You may not know of these 6 Indian weaves, but they are a must for your closet

The festive season is upon us, which only means one thing—it’s time to ramp up our style. And instead of spending money on fast fashion micro trends and maximalist items you’ll only wear a few times, we, at Bazaar India, suggest opting for traditional and timeless Indian weaves instead.

We’ve taken inspiration from Bollywood stars stunning us in their regal Benarasi weaves and Kanjeevarams, and taken it up a notch with six lesser-known, and might we add beautiful weaves that should find a place in your closet. Side note: not only does this support Indian artisans, it also sets you apart from the crowd. From stunning festive nights to breezy day lunches, elevate your style with handwoven clothing.

Assam’s Eri Silk 

A gem from the northeast, the Eri Silk is a smooth fabric that combines the elegance of silk with the comfort and warmth of wool. This one, also known as “Ahimsa or peace silk”—as it does not kill the silkworm during processing—is a versatile and isothermic fabric, which gets softer with each wear, and is great to be worn year-round.

Kerala’s Kasavu Silk

With a royal history, Kerala’s traditional Kasavu Silk sari stands out for its elegance and minimalism. Embellished with warm golden borders, which wonderfully complement the plain white fabric, the Kasavu style presents a perfect piece for every occasion. 

Odisha’s Bomkai Weave

One of the oldest textiles of Odisha, the Bomkai weave is marked with intense, contrasting colours and intricate threadwork. Made with low count cotton yarn that is heavier than regular cotton, these saris are perfect for colder months. The photo you see above has beautiful and quirky flamingo embroidery, setting it apart from the usual pieces.

Maharashtra’s Himroo Weave

Originally called khubab (little dream), this style is known for its combination of silk and cotton, which makes for a lustrous and soft weave. Worn by the royals, it usually features intricate designs of birds, flowers, animals, fruit, and also geometrical shapes. The unique styles and comfort of the Himroo shawl make it a perfect contender for some of the best weaves to wear in the colder seasons.

Manipur’s Moirang Phee

Like most northeastern weaves, the Moirang Phee is marked with triangular motifs on the borders. Rooted in Manipur mythology, this pattern is said to represent the teeth of Pakhamba, the pythonic god. With a versatile range of colours and style, there is a Moirang Phee piece out there for everyone. The motifs on the saree are often inspired by nature, think flowers and animals.

Telangana’s Pochampally Ikat

These are distinctly characterised by the traditional geometric patterns throughout the saree. In this weaving method, the threads are dyed before adding them on the loom. Sustainable and comfortable, made with natural colours and a mixture of silk and cotton, these elegant sarees have to be a staple in every closet.