Noor-e-Banaras Zari Brocade Pink Silk Suit (T+B+D)

Pink with zari sounds dressy. Where does it fit best?

It is made for dressy moments. The hot pink with woven gold zari and a very wide peacock and floral border shines at an evening dinner, and with gold jewellery it looks right for festive gatherings. For a lighter touch, keep the jewellery to pearls and drape the dupatta over one shoulder.

How do I keep the zari from dulling?

Zari dulls with moisture, perfume and rough handling. Dry cleaning is preferred. Store the set in a muslin cloth away from damp and sunlight, spray perfume before you dress rather than on the fabric, and iron on low heat with a cloth over the zari, never directly on it.

Can my tailor make an anarkali from it?

It depends on the flare and your size. With 3.0 to 3.1 metres of top fabric, a gently flared or A-line kurta is usually comfortable, while a full-circle anarkali often needs more. Brocade also has a direction, so ask your tailor to plan the panels before cutting to keep the motifs upright.

Should I worry about minor irregularities?

No. Minor irregularities come with handcrafted products: a slight variation in the weave, or a thread that sits a little differently. They are part of the character of the piece. The shade on your screen may also differ slightly from the fabric in daylight, since displays vary.

Will a silk dupatta keep slipping off my shoulder?

Silk is smooth, so it can slide. Pin it at the shoulder from the inside with a small safety pin or a brooch, or fold it into pleats before pinning for more grip. At 2.4 to 2.5 metres it's long enough to go across both shoulders, which also helps it stay put.