The fabrics we carry
| Fabric | What it is | Wears best |
|---|---|---|
| Lawn | Fine, tightly woven cotton with a smooth finish | Daily wear through summer; breathes well in humidity |
| Slub | Cotton with a deliberately irregular thread, giving texture | Evening and formal pieces; holds a heavier embroidery |
| Chiffon | Sheer, light, with a slight grain | Dupattas — drapes without adding weight |
| Organza | Sheer but crisp, holds its shape | Dupattas where you want structure rather than drape |
| Chikankari | Hand-style white-on-colour embroidery | Daylight — the texture reads better than contrast work |
Washing
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Dry clean the first time
Rich dyes bleed on their first wash, and the first wash is the one that ruins a dupatta. This is the single most useful thing on this page.
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Afterwards, hand wash cold and separately
Cold water, mild detergent, no soaking beyond a few minutes. Wash darks alone for the first several washes.
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Never bleach
Not on prints, not on whites. It will strip the print border before it touches the stain.
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Dry in shade
Direct Dhaka sun will fade a printed lawn in a season. Turn the piece inside out and dry flat where you can.
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Iron on reverse, medium heat
Always on the reverse over embroidery, mirror work or foil print. A pressing cloth is worth the extra minute.
Embroidery and mirror work
Treat embroidered panels as the fragile part of the garment. Do not wring them, do not scrub at them, and store the piece folded with the work facing inward so nothing catches. If a thread pulls, cut it flush — never tug it through.
Storing between seasons
Clean before storing — invisible body oils oxidise into brown marks over a season in a Dhaka almirah. Fold with tissue between layers rather than hanging, which stretches a shoulder over time, and keep naphthalene away from direct contact with the cloth.