Red-Dahlia Pure Silk Long Jacket from Kashmir with Aari Embroidered Paisley Jaal
Dry clean only. Store folded in a soft muslin pouch away from direct sunlight to keep the sheen alive.
Description
There are silences in embroidery that speak louder than ornament, and this jacket holds one of the deepest. Worked by Kashmiri artisans trained in the centuries-old tradition of aari embroidery, the piece carries a continuous paisley jaal across pure silk, each curved motif stitched with the fine hooked needle that gives this craft its name. The jaal, meaning a net or lattice of pattern, is among the most demanding formats in Kashmiri needlework, requiring sustained precision across the full length of the cloth. The silk ground, rich and burnished in the red of dahlia petals, lends the embroidery both depth and drama, allowing the dense floral lattice to catch light as the fabric moves. This is a garment made for occasions that deserve slow attention: a winter wedding, a festive dinner, an anniversary that calls for something considered rather than convenient. Wear it over a silk kurta in ivory or antique gold to let the embroidery claim its full presence. A pair of straight-cut trousers in deep burgundy or black keeps the silhouette grounded and quietly elegant.
Complete your look
Hand-picked pieces that sing gently with this one.
Behind this piece
Aari embroidery carries the full weight of Kashmir's artistic memory. Named for the hooked needle that draws thread through fabric in continuous, unbroken rhythm, the craft flourished under Mughal patronage and has been refined across generations in the valleys of Srinagar and Anantnag. The paisley jaal, or latticed field of mango-shaped motifs, is among its most demanding expressions: each curving line requires precise, unhurried movement across the silk ground. On this jacket, the red-dahlia silk becomes a living canvas, the embroidered network breathing across it in a manner no machine can replicate.
How to style
Wear this jacket over a column of ivory silk palazzo trousers and ivory mojris for a formal festive gathering, the embroidery doing all the speaking it needs to do. For a literary evening or gallery opening, layer it over a fine white cotton kurta and finish with antique silver jhumkas from Rajasthan. In cooler months, pair it with a deep burgundy crepe churidar and pearl studs to draw out the garnet and rose tones in the silk. Keep accessories considered and few: this piece has already said everything.
Fabric & care
Pure silk is a protein fibre of extraordinary delicacy. Dry cleaning is the safest and most advisable route for this jacket, given the density of the Aari embroidery. If hand washing becomes necessary, use cold water with a mild, pH-neutral cleanser and never wring or twist the fabric. Press only on the reverse side using a cool iron with a pressing cloth between iron and silk. Store folded in a breathable muslin cloth, never in plastic, and keep away from direct sunlight to preserve the depth of the dahlia-red ground over years of wear.
More from womens tops
Sale
Sale
Sale
Reviews
No reviews yet — be the first to share your thoughts.
From the Journal
Stories about the craft, the loom, and the wearing of a piece like this one.
