Advice for buying a kirta? - YouLookFab Forum

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Advice for buying a kirta?

christieanne

Veteran

I am hunting for a tunic to wear for summer and it occurred to me after seeing so many inspiring pictures from Manipeda and Sona and Sunita and other fabulous YLF ladies that maybe a kirta is the way to go.

Since I live in Berkeley and there are about a dozen Indian clothing shops on University Ave, it shouldn't be hard to find one. But I could use preemptive advice - many of the shops have beautiful saris displayed in windows. Would a kirta be found in same shop that sells saris or are there variations on shops? I don't want fancy - something lightweight maybe in cotton for desert wear.
Also, should I expect sizes to be similar to US sizes?

Does this seem worth exploring? I have only been in one shop previously and purchased a gorgeous silk scarf but that was pretty simple.

I do have a good friend from Sri Lanka who lives locally and I know her friends often wear a long tunic with pants so she might have some local shop suggestions.

Shopping

16 replies

Latest reply was from ManidipaM

Kirti

(website)

Veteran

Yup an Indian shop that has saris should have kurtas as well. Make sure you check out different lengths, kurtis are short and like tops while kurtas refer to longer tunics. I am sure you will be able to find cotton ones

christieanne

Veteran

Oh - so your nickname is from your petite stature? I get it now

Thanks for that tip!!

ManidipaM

Veteran

Well, you may or may not find kurtas at the same shops as sarees. But check what's in the windows, first, perhaps? Some shops use bling as their window dressing to attract customers --- ever so easy to do with Indian garments --- but make sure it's not ALL tinsel and rhinestones, because chances of finding things in plainer cotton would be unlikely then. If it's got shimmery silks and brocades instead, you have a better chance.

Apart from Indian and Sri Lankan, it's also worth looking out for stores catering to Pakistani diaspora --- they styles are subtly different from Indian and Sri Lankan, but more on the bottom than the top.

Sizing systems *can* vary, but S/M/L/XL is pretty commonly used. The problem is one brand's Small can be another's Large --- I'm not kidding either! There is no help but to try it on, therefore --- though it might be easier to get free or pretty economical in-store alterations, so do ask. This is typically offered for Indian garments.

Meanwhile, here's a few websites that you can look at too, which should deliver where you live:
http://indianhanger.com/
http://www.fabulloso.com/
http://www.fabindia.com/
Not just to shop from, but so you can identify the styles you'd be more interested in, and maybe bring a printout to the shops. Since getting clothes tailored is so normative for Indians, it is quite possible that a sari shop might also offer relatively cheap custom tailoring where you choose the fabric and they have it made up in one of a few standard templates.

This is exciting, Christieanne! Look forward to seeing what you turn up!

Kirti

(website)

Veteran

Ha ha no actually kirti means fame my parents wanted to name me that, but the priest at my naming ceremony said a name starting with 'A' would be more auspicious. So kirti us my nickname and my (totally unrelated) name is Aparajita!

Totally pointless story apart, I like Manidipa's ideas of asking around for custom tailoring! I find most standard issue kurtas pretty shapeless and 99% of mine are custom made or altered to fit.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I'm excited about your kirta, Christieanne

I love that Kirti and Manidipa can give you authentic guidance on this.

Kirti

(website)

Veteran

Angie, I am really enjoying it too. Isn't it great how global YLF is? All thanks to you and Greg

christieanne

Veteran

That's what made me think of this - I love all things India (from the obviously skewed sources I have such as Bollywood although I try to find more serious movies too) and have the resources both here and in town. Will get cracking on this some time this week.
Thanks for the input - I will share my discoveries along the way.

ManidipaM

Veteran

With apologies for derailing, 'Aparajita' is such a lovely name, Kirti --- both the goddess and the flower have such joyous connotations, as well as the literal meaning!

catgirl

Veteran

Absolutely you can find one and wear it! I just saw a really nice one in the National Geographic catalog of all places:

http://shop.nationalgeographic.....urst-tunic

catgirl

Veteran

Also, depending on what size you are, I have a gazillion of these lying around that my mom brings for me to give as gifts. If you'd like one I'm happy to send you one to try as a trial run.

ManidipaM

Veteran

Whoa! NatGeo does India via Orla Kiely. I'd so wear that! Even though they're colours I'm leery of. Who'da thunk? Thanks, Una!

catgirl

Veteran

You are right! Totally Orla Kiely! I love it even though they aren't my colors either. And the price isn't bad for an American catalog.

fashionista

Veteran

Christeanne, maybe the pictures could help you. They are Kurtis worn with leggings and matching salwars sometimes. You could go for custom fitting or tailoring for more structured and feminine version. Most ready-made kurtis are way too big and voluminous.
And yes size do vary. Also most saree shops do sell kurtis and kurta salwars. Do look for mixed material as pure cotton do tend to shrink.
Picture no 6 is me wearing a kurti with black leggings at Deepawali (festival of lights)

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christieanne

Veteran

Thanks for the pictures! I am pretty busty and apple at this point but I do see all shapes and sizes of women in my area wearing kirta/kirti so I assume at least some buy them around here. Thanks Una for the generous offer but I know I need a much bigger size than tiny you.
I think generous sizing is fine - it can always be taken in (I have a fab tailor if shop does not do alterations). I love the pictures Fashionista! Manidepa explained Deepawali to us at YLF recently and it sounds like an amazing festival. I can't remember who was wearing a shorter kirti (Manidepa?) recently that was the prettiest, simple floral with a little contrast in colors at the neckline that was so appealing to me. I like the bolder colors in yours too!

One of the GREAT benefits and pleasures of living in the SF Bay Area is the people who have gathered here from all over the world. We can get nearly anything if we look around.

If one of the University Ave shops doesn't have something I like, I can head easily towards Silicon Valley - in Milpitas there are entire mini malls of Indian and Pakistani shops. Quite a fun place to eat and visit.

christieanne

Veteran

I just remembered that I am supposed to start the $5 a week challenge - I am officially declaring this as not included in that challenge since we started the process before it commenced lol. Maybe it could be my Mother's Day gift.

ManidipaM

Veteran

I think that might be Sona's kurti, with the contrast neckline --- wonder where she buys hers?