Lucknow’s Chikankari magic: A summer wardrobe staple

Scrolling through sundappled images of Bollywood stars flurrying on social media, it’s hard to miss their newfound love for Lucknowi kurtas in myriad colours. While actor Gauahar Khan opted for a grey one with white embroidery, actors Rakulpreet Singh and Radhika Madan opted for yellow and a minimal white, respectively.

Once upon a time, they were a summer favourite, made of cotton with lightweight embroidery that added a dash of glam. Though they lost galore with time, many Indian designers are now trying to revive the trend, which seem to have become a staple, especially during the lockdown.

A prominent technique of traditional Indian weaves – Lucknow’s Chikankari, can be seen splashed on colorful hand woven cotton. Designers feel Lucknowi kurtas have always been famous and recently, the Chikankari done on organza, cotton and linens are becoming a season favourite. “With new fabrics and patterns being worked upon, this vintage craft is now preferred a lot by millennials,” says designer Gautam Gupta.

The Lucknowi kurta is both formal and comfortable, making it fit for all occasions. “Lucknowi kurtas are such a classic. And they’re eternal. It’s best for summer as the key element of it is that they’re meant to be in fine transparent fabric, so that the embroidery on the inside is visible as well. They look best with classic denims. For men, pairing them with sandals or chunky sneakers makes it super adorable. Women can go for chunky or pencil heels for a more powerful look,” suggests stylist Isha Bhansali.

PHOTOS: INSTAGRAM Lucknowi kurtas are a favourite among celebs, including Gauahar Khan and Rakulpreet Singh (inset)