Katan Banarasi Silk Saree Lavender Handcrafted

What does the weave look like up close?

The body is scattered with tiny gold buti, small enough to read as a soft shimmer from a distance. Toward the hem, horizontal gold bands run across the fabric, and the pallu picks those bands up as stripes before ending in a fringe. The overall effect is light, with the zari doing the detailing rather than dense brocade.

How does the striped pallu sit when draped?

The gold stripes run across the pallu, so when you pleat it over the shoulder they stack into neat bands that catch the light as you move. Leave it open and long in the evening to show the fringe, or pin it in narrow pleats for office wear so it stays tidy.

Is there a blouse piece with it?

Yes, a blouse piece comes attached to the saree, and the total length of 6.3 to 6.4 metres includes it. Detach it and have it stitched to your measurements, with whatever neckline and sleeve length you prefer.

What blouse colour would suit it?

The purple-toned ground and gold bands give you two easy routes. A gold or antique gold blouse picks up the zari and looks festive, while a deeper purple keeps it tonal for the office. The pink accents in the weave also make a soft pink or magenta blouse a pretty contrast.

The saree is hand dyed. Do I need to be careful with it?

Yes. It is dry clean only, so never soak it or wash it at home. Keep it away from rain and perfume sprays, and store it separately from light-coloured fabrics. Small differences in tone between pieces are a natural part of hand dyeing.

How should I store it between wears?

Keep it in its own bag in a dry place. Change the folds every so often so the gold bands don't crease along the same line, and air it in non-humid weather. If it ever gets damp, dry it in shade rather than in direct sun.