Black Mirror Work Cotton Suit

Black Mirror Work Cotton Suit

This is a black cotton suit with mirror work on the shirt, supplied as a 3-piece set with a printed cotton dupatta and a printed cotton bottom. It needs no lining, can be hand washed at home, and is stitchable to your own measurement up to size 5XL. It is part of our Rozana collection — the everyday range.

What you receive

• Shirt — plain cotton with mirror work, 2.25 m (gives a length up to 45")
• Bottom — printed cotton, 2.25 m
• Dupatta — printed cotton, 2.25 m
• 3-piece unstitched set, 6.75 metres in total

Mirror work on an everyday suit

Mirror work — shisha in Hindi, abhla in Gujarati — is the craft of stitching small mirrors onto fabric, each held by a ring of thread worked around its edge, since a mirror cannot be sewn through. It comes from Gujarat, Rajasthan and Sindh, where the mirrors were believed to deflect the evil eye by reflecting it back.

You will almost always find it on organza or georgette, on a festive piece meant for one evening. Putting it on breathable cotton at this price does something different: it makes the craft wearable on an ordinary day. The mirrors catch light as you move whether you are at a function or picking up the shopping.

Plain shirt, printed dupatta

This set is built the opposite way round from most. Usually the shirt carries the print and the dupatta is plain; here the shirt is plain black with the mirror work, and the print sits on the dupatta and bottom.

That arrangement gives the mirrors a clear ground to sit against — on a busy printed shirt they would compete with the pattern and lose. It also means the shirt works on its own with any plain dupatta you already own, which effectively gives you two outfits from one set.

No lining needed

All three pieces are cotton, and the fabric is opaque enough to be stitched without a lining. That saves you buying extra fabric and paying your tailor to attach it, and keeps a layer of heat off you in summer.

Hand washable at home

This suit does not need dry cleaning. Hand wash it in cold water with a mild detergent — but take a little more care than you would with a plain cotton suit. Do not scrub or wring the shirt: the mirrors are held by thread, and rubbing or twisting is what loosens them. Press the water out gently and dry in shade.

Where it fits in your week

An office day, errands, a family lunch, a Gurudwara Sahib visit, a kitty party, an evening out. Black carries into the evening more easily than most everyday colours, and the mirror work means it does not look plain when it needs to look like you made an effort. Stitch the shirt as a straight-cut with palazzo for the easiest shape, or as an A-line with churidar for something more traditional.

Stitching this suit

The suit is supplied unstitched, so the neckline, sleeve length and fit are yours to decide. It can be stitched up to size 5XL, and the shirt piece gives a length up to 45 inches. Tell your tailor there is mirror work before cutting — seams need to be placed around the mirrors rather than through them. StudioJazz offers a stitching service; share what you have in mind and we will discuss it with you. Unstitched orders are dispatched within 48 working hours; stitched orders take 7 to 15 working days depending on the work involved.

Care

Hand wash only, in cold water with a mild detergent. Do not scrub or wring the shirt — the mirrors are held by thread and rubbing loosens them. Dry in shade rather than direct sunlight, and never iron directly over the mirrors, as heat can craze the glass and melt the thread holding it. Wash separately the first time, as a dark cotton can release a little dye initially.

Shipping

Dispatched within 48 working hours of order confirmation and delivered across India in 3 to 7 business days. Free shipping on orders above Rs. 1,500 — this set qualifies. StudioJazz has shipped to 13 countries; international shipping is available on request.

A note on colour and work

Natural variation in colour, print placement and the placement of the mirrors is characteristic of this kind of work and is not a defect. Mirrors photograph differently depending on the light, so the piece will look different in hand than on screen.

Frequently asked questions

What is mirror work?

Mirror work — shisha or abhla — is the craft of stitching small mirrors onto fabric, each held by a ring of thread worked around its edge. It comes from Gujarat, Rajasthan and Sindh.

Where is the mirror work on this set?

On the shirt, which is plain black. The dupatta and bottom carry a print instead.

Can I really hand wash a suit with mirror work?

Yes, with care. Hand wash in cold water with a mild detergent, and do not scrub or wring the shirt — the mirrors are held by thread, and rubbing or twisting is what loosens them. Press the water out gently.

Does this suit need a lining?

No. All three pieces are cotton and the fabric is opaque enough to stitch without one.

What fabric is it?

Cotton — shirt, bottom and dupatta.

What's included and how much fabric?

Three pieces of 2.25 metres each — shirt, bottom and dupatta — 6.75 metres in total. The shirt piece gives a length up to 45 inches.

What should I tell my tailor?

That the shirt carries mirror work. Seams need to be placed around the mirrors rather than through them, so it is worth planning the cut first.

Is this suitable for summer?

Yes. It is cotton and needs no lining, both of which keep it cool through a long day.

Will the black fade?

Sun fades black faster than most colours. Dry and store in shade, and wash separately the first time as dark cotton can release a little dye initially.

Is this a festive suit or an everyday one?

Everyday — part of our Rozana collection. The mirror work means it still looks like you made an effort when you need it to.

Can this be stitched to my size?

It can be stitched up to size 5XL, and the neckline, sleeve length and fit are yours to choose.

Do you stitch it, and what does that cost?

Yes, StudioJazz offers stitching. Charges depend on the design and the amount of work involved — message us and we will confirm the cost before you proceed.

Do you ship internationally?

StudioJazz has shipped to 13 countries. International shipping is available on request — message us with your location before ordering.