Grey and Rust Temple Border Kanchi Cotton Saree

Dry clean the first wash. After that, a gentle cold hand wash, on its own.

• First wash: dry clean. This sets the colour before the saree meets water at home. Tell the cleaner the body and border both carry zari
• After that: hand wash in cold water with a mild detergent, washed on its own. Deep cotton colours can release a little dye over the first few washes
• Do not soak, scrub, wring or machine wash
• Dry flat or on a line in shade, never in direct sun — sunlight dulls both the colour and the zari
• Iron on a medium cotton setting from the reverse, with a cloth over the border. Never run the iron directly across the zari or the buttas
• Store folded in breathable cotton or muslin in a dry cupboard. Zari dulls in humidity
• Refold along different lines every few months so the same creases don't stay under stress
• Apply perfume and hairspray before draping, never on the saree

A cotton saree is meant to be worn often. This is care, not fragility.

This saree is woven by hand on a loom, so no two pieces are identical. The following are marks of handloom weaving, not defects:

• Small slubs or thickenings in the fabric, where the cotton thread varies naturally
• Minor irregularity in the spacing or size of the buttas across the body
• Slight variation in the spacing of the temple points along the border
• Occasional loose threads on the reverse, where the zari is carried across between buttas

Colour Representation

We photograph every saree under neutral lighting to represent its tone as accurately as possible. However, slight variations may occur due to:

• Lighting conditions
• Fabric texture and weave
• Screen or device settings

For example, a grey woven from two thread colours shifts more than most — it can read cooler and closer to slate in daylight, and warmer indoors. The rust border reads brighter in sunlight than it does under a lamp.

If you would like more clarity, we are happy to assist with:

• Additional close-up photos
• A personalised video call appointment

These characteristics are inherent to handloom weaving and are not considered defects — they are what make each Ayraa saree truly one of a kind.

Blouse: The running blouse comes in the same grey as the body with the same zari border, so the matching blouse is already taken care of. If you want contrast instead, this saree gives you three ready answers from its own border: rust for the warmest, black for the sharpest, and antique gold for the most festive.

Stitching the blouse: Tell your tailor before cutting if you want the border along the sleeve hems, the neckline or the back yoke. The temple points look best used whole rather than cut through, so plan the placement before anything is cut.

Jewellery: Grey is one of the easiest bases there is — it carries both metals. Temple gold or antique gold picks up the zari in the buttas and the border; oxidised silver reads more everyday; pearls keep it soft for a daytime function.

Drape: Pleat it the usual way, with the pallu over your left shoulder. Cotton holds a sharp pleat, so it stays neat through a long day, and the black temple points read clearly along the pleat edge.

Wear it to: office and work days, temple visits and Friday puja, Navaratri, daytime family functions, and as an everyday festive saree.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this saree pure cotton?

Yes. It is 100% pure handwoven cotton — body, border and pallu.

Does it come with a blouse?

Yes. It comes with a running blouse piece in the same grey as the saree body, carrying the same zari border. It comes unstitched, so it can be tailored to your measurements. The saree is about 5.4 metres with a 0.8 metre blouse piece, about 6.2 metres in total.

Is the border silk?

No. The border is cotton, woven in the Kanchipuram style with zari.

Can I wear this every day?

Yes. Handwoven cotton is breathable and holds its pleats, which makes it comfortable for office days and long wear. Grey is one of the easiest colours to repeat without it being noticed, and the zari buttas and rust border keep it dressed enough for temple visits and family functions.

Can I wash this saree at home?

Yes, after the first wash. Dry clean it the first time to set the colour, then hand wash it in cold water with a mild detergent, on its own. Dry it in shade and store it folded in cotton or muslin so the zari stays bright.