Go natural with vegetable dyed fabrics

While we are struggling with picking out clothes which will be comfortable yet stylish in this sweltering weather, vegetable dyed fabrics are enjoying renaissance for they are pure and have absolutely no side effects on us or the environment.

In a nutshell, vegetable dyes have been around since ancient times, which are extracted and processed from tomatoes, carrots, onion peel, and even turmeric. And nowadays, some companies have started using these naturally processed dyes for giving the fabrics an alluring natural look.

Talking about the usage of vegetable dyes in printed sarees, the director of Vineet sarees, Vineet Chhajer said, “Most of the printed sarees are made from vegetable dyes which apart from giving a very trendy, natural feel are specially used for compelling environmental issues as they are eco-friendly in nature. The awe-inspiring designs and styles symbolise grace and dignity,” added Vineet, who has been in this business since 2005.

Many people wonder why vegetable dyed fabrics are more beautiful than the regular products available in the market today. The reason behind this is that it takes a long time and great effort to prepare vegetable dyes. Since the inputs used in preparing natural dyes are pure, they are safe for the skin. Moreover, they have minimal environmental impact while giving you a very natural, mid tone look.

“Natural fabrics breathe, so the wearer enjoys wearing them as they allow air to pass and reach the skin. Whereas, synthetic fabrics tend to make you feel uncomfortable and cause irritation to the skin. Also, during rains or in peak summers the wearer of polyester would sweat more,” explains Vineet as to why spending a lot of bucks on a naturally dyed saree is worth it.

But how do I spot a vegetable dyed saree from a synthetic one?

The vegetable colours are normally not bright and because they use natural sources, the fabric remains soft and feels good. While synthetic sarees use acid colours, which exudes radiant colours.

Though vegetable dyes are awe inspiring, they come with some cons. They lack the vibrancy of synthetic dyes as natural dyes tend to fade quickly. More so, quality may not be as consistent as what synthetic dyes can deliver. They are a bit costly as they range from anywhere between INR 600013000. Another issue with natural dyes is their availability, as the raw materials can vary from season to season and place to place, whereas synthetic dyes can be produced in laboratories all year round.