Organza Dupattas

Dupatta, chunni or stole

A dupatta is the long scarf worn with a salwar kameez or kurti: over the shoulders, across the chest or over the head. Indian families may call it a chunni, and Western shops might sell it as a stole or shawl.

Organza dupattas are the dressy kind, sheer enough to show the outfit underneath and crisp enough to hold a neat drape.

Stone, foil, lace and jacquard

The work is what makes each one different. Stone work adds small sparkling stones to the embroidery. Foil work is a metallic finish that catches the light. Lace finishes an edge. Jacquard has the pattern woven into the organza itself, so it looks rich without any added work. Organza also comes with some suits in the shop: the cotton party wear dresses and the katan silk palazzo dress each have a soft organza dupatta of their own.

The two embroidered dupattas are 84 and 86 inches long, generous enough to drape over both shoulders or pin at one side, and the white and gold one is 79 inches long and 43 wide.

Matching a dupatta to your outfit

A plain dupatta suits a busy suit, and a heavily worked one lifts a plain kurti and shalwar. White and gold goes with almost any color; green is a natural choice for a mehndi; peach looks soft with pastels.

Organza works all year, but it's the classic choice for weddings, Eid and Diwali. The guide on how to wear a dupatta shows easy drapes for each.

A dupatta is also an easy gift, because there is no size to guess. An embroidered organza dupatta makes a thoughtful present for Eid, Diwali or a bridal shower.

Ordering a dupatta with your outfit

Dupattas are one size, so there's nothing to measure except the drape you like. Add one to your bag along with a kurti or suit and send them together on WhatsApp; Shagufta confirms the order and gives you the shipping cost for everything before she sends it. For more shawls and print dupattas, see the dupattas section.