Black Fine Woolen Long Cloak with Arabian Sleeves and Detailed Floral and Paisley White Aari Embroidery
Dry clean recommended. Store with natural cedar or neem leaves. Avoid direct sunlight and moisture.
Description
Woolen. Shoulder 24 inch, Bust 56 inch, Sleeve Length 16 inch, length 60 inch
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Behind this piece
Aari embroidery takes its name from the hooked needle, the aari, used by craftspeople across Kashmir and parts of Rajasthan to pull thread up through fabric in continuous, chain-like loops. On black fine wool, this technique achieves something close to theatre: white thread tracing dense floral medallions and curved paisley forms against deep ground cloth. The Arabian sleeve, generous and sweeping, draws on a silhouette that travelled through Persian and Mughal courts before settling into the vocabulary of ceremonial outerwear. This cloak sits at that particular crossing point, where subcontinental needlework meets a quietly cosmopolitan cut.
How to style
Wear the cloak over a slim ivory or ivory-embroidered kurta and narrow churidar for winter festive gatherings; the white aari picks up the lighter garment beneath and creates a coherent tonal conversation. For a more contemporary reading, layer it over a structured black turtleneck and straight trousers. Finish either look with silver jhumkas or oxidised Kashmiri silver earrings rather than gold, which would compete with the embroidery's brightness. Footwear should be restrained: tan leather mojris or pointed black boots keep the focus on the cloak's silhouette and surface work.
Fabric & care
Fine wool is a living fibre and rewards considered handling. Dry-clean this cloak whenever possible, as water and agitation together can felt the weave irreversibly. If spot-cleaning at home, use cold water and a very small amount of mild, pH-neutral detergent, pressing gently rather than rubbing. After wearing, air the garment on a wide wooden hanger away from direct sunlight, which can dull both the wool and the white thread over time. Store folded in a breathable muslin bag with cedar blocks; avoid plastic, which traps humidity and encourages moth activity.
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