Grey and Sand Chettinad Cotton Saree with Black Mango Buttas

Woven in Chettinad, Tamil Nadu.

Chettinad cotton comes off handlooms around Karaikudi, in the far south of Tamil Nadu. It is a heavier, tighter cotton than most, which is why it holds a crisp pleat instead of collapsing, and why it softens with every wash rather than wearing thin. The body and the border are woven in different colours on the same loom, not stitched together afterwards. Run your thumb along where the two meet when it arrives: you will feel the weave change, not a seam.

The quietest saree in the range. Broad horizontal bands of grey, sand and off white run across the body, separated by one fine gold line. Black buttas sit against them, a large mango on the sand band and smaller floral shapes on the grey. No brocade, no crowding, just colour blocking and a few well placed motifs.

Pure cotton, so it breathes through a Delhi summer. If you have never worn a handloom saree and think they are all bright and heavy, this is the one to start with. Pair it with black, white or grey.

Details

• Weave: Chettinad handloom
• Origin: Chettinad (Karaikudi), Tamil Nadu
• Fabric: Pure handloom cotton
• Colour: Grey, sand and off white bands
• Motifs: Black mango and floral buttas, one fine gold line
• Weight: 550 g
• Length: 6.5 m including blouse piece

Handwoven, so slight irregularities in the weave and motif spacing are natural and not defects.