The dupatta is quite ornate. How do I balance it?
Let the dupatta lead. The kurta piece has only small gold dot butis on a pale mint-green base, so it stays quiet while the wide cream-gold dupatta border with peacock and flower motifs carries the look. Draped open, it is dressy enough for a festive gathering or an evening dinner.
Is the kurta fabric patterned all over?
Lightly. The kurta piece has small gold dot butis across a pale mint-green base, so it reads quiet and neat on its own. Most of the drama sits on the dupatta, with its wide cream-gold border, temple-edge peaks and peacock and flower motifs, which keeps the kurta easy to style.
Why does the fabric shine the way it does?
Lichi silk has a naturally lustrous finish, and the brocade adds more sheen wherever the woven threads catch the light. The gold zari butis add small points of shine. That's what makes the fabric look rich without needing extra embellishment.
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.
Does brocade fray when it's cut?
It can. Brocade has extra threads woven in for the pattern, and cut edges loosen easily. Ask your tailor to overlock or tape the seams soon after cutting, leave a slightly wider seam allowance, and avoid unpicking seams again and again during fittings.
How should I store and iron it?
Store it folded in a muslin or cotton cloth, away from moisture and direct sunlight, and refold it now and then so creases don't set along the same lines. Iron on low heat with a pressing cloth on top. Keep perfume and deodorant away from the silk; spray them before you dress.