Fabric, sizing, care, shipping and returns — the questions we actually get asked.
Fabric
What is the difference between silk cotton and tussar silk?
Silk cotton is a blend — silk's sheen with cotton's breathability. It is the everyday choice: it breathes in the heat, pleats cleanly and washes at home once it has settled. Tussar silk has a coarser, more textured hand and a deeper natural lustre; our tussar-finish tissue drapes are the festive end of the collection.
Is jute fabric comfortable to wear?
Yes, but it feels different. Jute-cotton blends are dry to the touch with a natural slub, and they hold their structure rather than clinging. If you like a drape that stands away from you slightly, jute suits you. If you want fluid and soft, choose silk cotton.
Will the colour run?
Follow the care instructions on the product page and it should not. Wash separately in cold water for the first three washes regardless of fabric, and dry in shade — direct sun is what fades a saree, more than washing does.
Are the prints handmade?
Our tissue and tussar drapes carry digital prints, which is why the watercolour washes are so fine. Borders on the cotton and silk cotton pieces are woven, not printed. Each product page says which.
Sizing
What length is a saree?
Ours are 5.5 m of saree plus a 0.80 m unstitched blouse piece attached at the end, at a width of 1.06 m (42 inches). That is standard for South India and suits most heights without shortening.
Do I need a longer saree if I am tall?
Over about 5 feet 8 inches, or if you pleat deeply, look for 6.3 m lengths. Message us before ordering and we will tell you honestly whether a piece will work for you.
Is the blouse stitched?
No. The blouse piece is unstitched and attached to the saree. Take it to your tailor with the measurements from our size guide.
Care
Can I machine wash?
Not for the first wash, and not at all for anything with zari. Dry clean the first time for silk, silk cotton, tussar and jute. Pure cotton can be hand washed from the start.
How do I store a zari saree?
Fold it along different lines every few months so the creases do not set into the zari, and keep it in cotton cloth rather than plastic. Plastic traps moisture and dulls the metal thread.
Ordering and shipping
Where do you ship?
Across India. Shipping is free on orders over Rs.1,999.
How long does delivery take?
Typically 3–7 working days depending on the pin code. You will get a tracking link by email and WhatsApp when the parcel leaves us.
Can I see the actual piece before I buy?
Yes, and we would encourage it for the more expensive drapes. Message +91 92837 78899 on WhatsApp with the product name and we will send photographs and video of the exact length in stock.
Do you take orders on WhatsApp?
We are happy to answer questions and hold a piece for you there, but we ask you to complete the order through the website so that you have an invoice, a tracking number and a clear returns record.
Returns
What if it is not what I expected?
Full details are on our shipping and returns page. In short: tell us within 7 days of delivery, keep the piece unused with its tags on, and we will arrange the return.
My saree arrived with a flaw. What now?
Photograph it and send it to us on WhatsApp or email the same day. Genuine defects are replaced or refunded in full, including return shipping. Slub, minor irregularity in a woven border, and small colour variation between screen and daylight are characteristics of the cloth rather than defects — we describe them honestly on every product page so there are no surprises.
Still stuck? Email slmboutique.erode@gmail.com or WhatsApp +91 92837 78899.