Chikankari Sarees

The Art of Chikankari Saree: The Pride of Lucknow

The Nawabi city of Lucknow is not just famous for its food delicacies but also for the classy art of chikankari. The talented craftsmen of Lucknow use the art of stitching to create elegant and elaborate patterns on a variety of different fabrics. Traditionally, the popular motifs were floral. But nowadays with the changing fashion trends, the art of chikankari has also evolved to fulfill the contemporary demands of the fashion world. Thus, chikankari sarees are extremely elegant and beautiful. Chikankari saree to enhance the beauty of any woman and are perfect for any type of occasion.

About Chikankari Saree

The art of chikankari originated in the city of Nawabs, currently known as Lucknow in Uttar Pradesh. This regal art can trace its birth to the Mughal era. Even though you can find chikankari designs in the markets of different parts of India. But you can find the most beautiful pieces of chikankari only in the streets of Chowk and Aminabad in Lucknow now available in mirraw as well. Traditionally, different motifs, patterns, and designs were stitched onto different colored fabrics using white thread. But nowadays, different colored threads are also used to create more vibrant and impressionable patterns.

Fabrics For Chikankari Saree

Traditionally, cotton is the most popular fabric used to make chikankari sarees. Chikankari fabric perfect for hot summers. Nowadays, however, different fabrics are also used to make chikankari sarees. Fabrics like silk, georgette, chiffon, linen, net, etc have become popular options for chikankari art and chikankari sarees. The beautiful embroidery of chikankari helps to bring out the enchanting beauty of each of these fabrics. Thus, you can get the highest quality of chikankari sarees in different fabrics online on Mirraw.

Designs And Motifs of Chikankari Saree

The designs and motifs of chikankari sarees are enough to captivate anyone. These designs and patterns are so beautiful because of the great talent of Indian artisans. The craftsmen meticulously stitch many intricate and elaborate designs on different fabrics to create the most beautiful chikankari sarees. Flowers, paisley patterns, peacocks, fruits, and other natural elements are typical motifs. One popular design you will commonly notice on chikankari sarees is ‘butis’ which includes the stitching of tiny flowers on the entire length of the saree. Many craftsmen also use a technique called ‘Bakhiya’ to create a 3-D effect on the patterns and stitches.

Popular Stitches Found in Chikankari

The types of stitch patterns in Lucknawi chikankari extend to more than thirty. This is where the uniqueness of Lucknawi chikan lies. It is also unique to Lucknow, since it is not found in any other place. From the thirty, some of the more popular types of stitches include -

Phanda Work: One of the most well-known chikankari motifs is this hand-embroidered floral pattern. It frequently goes with Murri's work, which gives the fabric a pearly appearance.

Tepchi Work: Tepchi work is an embroidery style that uses extremely fine and delicate thread work and is frequently referred to as "wonderful work." Because every stitch is symmetrical, it is impossible to tell which side is right or wrong by simply glancing at the fabric.

Shadow Work: As the name suggests, this stitching is done on the back of the cloth using a different sort of stitch called the herringbone stitch, which leaves an impression on the front of the fabric that resembles a shadow.

Comfort Of Wearing Chikankari Saree

Chikankari sarees are extremely comfortable to wear, especially when they are made using cotton. Since cotton is such a lightweight fabric, it is very easy to carry cotton chikankari sarees. Additionally, these materials are incredibly breathable. This makes them perfect for the hot and sultry weather of India. The embroidery itself is stitched using lightweight threads, so it does not really contribute to the weight of the saree.

The fabric and embroidery itself have a very soft texture to it, which makes the saree feel very soft against the skin. Combining all these qualities makes the chikankari extremely comfortable to wear. So, you can wear it to both grand events and for casual daily wear as well.

Styling Tips for Chikankari Saree

Perfect blouse you wear enhance the look of the saree as well as person. Keep the blouse neckline simple and elegant to keep the focus on the embroidery on the saree.  A boat neck or a U-neck is the best option for a subtle yet elegant look. Make sure the blouse matches with the saree, whether it's a matching color or a contrasting color. You can also go for a monochromatic look if that is what you want. You can experiment with the blouse's back design and add as many tassels as you like. As for the sleeve length or half sleeves make for the best look.

When choosing jewelry accessories for chikankari sarees, you need to make sure that it doesn’t take away from the beauty of the chikankari saree. Choose an elegant yet delicate necklace to wear with a chikankari saree. The design and length of the necklace will depend on the neckline of your blouse. For a festival or wedding, a Kundan choker necklace set is a fantastic choice. If you are wearing a chikankari saree casually, then a small pendant would do. As for earrings, make sure they match the necklace, in both color and extravagance. Jhumkas look the best with chikankari sarees. Other than that, you can keep the accessories to a minimum to keep the chikankari in the limelight. You can adorn an elegant set of bangles or wear beautiful rings along with the chikankari saree if you are looking for some more jewelry.

BUY THE BEST CHIKANKARI SAREES ON MIRRAW

Mirraw’s extensive collection of chikankari sarees is the best online. From vibrant colors to the most elegant designs, you can find all kinds of chikankari sarees on Mirraw. On top of that, you can avail tons of price discounts and other such deals on Mirraw. So, happy shopping!