kurtas work better with more fitted bottoms, while shorter ones give you more flexibility.

My Friend's Solution (And Why It Worked)

After trying on about 15 kurtas, my friend finally found one that was close to the right length but still a bit long. Instead of settling or continuing the search, he decided to get it tailored.

The tailor shortened it by about 2 inches, and the difference was dramatic. Same kurta, same color, same fit through the body - but now it looked intentional instead of like he borrowed it from someone taller.

He wore it out the next week with dark jeans and white sneakers, and honestly? It looked great. Casual, comfortable, well-proportioned.

What Brands Need to Understand

If you're reading this and you work for a menswear brand - please, for the love of all things good, start offering length options. Or at least be more transparent about what your "regular" length actually measures.

Your customers shouldn't have to play guessing games about whether your kurta will fit their torso properly.

The Length Test You Should Try

Next time you're trying on a kurta, do this quick check:

Stand normally and look in the mirror. The kurta should end somewhere that feels balanced with your proportions. If it's hitting at an awkward spot (like right at your knee), it's probably not the right length for casual wear.

Try sitting down while wearing it. Does it bunch up weirdly? Pull in strange places? A good length should work whether you're standing or sitting.

Think about what you'll wear it with. If you want to pair it with jeans, a shorter length usually works better. If you're planning to wear it with traditional bottoms, you have more flexibility.

This turned into a longer rant than I planned, but this stuff matters! Getting the fit right - including length - is what makes the difference between looking put-together and looking like you're wearing someone else's clothes.

Next week, I want to talk about colors. Specifically, why so many guys default to white and blue when there are so many other options that would look amazing.

Have you struggled with kurta length? Let me know in the comments - I'm curious if this is a universal problem or if we just had bad luck shopping.

Vanshika
Still thinking about proportions