Stylish Ikkat prints salwar kameez

Ikat, or Ikkat, is a dyeing technique wherein bindings or substances resisting dye penetration are applied over the fibres in pre-determined patterns and then the threads are dyed. Alteration of bindings and using more than one colour for dyeing produces multi-coloured thread effect. Removal of the bindings and the subsequent weaving of the threads would form the desired pattern woven in the fabric. The determining characteristic of ikat is the dyeing of patterns, by means of bindings, on the threads prior to the weaving of the fabric.

Ikkat is classified into single-ikkat and double-ikat styles. Single Ikat fabrics are created by interweaving tied and dyed warp with plain weft or resisted weft yarns is inserted in plain weft. Double ikat involves the process of resisting on both warp and weft and then interlacing them to form intricate yet well composed patterns. The artistic excellence of ikat prints can be gauged from its traditional motifs of flowers, dancing girl, creepers, leafs, parrot, animals, birds, mythological characters and geometrical patterns. Most of the ikkat printed salwar kameez have repeated geometrical patterns of diamonds (rattan chowk), circles, squares, lines etc. Ikkat prints are trending and high fashion on a variety of fabrics like pure cotton, pure silk, georgette, crepe and supernet, to mention some.

The soft and appealing deep purple colour bandhini printed salwar kameez has the deep purple kameez with white and light brown bandhini prints all over with a plain deep purple salwar and a bandhini prints deep purple dupatta. This pleasing salwar suit would do very well for office, social occasions, festivals, parties and traditional functions. The stylish south cotton sun tan orange and red bandhini printed salwaar kameez has white and light brown and peach red bandhini prints all over the sun tan orange Kameez with a stone work attached border. The pure cotton dupatta with white bandhini prints on peach red and sun tan orange borders is an eye-catcher. A mild sensation party piece or a festival and social events wear.

The orange colour cotton ikkat prints Salwar Kameez has cut work and green block prints along with chamki work on the kameez. The salwar is an orange self colour floral affair in block prints. The orange with brown and red floral prints at the ends makes it a stylish combination. This piece would work well for almost any occasion.

The yellow and pink pure cotton ikkat prints Punjabi suit has multi-colour embroidered floral buttis with kundan and phulkari work on the Kameez, with a blue and pink attached patch border. The salwar is plain pink and the dual colour pure chiffon chunni has a lace patch border. This exquisite floral salwar kameez offering would be suitable for any big occasion such as weddings, parties, social functions and festivals. The cream and green cotton ikkat prints neck work Punjabi suit has red, green and zari embroidered floral buttis on the kameez. The salwar is a fancy green silk one and the green chiffon chunni is one with an attached gold colour patch border. This jazzy piece would suit any occasion for style and fashion.

The pure cotton ikkat prints light, soft, smooth and lustrous. Its absorbency keeps one comfortable during hot weather while its low conductivity makes it comfortable wear during cold conditions. It finds use in clothing such as sarees, salwar kameez, shirts, ties, blouses, formal dresses, high fashion clothes, and many other forms of apparel. The ikkat prints salwar kameez have always appealed to the Indian women and the market keeps on throwing up new creations in response

Prachi.L She is a freelancer long associated with ethnic fabrics, known for her special leaning towards ethnic sarees. She enjoys the privilege of being a part-time consultant to Unnati Silks. S.E-mail her at unnatikaro@gmail.com.