Jamdani Handloom Wan Chai Dress in Brown

An airy, comfortable dress with a flattering silhouette. The tiny waist-seam pocket was just the size for my Oyster Card. Wan Chai has a loose fit, though it’s not as oversized as many of our other styles. Size down for a closer fit.

• Wide-cut body with relaxed silhouette
• Boat-neckline
• Side seam pockets & a cute little pocket in waist-seam for your treasured, tiny things
• Lightly gathered skirt
• Midi length
• Crafted from hand woven, super light weight cotton, featuring delicate extra-weft jamdani motifs and checks 

SIZE & FIT

• SM
  • Length 45”
  • Chest 43” round
  • Cross-back 23”
  • Sleeve length 5" 
  • Armhole 16” round & sleeve opening 14” round
• ML
  • Length 47”
  • Chest 47” round
  • Cross-back 25”
  • Sleeve length 5.5” 
  • Armhole 17” round & sleeve opening 15” round

+/- a tolerance inherent to hand made clothing

TEXTILE & CARE

• Fabric: 100% cotton
• Handfeel: Lightweight, ultra soft, very slightly sheer
• Care: Gentle hand wash separately in cold water. Do not soak. Gentle steam iron. Drip dry flat in the shade. 
• Origin: West Bengal, India

TEXTILE STORY

Jamdani is the best known of several extra-weft embroidery techniques practiced in India; an intriguing process - part embroidery, part weave. The highly skilled weaver adds, by hand, additional weft threads to the weave with a small bamboo stick, while the threads are on the loom & in the process of weaving.

Originating in Bengal around the 5th century & initially known as Dhakai after the city of Dhaka, this art form reached its zenith under patronage from the Mughul rulers of India in the 16th & 17th centuries. It became known as jamdani, probably originating from the Persian for “vase of flowers” due to its extensive use of floral motifs. Because of the skill & time required to create it, jamdani was worn only by the rich who could afford to invest in such a beautiful cloth.

We partner with a Bengali Weaver’s Society to craft jamdani which blends heritage designs with a contemporary aesthetic. Any variations or irregularities are to be celebrated. They are part of the design & inherent to the handcrafted production process, making this item beautifully unique.