Pheran or phiran is the traditional outfit for both males and females in the Kashmir Valley. The traditional pheran extends to the feet, which was popular up to the late 19th century. A relatively recent version of the pheran extending to below the knees is used nowadays. It consists of two gowns, one over the other. Typically, it is worn over a pooch having the same dimensions as the pheran but made of cotton or a lighter material. It provides double layered insulation due to air acting as an insulating material. The additional advantage being it saves the pheran from burning due to Kangri, an earthenware pot covered by wickerwork filled with simmering charcoal. Kangri use has substantially declined over the years due to the fire hazards associated with it and also a unique cancer of the skin "Kangri Cancer" ascribed to burns over abdominal wall and thighs which come in close contact with Kangri. The traditional pheran does not have side slits and is made out of wool to keep warm. In summer a cotton version is used for a few months. Intricate embroideries or flower styles are a popular function of a Kashmiri ladies' pheran. The embroideries or flower styles are made of thin metal threads and this kind of embroidery is known as 'Tille' in Kashmiri language. There is no consensus as to the origin of the word 'pheran'. However, it seems that the word may have been derived from the Persian word 'perahan' which means a shirt. Persian culture has had a strong influence in Kashmir. One thing is agreed upon by all historians that Pheran has been our outfit at least since the 15th century. There are many myths around the origin of Kashmiri pheran. While some believe it was Mughal emperor Akbar who introduced the long garment in the Kashmir Valley, others believe it came from the Persian travellers who invented the garment to protect themselves from the freezing cold of Kashmir during winters.