Formal dresses in India and Pakistan are typically characterized by their elegant and traditional designs.

In India, formal attire for women typically includes a lehenga choli. Lehenga choli, on the other hand, is a three-piece ensemble consisting of a skirt, blouse, and dupatta. Lehenga comes in a variety of fabrics, such as silk, chiffon and Jamawar, and are mostly hand embroidered with dabka, sequins, beads and diamantes work.

For men, traditional formal attire in India includes a kurta pajama or a sherwani. A kurta pajama is a long, loose tunic worn with fitted pajama pants, while a sherwani is a long coat-like garment worn over a kurta and pajama. Both are often made of silk or brocade and may be embellished with embroidery or beadwork.

In Pakistan, formal attire for women typically includes a shalwar kameez, Anarkali and A-line suits. The tunic, known as the kameez, is often made of silk, cotton or chiffon and may be embellished with thread embroidery or hand work. The pants, known as the shalwar, are typically made of cotton, georgette or silk and are worn with a dupatta.

For men, traditional formal attire in Pakistan includes a shalwar kameez, similar to that worn by women, or a kurta and pajama. The kurta is a long, loose tunic worn with fitted pajama pants. Both the kurta and pajama may be made of silk or cotton and may be embroidered or adorned with other embellishments.

In both India and Pakistan, formal dresses are often worn on special occasions such as weddings, religious festivals, and other formal events. The choice of dress will depend on the occasion and individual preferences, but traditional attire is always considered as a formal dress.
However, as the fashion and trend in these countries are changing, there is a shift in preference of people towards fusion wear, Indo-western wear and other contemporary styles. Many designers are now experimenting with traditional fabrics and designs to create modern, stylish formal attire.

In conclusion, formal dresses in India and Pakistan are characterized by their elegant and traditional designs, which include lehenga, kurta pajamas, sherwanis, shalwar kameez. They are often worn on special occasions and are typically made of luxurious fabrics and adorned with intricate embroidery or beadwork. As the fashion and trend in these countries is changing, there is a shift in preference of people towards fusion wear, Indo-western wear and other contemporary styles.