Winter must-haves: Textiles

ISLAMABAD:

October makes the days short, dark and cold; winter slowly rears her head. What better way to prepare for the chill than to stock up on some good sweaters, shawls, scarves and ponchos? But this year there’s a catch — with the world economy uncertain and wavering; the intelligent will save up this winter and scrimp on pricey buys, and why not when there are plenty of alternatives to wallet-hemorrhaging purchases at expensive boutiques, labels and multi-brands. 

National handicrafts

Pakistan is renowned for exquisite handicrafts and textiles; our locally produced fabrics and embroideries remain unmatched elsewhere. In Islamabad, stores like Maharaja, Pakistan Crafts Gallery and Thread View Gallery are attracting both the budget and fashion conscious. The cost of a decent, durable Pashmina shawl and cashmere sweater is, at best, forgiving; these range from Rs1,000 and up. Also, clever haggling results in further discounts — this is never an option at glitzy boutiques and fashion houses where buying a jacket, pullover or patterned shawl can cut one’s salary in half.

Crazy for cashmere

This is coveted abroad. I’d always cringe inwardly when friends at college would turn up wearing something I could’ve bought in Islamabad for a fourth of the price. “It’s 100 per cent cashmere,” they’d say after dishing out a whopping $100 for the sort of sad-looking vest that would make so many desi aunties blanch in horror. One of the first thing newbies to Pakistan realise is the ready availability of inexpensive material. In Islamabad, there’s almost always a token foreigner trolling textile stores, pawing at fuzzy ponchos and cashmere throws.

“Foreigners really like our Kashmiri ponchos,” explains Sawan Kumar, who’s been working at Thread View Gallery for eight years. A decent poncho can go a long way: it keeps you warm, looks groovy and acts as a fashionable disguise, letting you wear whatever you want underneath (perfect if one wants to recycle old, moth-eaten sweaters or shirts).

At stores like Threat View, cashmere pullovers are also an extremely popular buy. Unisex, affordable and high quality, these come in simple block, solid colours: black, maroon, beige, and green. Depending on the size and variety, the cashmere pullover can incur a reasonable Rs2,500-4,500 for good, plush material that won’t wash out or spoil. This is a winter must-have.

Pashmina patrol

Customers are spoiled for choice when it comes to Pashmina scarves and shawls. Kumar mentions that this season neutrals and pinks are all the rage. Tasteful Kashmiri embroideries also make the cut (Rs500 and up, they won’t slash your wallet either). Pakistan Crafts Gallery stocks a decent range of shawls for men from Swat, predominately in beige. The only downside is the rough, pure wool — a little scratchy but ideal for a dark kameez or sherwani.

It’s almost expected that men’s textiles look a little rough; our guys have no business sporting super fine, luxuriant shawls.

“For shawls the pattern and size really depends on individual taste,” says salesperson Habib Kumal. “Desis like big shawls and foreigners get smaller sizes,” he adds. According to Kumal, the Kashmiri paisley design is currently a hot buy. Again, the price may have something to do with the deluge of purchasing: Rs1,000 and up.

But why should adults have all the fun? There’s plenty of textile to go around, especially for kids. Darling scarves from Multan with polar bears are a winter must-have for tots. Parents shouldn’t underestimate the value of finding interesting ways to doll up their kids. It makes them a great deal more tolerable (who wants frumpy children anyway?).  Build sartorial habits early!

Published in The Express Tribune, October 24^th, 2011.