As a chiefly rural and nomadic population, the Pashtun dress of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Southern Afghanistan is typically made from light linens, and are loose fitting for ease of movement. This dress is assumed to have been first brought from Israel by the Jews who were exiled 2,000 years ago.

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.