Wool Long Jacket from Kashmir with Multicolor Aari Embroidered Floral Motifs
Dry clean recommended. Store with natural cedar or neem leaves. Avoid direct sunlight and moisture.
Description
From the highlands of Kashmir, where needle meets wool in a centuries-old conversation, comes a jacket that carries the memory of mountain meadows on its surface. The ground fabric is a warm, substantial wool, chosen for its drape and its quiet resistance to the cold. Across it, Kashmiri artisans have worked the aari, a fine hooked needle that pulls thread into curved, flowering forms with a precision that no loom can replicate. The multicolour floral motifs bloom in the manner of the valley's own gardens, generous and unhurried, arranged with the compositional instinct that defines this craft tradition. Available in five considered colourways, from the softness of Cannoli Cream to the richness of Poppy Red and the quiet confidence of Spectra Green, each version reads entirely differently against the skin. This jacket sits beautifully over a fine merino or silk kurta for a winter gathering or a cultural occasion. Wear it also with tailored trousers and a simple cotton inner for a pairing that honours the craft without overwhelming it.
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Behind this piece
Aari embroidery takes its name from the hooked needle, the aar, that Kashmiri craftsmen have wielded for centuries across the Vale. Unlike the counted-thread precision of sozni work, aari moves fluidly across the surface of the fabric, coaxing chain stitches into sweeping florals, vines, and petals drawn from the Mughal garden tradition. On wool, the technique acquires particular warmth: the thread sinks slightly into the pile, giving each motif a softly raised quality. This long jacket carries that vocabulary across its body, making it a wearable record of one of India's most storied embroidery lineages.
How to style
For a winter wedding or festive gathering, layer this jacket over a fine silk kurta in ivory or deep wine, and finish with jhumkas in oxidised silver. On a cooler Delhi afternoon, wear it over slim straight-cut trousers and pointed leather mojris for an effortlessly curated look. For the diaspora occasion, pair the Poppy Red or Blue Jewel colourway with a straight-cut churidar and a structured potli clutch. The long silhouette doubles as an elegant cover for salwar suits, removing the need for a separate shawl entirely.
Fabric & care
Kashmiri wool is resilient but rewards considered handling. Hand wash in cool water with a mild, pH-neutral detergent, and never wring or twist the fabric. Press gently between two dry towels to remove excess water, then reshape and dry flat away from direct sunlight, which can fade the multicolour aari threads over time. Steam lightly on a low setting to revive the drape. Store folded, never hung, to prevent shoulder distortion. Tuck a cedar block nearby to protect the wool through long storage between seasons.
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