Dark brown florals on light beige, framed by panelled geometric borders.

Why this piece

• A restrained, near-monochrome set, the quietest print in this range and the easiest to wear to work.


• Panelled borders in repeating diamonds, dashes and dots, each stamped from a separate carved block.


• Opaque katan silk that needs no lining, even in a pale beige.

The print

Small dark brown floral sprigs cover the ground in a tight repeat, with black accents deepening the darker passages. What sets the piece apart is the panelling: horizontal strips of repeating diamonds, dashes and dots that break the fabric into bands rather than letting one motif run unbroken.

Each of those bands is a separate block, aligned to the last by eye. Where a band steps a fraction out of true, that is the printer's hand and the clearest evidence the work is not machine made.

The fabric

Katan silk in a light beige with a soft lustre, opaque enough to be stitched without lining and light enough at 600 to 650 g for the three pieces that it is comfortable through a working day.

Styling

Neutral and minimal, this is the set for the office, for travel and for the days when you want silk without announcing it. Add a lining if you want a crisper, more formal kurta line. Oxidised silver or wood and brass jewellery suits the brown better than gold, and a plain brown or black stole extends it into cooler weather.

What you get

• 
  Top: 2.5 m, 44 to 45 inches wide


• 
  Bottom: 2.5 m, 44 to 45 inches wide


• 
  Dupatta: 2.5 m, 35 to 36 inches wide


• 
  Weight: 600 to 650 g for top, bottom and dupatta together


• 
  Lining: Not needed, the fabric is opaque; add one only to elevate the look


• 
  Stitching: Up to 4XL for straight kurta sets, length customisable


• 
  Care: Dry clean the first wash, then a gentle cold hand wash


• 
  Dispatch: Dispatched the next working day, even though every metre is printed by hand


• 
  Collection: Phuhaar
  

Small differences in the depth of each impression and in the alignment of the panels are the marks of hand block work, not of imperfection.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will the colours bleed when I wash it?

No. The fabric is colour-fast and does not bleed on the first wash, and it stays colour-fast after washing. Dry clean it the first time, then a gentle cold hand wash keeps it looking new.

How do I know this is genuinely hand block printed?

Look closely at the print. Hand-carved wooden blocks are stamped one impression at a time, so the motifs sit fractionally out of register in places and the colour density varies from block to block. Screen and machine printing produce perfectly identical repeats; this suit does not, because it is printed by hand in Bhagalpur.

Does it need a lining or aster?

No, the fabric is opaque on its own and needs no lining. Some customers add one anyway to give the kurta more body and a more formal fall, but that is a styling choice, not a necessity.

What does this unstitched suit set include?

Three pieces: a 2.5 m top, a 2.5 m bottom and a 2.5 m dupatta. The top and bottom are 44 to 45 inches wide and the dupatta is 35 to 36 inches, so you have enough fabric to have the set stitched to your own fit rather than settling for a readymade size.

Is it heavy to wear?

No. All three pieces together weigh only 600 to 650 g, so the finished suit is light on the shoulders and drapes rather than stands away from the body, which is what makes it comfortable for a full office day.

What if the shade or the quality is not what I expected?

You can exchange it. Screens shift colour, so if the shade or the quality is not something you love when it arrives, write to us and we will exchange the set.