There's a reason Banarasi sarees have never gone out of style. The craft comes from Varanasi — one of India's oldest living cities and the sarees it produces carry that history in every thread. But here's what most people don't realise "Banarasi" isn't just one thing. It's a whole family of sarees, each woven on different base fabrics, each with its own character and occasion fit.
At Cotlin, the Banarasi collection covers five distinct varieties. Here's what makes each one worth knowing.
Banarasi Handloom Sarees
Woven entirely by hand on pit looms the same way they've been made for generations in Banaras. The weave of Banarasi handloom sarees carries a warmth and texture that machine-made fabric simply cannot replicate. That slight human irregularity in the weave isn't a flaw — it's the proof of craft. Best for weddings, pujas, and occasions where what you wear carries meaning beyond just how it looks.
Banarasi Khaddi Chiffon Saree
The most unexpected entry in the Banarasi family. Banarasi Khaddi Chiffon saree breaks the usual expectation — it's sheer, airy, and feather-light, with delicate zari motifs sitting on the base like they're barely there. It looks fully festive but wears like it weighs nothing. Ideal for women who love the Banarasi aesthetic but find heavier silks difficult to carry through long events.
Banarasi Kora Silk Saree
Banarasi Kora Silk saree has a natural stiffness and crispness to it that makes a saree drape with real authority. Pleats stay put, the pallav falls exactly where you place it, and the rich zari borders contrast beautifully against the slightly matte, raw base. A saree that looks as composed at the end of the evening as it did at the beginning.
Banarasi Katan Silk Saree
Banarasi Katan Silk saree is the most premium base fabric in the Banarasi world tightly woven, smooth, and weighted in a way that creates slow, luxurious folds when draped. The zari work on it looks more vivid because the base reflects light so well. This isn't an everyday purchase. It's an investment piece — the kind that lasts long enough to pass on.
Banarasi Tissue Silk Saree
Tissue Silk is woven with metallic threads running through the base itself, giving the entire Tissue silk saree a luminous quality from within. Not the shimmer of embellishments — something more subtle and inherent. In natural light it's quietly beautiful; under evening lighting it's genuinely striking. One of the most photogenic sarees in the Banarasi family.
Which One Is Right for You?
For authentic craft, Handloom. For all-day comfort, Khaddi Chiffon. For a structured, formal look, Kora Silk. For a saree you'll keep for decades, Katan Silk. For evening occasions where you want to make an impression, Tissue Silk.
Every woman finds herself drawn to a different one. That's what makes the Banarasi family so enduring — there's always a version that feels made for you.
Explore the full Banarasi collection at thecotlin.com
