Winter

Winter fabrics compared: khaddar, karandi, velvet and wool blends

Fabric decides whether a winter suit keeps you warm or only looks seasonal. Use this list to identify what you are looking at, then check the weight and blend on the brand's own page.

• Khaddar: textured cotton with a matte, slightly rough feel. Breathable, easy to stitch and the everyday winter cloth. See khaddar suits.
• Karandi: thicker and heavier, often a cotton or viscose blend with a nubby woven surface. It holds heat and falls with more body. See karandi suits.
• Velvet: a dense pile that catches the light. Warm and dressy, better for events than for a long working day. See velvet suits.
• Wool and fleece blends: the warmest group, found mostly in shawls, sweaters and some suits.
• Linen and jacquard: weights vary by brand, so read the description before you count them as warm. See linen and jacquard.

Fabric names are not regulated, so two karandi suits from different brands can feel quite different. Compare weight, fibre blend and lining (astar) across similar suits before you judge a price.

Unstitched or ready-to-wear: decide by your deadline

Buy unstitched when you have time and want control over the result, and ready-to-wear when you do not.

Unstitched winter suits let you choose fit and sleeve length, and your tailor can add a warmer lining or a higher neckline. Tailors get busy from October until wedding season ends, so book early. Browse unstitched fabrics.

Ready-to-wear arrives stitched in standard sizes, so there is no tailor wait. Heavy fabrics are harder to alter than lawn, so read the brand's size chart and our size guide before ordering. See ready-to-wear for kurtas, co-ords and luxury pret.

When you compare prices, match the piece count: a 3-piece and a 2-piece set are different purchases, and unstitched prices do not include tailoring.

Choosing by city: how much winter do you need?

Pakistan has more than one winter. Karachi stays mild, so a light khaddar suit with a shawl often covers it. Lahore, Faisalabad and much of Punjab have cold, foggy mornings where karandi or a lined khaddar suit works better. Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Peshawar, Quetta and the northern areas get colder weather, so velvet, wool blends and extra layers earn their cost.

Think in layers rather than one very heavy outfit. A medium-weight suit, a warm shawl and a sweater or jacket give you three adjustable layers, and you can take one off in a heated office or car.

Also think about where you will wear it. Office days need breathable fabric that survives frequent washing, while dawat nights can carry heavier, more embellished cloth.

Buying winter suits from abroad

Winters abroad are often colder than the weather these suits were cut for, so plan layers, not just the outfit. Khaddar and karandi suit cool, dry weather. In very cold climates treat the suit as a middle layer under a coat, with thermals underneath.

Shipping, delivery time, duties and returns are set by each brand and differ by country, and SabKapray cannot answer them for you. Check the brand's own shipping page for your country before you order. Prices here are shown in Pakistani rupees only, so expect your bank or card to convert them when you pay, and allow for customs charges.

For step-by-step help, read how to buy Pakistani clothes from abroad and Pakistani brands that ship overseas. Order early, since overseas delivery and alterations can take longer than at home.

Shawls, sweaters and jackets: the layering plan

A good shawl can turn a simple khaddar suit into a complete winter look. Pashmina-style and wool-blend shawls are the warmest, while embroidered and printed shawls add colour to plain outfits. Check the fibre content on the brand's page, because a wool shawl feels very different from an acrylic one and the prices differ accordingly. Compare options in shawls and scarves.

Sweaters and cardigans work over kurtas and shirts. Pick a length that matches your kameez so the hem does not peek out, and a neutral shade such as black, grey, camel or navy so one piece goes with many suits. Jackets and coats suit co-ords and western outfits, and a longer coat covers a full-length shirt without bunching.

If the outfit already has heavy embroidery, keep the layers simple. If the suit is plain, let the shawl carry the colour.

Winter wedding and dawat suits

From November the invitations start, and wedding season decides what many shoppers buy. Velvet suits mehndi, shadi and dawat nights because the pile catches the light and photographs well. It is heavy, so keep the rest of the outfit light: a net or organza dupatta, comfortable sleeves and a fitted trouser.

Check embroidery with care. Dense work on velvet looks rich but adds weight, so make sure the neckline and sleeves will stay comfortable for several hours. Silk, jacquard and embroidered khaddar or karandi are lighter dressy options and work for daytime events too.

For colours, silhouettes and budgets by event, see shadi outfits.

Winter sale timing and how to compare winter prices

Sale timing differs by brand and year, so there is no fixed calendar. A common pattern is markdowns on winter stock as the cold season ends, and some brands run sales around big events. Blessed Friday, expected in late November, is a calendar-derived date, not a brand announcement. To see what is marked down today, open the sale page or the price drops tracker, and read when Pakistani brands run sales for the pattern.

To compare winter prices fairly:

• Match fabric, piece count and whether the suit is unstitched.
• Sort by price inside one brand first, then across brands.
• Use the price pages as shortcuts: under Rs 5,000 and under Rs 10,000.
• Confirm the final price on the brand's own site before you pay.

Waiting for a sale can save money on everyday khaddar and shawls, but a suit for a fixed date should be bought in time.

Caring for velvet, wool and embroidered pieces

Care decides how long a winter suit lasts, and the care label is the final word. These habits help:

• Dry-clean velvet, wool and heavily embellished pieces.
• Hang velvet instead of folding it, and never press an iron directly onto the pile.
• Wash dark khaddar and karandi separately, because dark colours can bleed.
• Store woollens and shawls folded in a dry place with a cotton cover, not a plastic bag.