Every ethnic listing on the internet calls its fabric “premium”. That word tells you nothing. What matters in Thane in May is whether the fabric breathes, whether it creases in a rickshaw, and whether it survives being washed at home.

Cotton — the one for daytime

Cotton moves air. It is the only fabric on this list you can wear at an eleven-o-clock function in a hall without air conditioning and still be comfortable at one. It creases, it shrinks a little on the first wash, and it fades if you dry it in direct sun — all normal, none of it a defect. Our cotton anarkali sets are the ones we recommend to anyone buying their first set from us.

Rayon — soft, cool, and quietly demanding

Rayon drapes closer to the body than cotton and feels cooler on the skin than its weight suggests. It is what most everyday kurti sets are made of, and it is a good default. The catch: rayon is weaker when wet. Wring it hard and you will stretch it out of shape permanently. Cold machine wash on gentle, no wringing, dry flat or on a wide hanger.

Chanderi — for the evening, not the afternoon

Chanderi silk has a slight sheen and a crispness that holds a shape. It photographs beautifully, which is exactly why it appears in wedding and festive sets like our mustard chanderi set. It also creases if you look at it wrongly, and it wants hand washing in cold water. Treat it as an occasion fabric and it will last years. Treat it as an office kurta and you will be pressing it twice a week.

Vichitra silk — the flare fabric

Vichitra is a polyester silk-look fabric. It holds a flare standing away from the body, which is why Anarkali sets that need volume are cut in it. It does not breathe like cotton, so it is an evening fabric. It also takes sequin and thread embroidery well without the base puckering.

We describe it as vichitra silk because that is the trade name for the weave — not because it is mulberry silk. If a listing anywhere claims pure silk at these prices, check it twice.

The short version

• Daytime, home wash, hot weather: cotton.
• Everyday, soft drape, office: rayon or modal.
• Evening functions, photographs: chanderi.
• Volume and embroidery, weddings: vichitra or jacquard viscose — and dry clean it.

Every product page on this site names its fabric and its wash in the details table. If a page does not answer your question, write to us and we will go and look at the actual piece.