The fabric decides how an outfit feels, falls and lasts, and how it can be stitched. A design that looks beautiful in chiffon can look stiff in cotton, and a straight lawn shirt can lose its shape in silk. Knowing the main fabrics makes it much easier to choose an unstitched suit, and to tell your tailor what you want.
Lawn: the summer favourite
Lawn is a fine, lightweight cotton, and the heart of Pakistani summer fashion. It is breathable, soft and takes prints and light embroidery beautifully.
- Best for: everyday wear, office wear, summer gatherings and warm climates like the UAE and Saudi Arabia.
- Styles that suit it: straight shirts, A-lines, kurtas with cigarette pants or shalwar.
- Tip: lawn shrinks a little in the first wash. We allow for it when we cut, but if you plan to wash it before stitching, tell us.
Cotton and cambric
Cotton and cambric are slightly heavier than lawn, with more body. They hold structure well and are comfortable through spring and autumn.
- Best for: daily wear in milder weather and tailored, structured cuts.
- Styles that suit it: fitted shirts, collars, pleats and button details.
Khaddar and karandi
These are thick, textured winter fabrics, woven to keep you warm. Karandi has a slightly crisp, grainy feel; khaddar is softer and more rustic.
- Best for: winter in the UK, Canada and northern Europe.
- Styles that suit it: straight or A-line shirts with straight trousers, and simple necklines.
- Tip: heavy fabrics add weight to a parcel. If you are shipping a lot of winter wear, check the estimate in our shipping calculator.
Chiffon and georgette
Chiffon is sheer and floaty; georgette is a little heavier, with a soft crinkled texture. Both are the classic choice for festive and formal wear, and usually need a lining.
- Best for: weddings, Eid, dinners and parties.
- Styles that suit it: flared frocks, angrakhas, long kalidar shirts, lehengas and flowing dupattas.
- Tip: tell us the lining colour you prefer. A lining in a matching shade gives a solid look; a contrasting one adds depth.
Silk, raw silk and organza
Silk has a natural sheen and a rich drape. Raw silk is crisper and holds a shape well, which suits formal cuts. Organza is light, crisp and slightly transparent, often used for dupattas and sleeves.
- Best for: formal events, nikkah and bridal wear.
- Styles that suit it: structured shirts, peplums, sharara and gharara sets, statement sleeves.
Velvet
Velvet is the luxurious winter formal fabric: heavy, warm and rich in colour, and often embroidered.
- Best for: winter weddings and formal evenings.
- Styles that suit it: shawls, short jackets, fitted shirts and lehenga blouses.
How to choose
Start with the occasion and the climate where you will wear it, then the style. If you have a design picture in mind, send it with your fabric choice and we will tell you honestly whether the two work together, and what we would change. Read our guide to unstitched vs stitched if you are still deciding how to buy.
When you are ready, start a tailoring request with your fabric, design and measurements, and we will send you a quote.