Is a Block Print Saree Good for Winter?
Koshnika 3 min read
It depends on the fabric underneath, not the print. Block printing is a way of decorating cloth, so a block print saree is only as warm as its base. Ours are printed on modal, bamboo silk and viscose Chanderi, which are light fabrics. They work in a mild Indian winter with a full-sleeve blouse and a shawl, and need more layering in a cold north.
Is a block print saree good for winter? It depends on the base fabric
The print adds colour and pattern, nothing else. What decides warmth is the cloth. A thin cotton block print will feel cool in December. A heavier fabric will feel better, and anything sheer will need a layer.
Our block-print-inspired sarees are machine-printed. Here is what each base does in cooler weather.
Modal is soft and smooth, and it does not feel clammy the way some synthetics do. It does not insulate much, so treat it as a base layer. Our note on whether a modal saree is good for winter goes through it.
Bamboo silk is cool to the touch and stays cool against skin, which is a virtue in summer and a mild problem in January. Pair it with a warm blouse.
Viscose Chanderi is light and semi-sheer. It looks beautiful in winter light but it is the one that most needs a shawl.
Colours that read right in winter
Dark, saturated shades sit well in cooler months. Crimson, noir black, charcoal, midnight blue and deep green all look richer in low light than pastels do. Pale florals are not wrong, but they feel like summer.
A block print border or a bold repeat on a dark base gives you the festive look without needing heavy zari.
How to layer a block print saree
- Wear a full-sleeve or elbow-length blouse in a thicker fabric such as velvet or a raw-silk-style weave.
- Add a shawl, stole or fitted jacket over the pallu. Drape it so the print still shows.
- Wear a cotton petticoat. It adds a little warmth and stops a fluid fabric from clinging.
- Keep the pleats neat and slightly fewer than usual, since layers add bulk at the waist.
For a winter wedding, our guide on what saree to wear to a winter wedding as a guest shows where a printed saree fits and where it does not.
Caring for a block print saree in winter
Cold weather slows drying, which is where problems start. A saree folded while slightly damp can turn musty.
- Wash in cold water with a mild detergent, and keep it separate from other colours for the first few washes.
- Do not wring. Press the water out between your palms.
- Dry in shade until it is completely dry, which takes longer in winter.
- Iron on the reverse at low to medium heat.
The full routine is in how to wash a block print saree at home. If you are new to the craft, start with what block printing on fabric is, and see block print saree price in India for what to expect to pay.
Two worth looking at
If you want to try a block-print-inspired saree this winter, Raga – Crimson Modal Saree is worth looking at. A deep crimson base that holds up in low winter light and takes a shawl well. ₹1,830, blouse piece included.
For something darker, Raatri – Noir Black Modal Saree is the evening option. Black with a block-print-inspired design, easy to style with gold or oxidised jewellery. ₹1,830, blouse piece included.
Browse the full range of block print sarees, modal sarees or the festive sarees edit. Every saree is 5.5 metres plus a 0.8 metre unstitched blouse piece, with free shipping across India, cash on delivery and 48-hour returns.
