Know what you wear
What each fabric feels like, how to look after it, and what to wear it with.
Modal silk
Soft, fluid and light, with a drape that follows the body. It holds hand-dyed patterns such as shibori beautifully.
- Feels like
- Silky smooth, cool to the touch
- Best for
- Dresses, co-ord sets, warm evenings
- Care
- Gentle hand wash, dry in shade, steam to refresh [confirm]
- Pairs with
- Kantha jackets, flat juttis, oxidised silver
Cotton & linen
Breathable and forgiving, with a gentle texture that softens with every wash. The backbone of everyday dressing.
- Feels like
- Dry, airy, slightly textured
- Best for
- Everyday kurtas, shirts, long days
- Care
- Wash cold and separately the first time; colours may bleed [confirm]
- Pairs with
- Kolhapuris, light dupattas, a single cuff
Kantha
A running-stitch tradition from Bengal, where layers of cotton are stitched together by hand into soft, quilted, patchwork cloth.
- Feels like
- Soft, layered, lightly rippled by the stitch
- Best for
- Jackets and layering through winter
- Care
- Gentle wash, do not wring, dry in shade [confirm]
- Pairs with
- Plain kurta sets, slip dresses, straight trousers
Ajrakh
A resist block-print tradition from Kutch and Sindh, known for deep indigo and madder-red geometry built up over many stages of printing and dyeing.
- Feels like
- Depends on the base: cotton, modal silk or velvet
- Best for
- Festive kurta sets, evenings
- Care
- Wash separately in cold water; early washes may release dye [confirm]
- Pairs with
- Gold jhumkas, juttis, a plain potli
Gamcha
A handwoven checked cotton from eastern India, traditionally used as a towel and shawl, now turned into relaxed everyday clothing.
- Feels like
- Light, absorbent, a little crisp at first
- Best for
- Summer kurta sets, travel
- Care
- Cold wash, separately at first, dry in shade [confirm]
- Pairs with
- White trousers, flat sandals, silver
Tencel denim
A smooth, wood-pulp-based fibre woven into a denim look. It has the style of denim without the stiffness or weight.
- Feels like
- Smooth, drapey, light for a denim
- Best for
- Wrap dresses, co-ord sets, travel
- Care
- Machine wash cold on a gentle cycle [confirm]
- Pairs with
- White sneakers, tan belts, a gamcha jacket