Fabric Guide
Know your fabric. Wear it with intention.
Every Soonyachi piece begins with fabric. The right fabric makes a saree drape like water, a kurti breathe in the Mumbai heat, and an indo-western silhouette hold its shape through an evening of celebrations. This guide helps you understand what you’re wearing — and how to care for it.
All measurements below are in inches. If you fall between two sizes, we recommend sizing up — ethnic garments are easier to take in than let out.
At a Glance
| Fabric | Feel | Best For | Season | Care |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pure Silk | Smooth, lustrous | Weddings, formal | Winter / All | Dry clean |
| Georgette | Soft, fluid, matte | Party, semi-formal | All seasons | Hand wash / dry clean |
| Chiffon | Sheer, floaty | Evening, dupattas | Summer / parties | Hand wash gently |
| Cotton | Breathable, casual | Daily, casual festive | Summer / Spring | Machine wash cold |
| Chanderi | Semi-sheer, shimmer | Daytime events, puja | Summer / festive | Gentle hand wash |
| Crepe | Textured, structured | Anarkalis, suits | All seasons | Hand wash cold |
| Banarasi Silk | Heavy, zari-woven | Weddings, heirloom | Winter | Dry clean only |
| Linen | Textured, airy | Casual, summer kurtis | Summer | Hand wash / machine cold |
| Organza | Crisp, sheer | Modern fusion, borders | Festive | Dry clean |
| Velvet | Rich, heavy | Winter weddings | Winter | Dry clean only |
Fabric Profiles
Pure Silk
The most prized textile in Indian fashion. Silk has a natural fluid drape, a warm glow (not a metallic shine), and holds embroidery and zari work beautifully. Banarasi silk from Varanasi and Kanjivaram silk from Tamil Nadu are among the most treasured heirloom sarees in any Indian wardrobe.
- Feel: Smooth, cool against skin, naturally lustrous
- Best for: Wedding sarees, formal kurtis, occasion blouses
- Care: Dry clean recommended. Store wrapped in muslin cloth, never in plastic. Keep away from direct sunlight to preserve sheen.
Tip: To test real silk, burn a tiny thread — genuine silk smells like burning hair and leaves a crushable ash.
Georgette
One of the most versatile fabrics in Indian ethnic wear — lightweight, matte-finish, with a subtle crepe texture. Georgette drapes elegantly, moves beautifully, and is forgiving on the body. It’s a favourite for party sarees, anarkali suits, and sharara sets.
- Feel: Soft, slightly textured, fluid
- Best for: Party sarees, anarkalis, evening suits
- Care: Hand wash in cold water with mild detergent, or dry clean. Avoid high heat when ironing.
Chiffon
Lighter and more sheer than georgette, chiffon has a dreamy, floaty quality that makes sarees and dupattas look ethereal. It’s ideal for evening and summer occasions where you want movement and romance in the drape.
- Feel: Ultra-light, sheer, breezy
- Best for: Evening sarees, dupattas, summer occasion wear
- Care: Hand wash very gently in cold water. Do not wring. Lay flat or hang to dry. Iron on the lowest setting.
Cotton
The everyday fabric of Indian ethnic wear. Breathable, practical, and easy to maintain — cotton kurtis and sarees are the most comfortable choice for daily wear and casual festive occasions. Khadi, hand-spun and hand-woven cotton, carries additional cultural and artisanal significance.
- Feel: Natural, soft, breathable
- Best for: Daily wear kurtis, casual festivals, office wear
- Care: Machine wash in cold water. Avoid high heat when drying to prevent shrinkage. Pure cotton may shrink slightly after the first wash.
Tip: Size up if you’re between sizes in a 100% cotton piece.
Chanderi
A lightweight woven fabric from Chanderi, Madhya Pradesh, combining silk with cotton or viscose. It has a semi-sheer quality with a subtle shimmer and crisp-yet-graceful drape. Often features delicate gold motifs woven into the fabric.
- Feel: Elegant, slightly stiff, luminous
- Best for: Daytime events, formal puja, understated festive sarees and kurtis
- Care: Gentle hand wash or dry clean. Do not soak.
Crepe
A structured, matte-finish fabric with a subtle textured surface. Crepe holds its shape well while still draping smoothly, making it ideal for defined silhouettes like anarkalis and formal kurta sets.
- Feel: Slightly textured, structured, sophisticated
- Best for: Formal anarkalis, straight-cut suits, structured kurtis
- Care: Hand wash cold or gentle machine wash. Low heat iron.
Banarasi Silk
Woven in Varanasi with real gold or silver zari, Banarasi sarees are the most traditional and prized wedding sarees in North India. The intricate weave patterns — floral, paisley, Mughal motifs — are created on the loom itself, not printed or embroidered.
- Feel: Heavy, structured, richly textured with metallic zari
- Best for: Weddings, religious ceremonies, heirloom gifts
- Care: Dry clean only. Store folded with muslin cloth between folds. Never use plastic covers.
Linen
Known for its excellent breathability and natural texture, linen is a summer favourite for kurtis and casual sarees. It has an earthy, textured look that adds understated elegance to everyday wear.
- Feel: Textured, airy, slightly stiff but softens with wear
- Best for: Summer kurtis, casual sarees, daytime events
- Care: Hand wash or machine wash in cold water. Linen wrinkles easily — iron while slightly damp for best results.
Organza
A crisp, sheer fabric with structure — organza creates volume without weight. It’s commonly used for saree borders, layered lehenga skirts, and modern fusion silhouettes. Organza sarees have a contemporary, editorial look.
- Feel: Crisp, lightweight, structured
- Best for: Modern fusion outfits, border detailing, festive sarees
- Care: Dry clean recommended. Handle with care — organza snags easily.
Velvet
A rich, heavy fabric with a distinctly opulent surface texture. Velvet exudes royalty and is the go-to choice for winter wedding wear, festive blouses, and statement indo-western pieces.
- Feel: Plush, warm, deeply textured
- Best for: Winter weddings, reception wear, festive blouses
- Care: Dry clean only. Never iron velvet directly — use a steam iron held above the fabric. Store hanging to avoid crushing the pile.
Storing Your Soonyachi Pieces
The way you store your ethnic wear is as important as how you care for it. Here are the rules that apply to all fabrics:
- Store sarees and heavy garments in breathable cotton or muslin bags — never in plastic, which traps moisture and can damage fabric and zari.
- For silk sarees, wrap in muslin cloth before folding to prevent zari oxidation.
- Avoid prolonged exposure to direct sunlight — it fades colour and weakens fibres over time.
- Refold stored sarees and garments every 3–6 months along different fold lines to prevent permanent creasing.
- Keep silks, Banarasi, and velvet pieces away from cedar and naphthalene balls directly; place them in a separate cloth pouch nearby instead.
Fabric by Season
Summer (March – June)
Cotton, linen, mulmul, chiffon, chanderi. Lightweight and breathable. Choose lighter colours to reflect heat.
Monsoon (July – September)
Georgette, crepe, synthetic blends. These dry faster and resist the damp humidity of Mumbai’s monsoons. Avoid trailing fabric and heavy silk during heavy rain.
Winter & Festive (October – February)
Silk, Banarasi, velvet, brocade, organza. The season for your most luxurious pieces — heavy fabrics come alive in cooler temperatures and festive lighting.
Questions about fabric care or the right choice for an occasion? Reach us at [WhatsApp/email] — we’re happy to guide you.
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