Noor-e-Banaras Lichi Silk Black Suit (T+B+D) Brocade Weaving

What colours pair best with black?

Black takes almost any accent. Gold makes it festive and rich; silver keeps it cool and modern. For colour, a fuchsia, mustard or emerald stole, potli or pair of juttis gives a lively pop. Red lipstick with small gold earrings is a simple, sharp combination. Keep accents to one or two colours so the brocade still leads.

Is it ready to wear, or will I need a tailor?

You'll need a tailor. The set is sold as unstitched fabric: a top piece, a bottom piece and a dupatta. Unstitched means you choose the fit and style, a straight kurta or something with more flare, rather than adjusting a ready-made size that may not suit you.

Will stripes and paisleys together look busy?

Not really, because each piece has one idea: gold leaf butis with a paisley hem band on the top fabric, and diagonal gold stripes on the dupatta. Keep jewellery and footwear simple, and drape the dupatta on one shoulder if you want the paisley hem band to stay visible.

Is the pattern woven in or printed?

Woven in. Brocade weaving builds the decorative pattern into the cloth on the loom, often with metallic threads, so the motifs are part of the fabric rather than printed on top. You can feel a slight raised texture over the pattern, and it won't wash or rub off the way a print can.

Any tips I should pass on to my tailor?

Three things help with brocade. Overlock or bind the seams, because woven patterns can fray once cut. Plan the layout so motifs sit centred on the front and upright on the sleeves. And keep the design simple, with few darts and seams, so the woven pattern isn't broken up.

Is the bottom fabric enough for palazzos?

The bottom piece is 2.4 to 2.5 metres. That usually covers straight pants or a slim palazzo for most sizes, but a very wide, flowing palazzo can need more. Straight or slightly flared bottoms also keep the look neat under a brocade kurta.