Is a chapan (coat) formal attire, casual or something in-between?

Hamid Karzi seems to wear one at all times, in all places and for all occasions.

And some are plain-but-spiffy-looking while others are downright fancy.

Do the colors and/or patterns have any special significance, like Scottish plaids? Or are they purely ornamental?

What’s the Straight Dope on chapan?

I’m pretty sure you didn’t mean to put this in ATMB, so let’s give IMHO a shot at it.

Wow; no it was supposed to be in GQ. Sorry; not sure how that happened. IMHO will work fine, tho, prolly. Thanks, ecg.