As a chiefly rural and nomadic population, the Pashtun dress of Afghanistan and Pakistan is typically made from light linens, and are loose fitting for ease of movement. The Pashtun dress includes shalwar kameez, which is differently made for males and females. Males usually wear kufi, Kandahari cap, turban or pakul as traditional headgear. Leaders sometimes wear a karakul hat, like President Hamid Karzai and former monarchs of Afghanistan. Many non-Pashtuns in Afghanistan, India, Pakistan, Persia and surrounding neighbors have also adopted the dress because of comfort or other reasons.

Women typically wear solid-coloured trousers, a long qemis shirt with a belt and a cotton hijab. Often they will wear an encompassing burqa over this outfit.

More elaborate and fancier dresses are detailed with gold threading, gold beads, and come in many different colors on silk fabrics. These dresses are usually worn to special occasions and weddings.