Dupattas: A blend of craft, comfort and practicality

Today, variations of the all-purpose dupatta are proliferating on city streets as an eye-catching insignia of modern Indians. Forward-thinking designers, too, are championing their versatility, anointing this once-humble wardrobe understudy as the unlikely diva of a seasonless wardrobe.

 PATTERN PLAY

From kaleidoscopic colours to patterns ranging from hyperlocal motifs, chintz, animal prints and quirky designs, they’re eye candy for a new generation. Dupattas, one of the most ubiquitous accessory found throughout the length and breadth of our country—is making a splash. 

At The Burnt Soul, the dupatta in its long, thin and lightweight incarnation, has remained an important part of our repertoire. Unlike popular opinion, we do not think of dupattas as an afterthought. A statement dupatta can make any bland outfit look alive. 

A TIME-TESTED ACCESSORY 

Another reason why the dupatta has always remained so close to our hearts is the rich history that comes along with it. Of course, memories of an older female figure mostly dressed in a dupatta adds a lot of sentimental value to it. This soft fabric can best be memorised billowing gently and falling gently over the shoulders, giving the wearer a unique feminine look. 

However, the dupatta goes back to Indus Valley Civilisation, where women used to be seen wearing a veil around their shoulders on ancient engravings and sculptures. Traditionally, the dupatta evolved into a piece of cloth that was used to cover the head and, and was worn with ghagra choli or salwar kameez. The motive was modesty and also a mark of respect towards the family elders. The age-old practice of ladies covering their heads while going to a place of worship still exists.

REVIVING TRADITIONS 

It is, of course, one of the rare accessories that is inherently Indian and come in several varieties, each with a distinct personality. At The Burnt Soul, we usually stock designer dupattas as an individual entity as opposed to conforming to age-old traditions. The cotton dupattas online or even the ones made in bamboo silk on our web store, for instance, help us in pushing creative boundaries and make the fashion landscape comfortable and practical.  

For us, to buy a dupatta online in today’s age isn’t just an effort to keep up traditions—but is an expression of our new-found freedom with which we choose to present ourselves to the world.