Men's Dushala Shawl (Lohi) with Stripes in Self Weave from Kullu
Dry clean recommended. Store with natural cedar or neem leaves. Avoid direct sunlight and moisture.
Description
There is a particular quietness to wool that has wintered in the mountains before it reaches the loom. This dushala lohi from Kullu is woven in a self-weave technique, where the striped pattern emerges from the structure of the weave itself rather than from applied colour or embellishment. The craft belongs to a long tradition of Himachali shoulder wraps, worn by men across the high valleys as both garment and statement of regional identity. The doeskin tone, warm and earthy, carries the natural character of mountain wool, substantial without stiffness, and soft enough to fold close against the neck on cold evenings. At a generous free size, it drapes with the unhurried ease that only hand-loomed textiles can offer, and it ages gracefully, deepening in texture with every wash and wearing. Fold it loosely over a plain kurta in ivory or slate for a considered everyday look, or let it rest across the shoulders of a woollen jacket when the occasion calls for quiet distinction.
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Behind this piece
The Kullu Valley of Himachal Pradesh has produced the Dushala, or Lohi, for centuries: a working shawl woven by local artisan communities whose looms sit against a backdrop of deodar forests and glacial rivers. Unlike the finer Pashmina traditions of the Kashmir Valley, the Kullu Lohi is unabashedly sturdy, woven in pure wool with a self-weave stripe that emerges from the cloth itself rather than from added ornamentation. The muted tones here, a warm doeskin and a quiet mourning dove grey, recall the undyed fleeces of Himalayan sheep and the unhurried pace of highland craft.
How to style
Wear this Lohi draped across both shoulders over a ivory kurta-pyjama set for a winter wedding reception, grounding the look with kolhapuri sandals in tan leather. On a cool city evening, fold it lengthwise and loop it loosely over a charcoal bandhgala suit; the doeskin stripe picks up warm metal tones beautifully alongside a silver kada. For weekends, throw it over a plain white linen shirt and dark indigo denim, letting the shawl carry all the weight of considered dressing. A pair of moccasins in cognac completes each of these effortlessly.
Fabric & care
Hand-wash this wool shawl in cold water using a mild, ph-neutral detergent formulated for woollens. Avoid wringing; press water out gently by rolling the shawl within a clean dry towel. Lay flat on a cotton surface away from direct sunlight to retain the doeskin and mourning dove tones without fading. Never hang to dry, as wet wool stretches under its own weight. Store folded in a breathable muslin bag with dried neem leaves or cedar blocks to discourage moth damage. With this care, the cloth will soften and improve through years of use.
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