Bleached-Sand Long Jacket with Aari Embroidered Multicolor Flowers from Kashmir and Side Pockets
Dry clean only. Store folded in a soft muslin pouch away from direct sunlight to keep the sheen alive.
Description
There is a quietness to this jacket that speaks louder than ornament. Worked by Kashmiri artisans schooled in the ancient discipline of Aari embroidery, its surface carries a constellation of multicolour flowers rendered with the fine hooked needle that has defined the valley's textile identity for centuries. The ground is art silk in a tone as pale and composed as bleached river sand, allowing the blooms to read with gentle clarity rather than compete for attention. Aari work at its finest is never hurried; each motif follows a logic of hand and memory passed between generations of craftspeople in the villages around Srinagar and Anantnag. Deep side pockets lend this long jacket a practical ease, so that it moves as gracefully through a gallery afternoon as through a festive family gathering. Layer it over a straight-cut kurta in ivory or soft blush to let the embroidery remain the quiet protagonist. It pairs equally well with tailored trousers or a fine cotton churidar for occasions where elegance and restraint are equally welcome.
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Behind this piece
Aari embroidery takes its name from the hooked needle, the aari, that Kashmiri craftsmen have wielded for centuries across the valleys of Srinagar and Anantnag. Each flower on this bleached-sand jacket is worked in chain stitch, a technique refined under Mughal patronage and carried forward by generations of Kashmiri karigar families. The multicolour blooms follow a tradition of naturalistic florals drawn from the chinar leaf, the iris, and the climbing rose, motifs that once adorned royal shawls. Here, that same vocabulary lands lightly on art silk, translated into contemporary silhouette without losing its garden-valley soul.
How to style
Wear this long jacket over slim ivory palazzo trousers and flat Kolhapuri sandals for a weekend gallery visit or a daytime puja gathering. For a festive evening, layer it over a fitted silk kurta in deep rose or saffron, letting the embroidered hem take centre stage, and add carved silver jhumkas from Rajasthan. On cooler days, pair it with straight-cut dark denim, a simple white cotton tee beneath, and tan block-heeled mojris. The neutral bleached-sand base accommodates bold and muted wardrobes with equal ease, making it a long-reaching investment across seasons.
Fabric & care
Art silk is a lustrous but delicate fibre that rewards careful handling. Hand wash separately in cool water using a gentle, pH-neutral detergent, and never wring or twist the fabric. Support the full weight of the garment when lifting it wet. Lay flat on a clean towel to dry away from direct sunlight, which can fade the embroidery threads over time. Press on the reverse side using a low heat setting with a pressing cloth to protect the aari work. Store folded in a breathable cotton muslin bag, away from moisture and sharp-edged accessories.
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