Noor-e-Banaras Brocade Weaving Lichi Silk Purple Suit (T+B+D)

Will the purple bleed in the wash?

Dry cleaning is preferred and is the safest route for a deep purple. If you hand-wash, wash it separately in a mild detergent, don't soak it, rinse quickly and dry it in the shade, away from other clothes.

What are the coloured flowers on the border?

A wide gold border runs through the set, woven with a flowering vine in magenta, orange and green. It's the most colourful part of the set; everywhere else, small gold diamond butis sit on the deep purple base.

How is brocade different from embroidery?

Embroidery is stitched onto finished fabric with a needle. Brocade is woven into the cloth itself, using extra threads that form the pattern as the fabric is made. So the design on the Noor-e-Banaras suit is part of the fabric, with a slightly raised feel, rather than sitting on top of it.

How much fabric is in each piece?

Top: 2.5 to 3.0 metres. Bottom: 2.4 to 2.5 metres. Dupatta: 2.4 to 2.5 metres. The three pieces together weigh about 500 gm. Share these numbers with your tailor when you discuss the design, so the cut you choose fits the fabric you have.

Any tips I should pass on to my tailor?

Three things help with brocade. Overlock or bind the seams, because woven patterns can fray once cut. Plan the layout so motifs sit centred on the front and upright on the sleeves. And keep the design simple, with few darts and seams, so the woven pattern isn't broken up.

Can I wear the dupatta with other outfits?

Yes. At 2.4 to 2.5 metres with woven brocade, it's a full-length dupatta that can lift a plain kurta or a simple solid suit. Pair it with a neutral or a complementary shade so the brocade stays the focus, and you have a second outfit from the same set.