A beautifully stitched outfit deserves to last. Pakistani clothes often combine delicate fabrics with embroidery, sequins, stones and lace, and a little care keeps them looking new for many seasons. Here is how to look after everything from an everyday lawn suit to a bridal formal.
Everyday lawn and cotton
- Wash inside out in cold or lukewarm water, with a mild detergent.
- Wash dark and bright prints separately for the first few washes, as some dyes can run.
- Avoid soaking printed fabrics for long.
- Dry in the shade. Strong sun fades colour quickly, especially on lawn.
- Iron inside out while slightly damp, on a medium setting.
Embroidered and festive wear
Thread embroidery, gota and lace need gentler handling.
- Hand wash or use a delicate cycle in a laundry bag.
- Never wring. Press the water out gently in a towel instead.
- Iron on the reverse, with a thin cloth between the iron and the embroidery.
- Dry clean chiffon, silk and organza if you are unsure.
Heavily embellished formals and bridal wear
Outfits with zardozi, dabka, stones, sequins or pearls should be dry cleaned only, by a cleaner who has handled embellished wear before.
- Spot clean small marks gently with a damp cloth, rather than washing the whole outfit.
- Avoid perfume and hairspray directly on the fabric or embellishment, as they can tarnish metallic threads.
- Air the outfit after wearing before putting it away.
Storing your outfits
- Use cotton or muslin covers, not plastic, so the fabric can breathe.
- Fold heavy formals rather than hanging them, as the weight of the embellishment can stretch the fabric on a hanger.
- Put tissue paper between folds of embellished areas to stop stones and sequins catching.
- Refold now and then along different lines, so permanent creases don't form.
- Keep away from damp, and add a few neem leaves or cedar blocks to deter moths.
Small repairs
A loose stone or a few pulled threads are easy to fix if caught early. Keep any spare buttons or stones that come with your outfit. If an outfit we stitched has a problem caused by our work, message us on WhatsApp with photos.
Looking after the fabric starts with choosing the right one. Read our guide to choosing fabric for your Pakistani outfit, or start a tailoring request for your next outfit.