Summer in Khaadi

I always have Khaadi in my wardrobe. Living in Karachi, it is the most practical, easy to wear fabric all year round. Until recently I always bought the generic khaadi fabric to have it stitched up as easy to wear casual kurtas. But this year, for the first time, I actually set out and bought myself some Khaadi lawn.

I have to say that the campaign and billboards did nothing to inspire me. They were overwhelming and there was way too much print on print. The joras were actually pretty much the same, except for I found two prints that I really liked. And since I was hell-bent on trying the fabric out (in the name of research, of course), I bought and brought them home.

One was an olive green and coral print (above) that has ended up as a tunic with the lighter print as the front and sleeves and the heavier print on the back. The full sleeves have smocking at the cuffs so they can be pulled up and the neckline is a very loose Chinese collar, which can be buttoned up or left partly open.

The second print I got was this blue and white, with mustard detailing (right). Again, this turned into the back and sleeves being one print and the lighter motifs on the front. I love the way the mustard border has been incorporated inside the wide sleeves and on an outward turned V-neckline. Replete with pin-tucks and an easy breezy fitting, this is one shirt that I’m really enjoying.

The best part is that I got another shirt out of the fabric that was provided for the shalwar/trouser.

The blue fabric was turned into another easy tunic, with a printed collar (taken from one of the borders provided) and the same border on the elasticated cuffs. Again, they can be pulled up. I absolutely adore the polka dots that have been embroidered on the sleeves.

Before you start wondering how I’m managing all of this, I have to confess that Maheen Karim has been most brilliant and innovative in putting these bits and pieces together.

This tunic, however, is off the rack and accessible to anyone with a love for script and truck art, which I do. I did chop several inches off the hemline because it was way too long and yes, it is very Gulabo inspired but I fell in love with it. Have you noticed that it says in Urdu, “Pout, magar pyar set” 🙂