Buying Guide · 6 min read
Cotton Fabric Online: How to Choose the Right Cotton
Cotton is the fabric most of India lives in - and the one most often bought blind. If you are shopping for cotton fabric online, the weave matters more than the word 'cotton' on the label. Here is how the main cottons differ, and which one to pick for what.
The cottons you will actually see online
Mulmul (mul cotton)
The softest, lightest cotton we stock - almost airy. Mulmul takes print and embroidery beautifully and drapes like a dream in summer. It is semi-sheer, so plan a lining for structured garments.
Cotton satin
A smooth, lightly lustrous cotton with a subtle sheen on the face. It holds shape better than mulmul, resists creasing, and works for both everyday and occasion wear.
2-ply khadi
Handspun and handwoven, with the texture and irregularity that only khadi has. It breathes exceptionally well and softens with every wash. Expect a slightly rustic surface - that is the point.
Cotton-silk blends
Chanderi and similar unions mix cotton's matte body with silk's sheen and strength. They photograph beautifully and hold embroidery without sagging.
What to check before you buy
Look for the width and the approximate weight in the listing. Light cottons for summer are usually 44 inches wide; heavier suitings come wider. Ask yourself whether the fabric is sheer, because that decides whether you need lining.
Read the care note. Most cottons take a gentle machine wash, but handloom khadi and dark prints are safer washed cold and dried in shade.
Buying cotton fabric online for Indian weather
For peak summer, mulmul and fine cotton voiles are unbeatable - they wick and breathe. For monsoon, cotton satin and chanderi dry faster and hold their shape when damp. For winter functions, a cotton-silk or a heavier khadi carries embroidery and structure better than a light cotton.
If you are new to a weave, order a metre first. Cotton fabric online is cheap to sample, and a metre is enough to feel the drape, check the colour in daylight, and test how it creases in your hand.
Where to buy cotton fabric online
Saroj Ensemble stocks mulmul, cotton satin and handloom khadi by the metre, dispatched across India - and the same rolls are on the shelves at our five Mumbai fabric stores. Whether you buy cotton fabric online or visit us in person, you are choosing from the same collection.