Red & Grey Handloom Ikat Cotton Dress Material (2 Piece)

This is a 2 piece unstitched dress material in handwoven ikat cotton — a 2.5 metre top length and a 2.5 metre dupatta, ready to take to your tailor. The top is red, patterned with fine white ikat dashes running in close vertical lines. The dupatta is grey, scattered with white floral ikat butta, and finished with a dusty rose border and a deeper red end panel. A bottom is not included, so you can choose your own pant fabric.

Fabric and weave

Both pieces are 100% cotton, handwoven on a loom. The pattern is ikat, which means the yarn is tie-dyed before it ever goes on the loom — the design is built into the weave rather than printed on top of it. That is why ikat motifs have soft, feathered edges. The slight blur is the mark of the technique, not a flaw.

The floral butta on the dupatta is the more intricate of the two patterns. Each small flower is made of several dyed sections of yarn that have to arrive at the loom in the right order to form the shape — repeated across the full width of the cloth, hundreds of times over. Look closely and no two flowers are quite identical. That is the point.

Because this is handwoven, small irregularities in the weave are normal, and the two pieces may vary very slightly in shade.

What you receive

• Top fabric — 2.5 metres, red handloom ikat cotton with fine white vertical dashes
• Dupatta — 2.5 metres, grey handloom ikat cotton with white floral butta, a dusty rose border and a deeper red end panel
• Bottom fabric is not included

The dupatta does not come with tassels attached. The ends are left as loose threads, which you or your tailor can knot into tassels in whatever style you like. We would rather tell you this here than have you discover it when the parcel is opened.

How to wear it

This is the quietest of our red sets. The grey dupatta cools the red down rather than competing with it, and the fine vertical dashes on the top read almost as texture from a distance instead of as pattern. It suits a working day, a temple visit, a morning function — the occasions where you want to look considered rather than dressed up.

For the bottom, plain grey matched to the dupatta is the most balanced choice and the one we would suggest first. Red matched to the top gives you a stronger, warmer column. Off-white is the lightest of the three and works well through summer. Avoid a second print — the floral butta on the dupatta is doing the detailed work.

The dusty rose border is the detail worth styling around. It bridges the red and the grey, so jewellery in either gold or oxidised silver will sit comfortably here — gold warms the set towards the red, silver cools it towards the grey. Jhumkas or a single neckpiece, and nothing more.

Before you stitch

We recommend dry cleaning the fabric before the first wash. Cotton can shrink a little, so take both pieces to your tailor exactly as they arrive and let them measure before cutting. How much fabric your kurta needs depends on your height, the length you want and your sleeve style, so it is worth a conversation with your tailor before the scissors come out.

Care

• Hand wash separately in cold water with a mild detergent
• Dry cleaning is recommended for the first wash
• No bleach, no harsh chemicals
• Wash dark and light colours separately
• Do not soak, wring or twist the fabric
• Line dry in the shade — direct sun fades cotton faster
• Warm iron only

Shipping and returns

Free shipping on all prepaid orders within India. Cash on Delivery is available across India with a ₹150 cash-handling charge. Orders are dispatched within 1 working day and usually reach metro cities in 2–3 days and other cities in 5–7 days. Returns are accepted within 5 days of receipt with an unedited parcel-opening video; exchanges within 3 days, in original condition and packaging.

Questions buyers ask

What exactly is included in this 2 piece set?

You receive two pieces of unstitched fabric: a 2.5 metre red top length and a 2.5 metre grey dupatta with white floral butta, both in handloom ikat cotton. A bottom or pant fabric is not included.

Does the dupatta come with tassels?

No. The dupatta arrives with loose threads at both ends rather than finished tassels. You or your tailor can knot them into tassels in whatever style and thickness you prefer. Many customers like this, because they can match the tassel style to the kurta they are having stitched.

Is this real handwoven ikat, or a printed design?

It is handwoven ikat. The yarn is resist-dyed before weaving, so the pattern exists inside the fabric and appears on both sides. A printed imitation sits only on the surface and looks noticeably paler on the reverse.

What is the fabric made of?

Both the top and the dupatta are 100% cotton.

Will 2.5 metres be enough for my kurta?

The top fabric is 2.5 metres. Whether that is enough depends on your height, the kurta length you want and your sleeve style, so please confirm with your tailor before cutting.

Should I wash the fabric before stitching it?

We recommend dry cleaning before the first wash rather than washing it at home. Cotton can shrink slightly, and dry cleaning first avoids a surprise after the kurta is already stitched.

Will the red run onto the grey?

Wash the two pieces separately in cold water, especially for the first few washes, and never soak them together. The dupatta carries red in its border and end panel as well, so keep it away from lighter clothes. Dry cleaning the first time is the safest route. Line dry in the shade.

What bottom fabric should I pair with it?

Plain grey matched to the dupatta is the most balanced choice. Red matched to the top is warmer and stronger. Off-white is the lightest and works well through summer. Avoid a second printed fabric.

Is this an everyday set or a festive one?

It leans everyday. The grey softens the red, so it suits a working day, a temple visit or a morning function rather than a large celebration — this is the most understated of our red sets.

Do you deliver Cash on Delivery?

Yes. Cash on Delivery is available across India, with a ₹150 cash-handling charge. Prepaid orders ship free within India.

Can I return it if it doesn't suit me?

Returns are accepted within 5 days of receiving your order, with an unedited video of the parcel being opened from start to finish. Exchanges are accepted within 3 days, with the fabric in its original condition and packaging.

A note on colour

Slight colour variation can occur because of camera settings and lighting, and red in particular shifts between scarlet and deeper brick depending on the light it is photographed in. Returns and exchanges are not accepted for this reason alone — which is exactly why we are happy to show you the fabric on a video call first.