FAQ: Silk Sarees

What is a silk saree?
Silk saree for women is a traditional Indian garment that is made from the silk fabric. It is a long piece of lustrous and regal-looking cloth that is draped around in a beautiful way. It is paired with a silk saree blouse and petticoat. 

It is believed that silk was introduced in India through the states of Samarkand and Bukhara by Chinese traders. Gradually, the royal families of India started demanding this fabric for their personal use. This is how silk ki Saree became a popular garment choice for women across India. 

There are many kinds of silk sarees for women; namely, Kanchipuram Silk sarees, Banarasi Silk sarees, Mysore silk sarees, Patola silk sarees, Tussar Silk sarees and many more. All these sarees can be draped in gorgeous ways to create fancy or traditional saree looks. 

The making of silk sarees involves a very intricate process. It begins with the cultivation of silk and the resultant cocoons are boiled for making fibres which are subsequently spun, dyed and woven to make a saree. Any kind of desired embroidery or embellishment is done subsequently. 

The most famous party wear sarees for weddings in India are Banarasi Silk sarees. These sarees are known for their exquisite appeal, beautiful motifs and Zari and Brocade work.

The most special thing about silk sarees is their royal look and lustrous appeal. The intricate design pattern on silk sarees is what makes them look and feel super luxurious. In addition to that, silk sarees have a lot of cultural and traditional significance as well. 

The royal look and impressive design patterns of silk sarees make them a cut above the rest when it comes to traditional clothing. Moreover, silk is a luxurious fabric and hence it is very desirable. 

The choice of silk for making a saree will depend upon the choice and design of the saree that you are looking for. Some of the most popular silk saree fabrics are Mulberry Silk, Tussar Silk, Banarasi Silk, Kanchipuram Silk etc. 

One of the best ways of identifying an authentic silk saree is to take a strand of the saree and burn it. If it smells like burnt hair and solidifies into a bead, it is real silk. 
If the burn test sounds a little invasive, you can check out the weight, price and weave of the saree to test its authenticity. Real silk is heavier and more expensive than its synthetic counterfeits. 

Silk sarees are made from a natural fabric. The cultivation of silk involves a time and labour intensive process. Furthermore, the intricacy of design also has an impact on the pricing of silk sarees. 

In order to preserve your silk saree, you should properly clean and fold it. Store it in a cool and dry place, away from humidity and direct sunlight. You can also put some neem leaves near the saree, to mitigate the risk of pest infestation.

In order to properly care for your pure silk saree, you can make sure that you don't spray scent or deodorant on it. You should also handle it with a lot of care. Iron it on the reverse side on low heat. It's best to keep a muslin cloth between the iron and the saree. 

It is advisable to get your silk sarees dry-cleaned in order to care for them properly. Rough handling or usage of a strong cleaning agent while hand washing can damage the silk fabric. 

Yes. silk sarees for women are very versatile and they are available in a number of designs and patterns. From a fancy saree to a wedding saree, you can explore the expansive range of silk sarees at iTokri to take your pick. 

India is home to many glorious kinds of silk sarees. Some of the most popular regions in India that are famous for their silk sarees are; Mysore, Bhagalpur, Kanchipuram, Banaras (Varanasi), Chanderi and Paithani. The sarees from these regions have eponymous names and they are widely popular across India and the world.

Yes. silk is a very luxurious fabric and it looks super grand when worn in the form of a saree. Brides can opt for heavy Banarasi or Kanchipuram sarees to look like a queen on their big day. 

There are many types of weaving techniques that are used for making silk sarees. A few of those techniques are as follows: 

• A special weaving technique that combined warp, weft and zari threads. 
• Brocade technique where in the required design is woven into the fabric using silver or golden zari threads. 
• A traditional handloom technique where silk is woven with cotton to create a lightweight saree. 
• Patola silk sarees are made using a double ikat weaving technique. 

Yes. silk sarees are like assets in a woman’s wardrobe and they can be passed down to future generations. Having said that, it is important to remember that proper storage and preservation of silk sarees are  very important for their longevity and to maintain their beautiful appearance. 

You can accessorise your silk sarees as per the order of your day. You can get statement silver jewellery with lightweight Chanderi silk sarees and Gold, Kundan or Polki jewellery with heavy Banarasi sarees. Make sure that you focus on your footwear as well before stepping out as it can easily make or break your whole look. 

You can browse through a wide range of authentic silk sarees on iTokri. The sheer range of options is bound to spoil you for choice. No matter if you are looking for something to be worn casually or for a wedding, there is something on iTokri for everyone.