When it comes to picking out the clothing that brings us joy and connects us to our communities, we want to make sure we also know how to maintain it. Proper care and cleaning is the most sustainable way to preserve the pieces we love best and to keep them in the wardrobe for a long time to come.
That’s where Lashkaraa can help. When it comes to clothing that reminds you of home, no matter how far away you travel, we have you covered. Not only do we provide traditionally inspired clothing for the whole family, but we also share all the tips and tricks you need to keep that clothing in the best possible shape for as long as you can.
Take a look at the classic sherwani and best care practices:
What Is a Sherwani?
A sherwani is a classic piece of outerwear typically worn by South Asian men. The style has evolved and changed significantly over the years, which means there are very many different versatile styles and designs to pick from when it comes to your sherwani.
You can find ones with collars or without collars, or even with a stand-up type of collar. They typically fall to around the knees, with a row of buttons down the front of the garment. The piece has some fitting at the waist, and it is often worn for special occasions, like weddings and the celebration of holidays.
Sherwanis can be matched with many different bottoms and are available with a range of embellishments, beadwork, and threadwork. Express your personal style and preferences with a unique and personalized sherwani for the next important event in your life.
Tips for Caring for Your Sherwani
Because sherwanis are often used for meaningful events, you want to make sure your sherwani is in the best possible shape for as long as you’re able. This can also be tricky, given that there is often beading or threadwork that needs extra care.
Here are some tips for caring for your sherwani:
Spot Clean First
The best way to preserve your sherwani and keep it from becoming damaged in the wash is to spot clean stains first. There are many low-impact at-home solutions for stain removal that will only target the specific area without aggressive machine washing.
Find or make the best cleaning solutions for your spot cleaning needs. Then, protect the rest of your garment with a simple spot clean.
Pack in Muslin Cloth
You want to consider how and where you’ll be storing your sherwani for maximum protection and care. One of the best ways to prevent wrinkles in the fabric is by wrapping the sherwani in muslin, which is a gentle fabric. You’ll be able to protect your garment from outside influences and potentially damaging factors and keep it well-pressed until it’s time for the next use.
Consider the Fabric
Sherwanis can be made out of many different types of fabrics, particularly depending on what time of year you attend the wedding. Your sherwani may be made of silk, cotton, wool, or another fabric that requires its own special care and instructions.
When storing, cleaning, and caring for your sherwani, you want to make sure you’re following the best guidelines for that specific fabric. This will help to ensure the fabric remains in the best possible condition for longer, so you’ll be able to wear it again for the next celebration.
The last thing anyone wants is to pull their favorite outfit from a garment bag and find it riddled with stains or moth holes, leaving you with nothing to wear before a big event.
Iron On the “Wrong Side” of the Fabric
When ironing your sherwani, or any garment with a decorative and fragile exterior, you want to ensure that you’re ironing on the wrong side. This means flipping the piece inside out or upside down so that the hot iron doesn’t come into direct contact with the delicate materials.
Even when ironing on the opposite side of the fabric, you still want to place a heat-protecting material between the iron and the sherwani. This will protect it from excess heat exposure while still ensuring crisp, fine lines and an absence of wrinkles.
Test the Metal
Sherwanis are recognizable by the long line of buttons down the front, and they may often have other embellishments or elements of décor made of metal. When washing or caring for your sherwani, test the cleaning supplies on a small patch of the metal detailing first.
Give the solution time to settle onto the surface and see how the metal responds. By testing out unknown or new solutions first, you can avoid using chemicals that might tarnish or damage the metal’s surface or cause it to wear down more quickly. A few minutes of experimenting can make a big difference when it comes to the condition of your sherwani.
Store in Plastic
Another way to protect the metal on your sherwani is by storing it in a plastic garment bag. Plastic storage helps to shield the metal from the oxygen molecules in the air that cause oxidation and wear down at the surface of different metals.
Plastic storage also helps to protect your sherwani from pests and insects, which means you don’t need to worry about finding your favorite outfit eaten before the next big occasion. Make sure you seal your plastic bag tight for maximum efficiency.
Never store your outfit in the plastic film the dry cleaner leaves on your clothes.
Make Sure It’s Dry Before Storage
When storing your sherwani in a plastic bag, you want to check that it’s completely dry before you pack it away. Dark spaces with damp materials, like wet fabric, are the perfect breeding ground for mold, which can be difficult, if not impossible, to remove from clothing.
Since you want to avoid putting your sherwani in the dryer, as this can cause the garment to shrink or lose its shape, consider letting it dry in the sun. Once you’re sure it’s dry and protected from mold, wrap it away.
Refold Regularly
While you can always iron your sherwani, one good way to protect it from wrinkles and damage is by refolding it regularly. Refolding your sherwani means it doesn’t sit in one position or direction for too long, so the wrinkles don’t have time to set. That means you’ll have to apply less heat to the fabric for the next use.
Another benefit of refolding your sherwani regularly is that you’ll be able to check on its condition. If you notice the bag is damaged, there are signs of mold or evidence of pests, you can take action much sooner than you would otherwise be able to, which means it’s possible to save your favorite piece.
Remove Ribbons and Adornments
Before packing your sherwani away, it’s a good idea to remove any ribbons or adornments that can be taken off the garment. Storing garments without their ribbons or laces can reduce the pressure on the piece's structure, which can help extend its life. This also helps to prevent tugging or pulling that might cause damage.
You can store the ribbons and tassels in a safe location or keep them with the garment so that you know where they are the next time you need them.
Follow Dry Clean Instructions
If the time comes when you do need to get your sherwani cleaned, and you can’t spot clean it, follow the washing instructions to the letter. Typically, sherwanis should be dry cleaned.
If you decide to use a dry clean at-home kit, be very careful and consider all the possible risks. Review the cleaning instructions slowly to ensure it gets the most gentle and effective clean possible.
Take Care
The more we care for our special occasion outfits and garments, the longer they’ll last. And few pieces are more treasured than the sherwani, which is used for weddings and festivals. You can keep your sherwani in excellent shape with a few simple steps, like drying it before storage, storing it in plastic, spot cleaning when possible, and making sure the cleaning solution won’t cause any lasting damage.
And, of course, you always want to make sure you check the cleaning instructions on your sherwani before you bring it down to the dryer cleaners.
Here at Lashkaraa, you’ll find a lovely lineup of sherwanis for different occasions and the best guides and information on caring for your favorite pieces. We’re the lifestyle team you can rely on for clothing that represents home and community, and we’re excited to share all we know about measuring, designing, and cleaning your pieces.
Begin the search for the perfect sherwani for the next special occasion right here at Lashkaraa, and keep it in great shape for many more celebrations to come with the support of our team.
Sources:
How To Wash Clothes With Sequins, Beads or Accents | The Spruce