From Lucknow With Love

Weave Me Alone

Located well before the weave of wares that make up Santacruz Market, Lucknowi Chikan - proud, elegant and pricey – is a stark contrast to the chaotic stores that surround it. At this tunic store, you could find the ubiquitous white Lucknowi kurta if you wanted to, but we suggest that you let the cheerful salesman guide you through printed Chanderi kurtas accentuated by jewel-toned embroidery, soft Mangalgiri cottons with metallic thread patterns and crisp voiles with delicate filigree work instead.

His and Hers

The all-white space, plush with sparkly chandeliers and a graceful spiral staircase, can almost rival the beauty of the designs it stocks. We especially love the trendy ikat-print angarkha top with fiery Lucknowi swirls. Also on the racks this season are Indian flower-child kurtas with long puffed sleeves. All in all, the combinations and permutations of prints, fabrics, styles and colours are many, and you can count on being spoilt for choice. If you need a set, they’ll even stitch you matching bottoms.

Men too, can choose from a gamut of colours, but we suggest sticking to the daytime creams, beiges and off-whites, or browsing through blacks, browns and maroons. It’s the perfect place to find a subtle wedding outfit alternative for those looking to give jazzy sherwanis a miss.

Thread Bare

Starting at Rs 1,500 and going up to Rs 10,000 and more, chic here does not come cheap. But Lucknowi Chikan is one of those great finds that you can wrap up tuck away at the back of your mind, and reach for when you’re in the mood to spend your rainy day allowance.

Getting there: Lucknowi Chikan, Reshma Building, 2nd Hasnabad Lane, opposite masjid, Santacruz (W). Call 26492656 / 26490447.