First-Time Buyer's Guide to Unstitched Suits

If you have never bought an unstitched suit before, the process can seem opaque. What exactly are you buying? What do you do with it? How much does tailoring cost? This complete guide answers every question you would ask but might not know how to phrase.

What is an unstitched suit?

An unstitched suit is a 3-piece set of fabric — shirt material, bottom material, and dupatta — that is sold as raw fabric ready for a tailor to stitch into a finished suit. You buy the fabric coordinated; you take it to a tailor; the tailor makes it into a kurta, salwar/churidar/palazzo, and you wear the dupatta as-is.

What's in the package

A standard unstitched suit includes:

• Shirt fabric (kurta material): About 2.5 meters. Often has embroidery, prints, or work on the front panel.
• Bottom fabric: About 2.0-2.5 meters. Plain matching fabric.
• Dupatta: About 2.0-2.5 meters. Often has matching or contrasting embroidery.

Some sets include lining material for the kurta separately. Premium sets sometimes include additional matching trim or buttons.

Why buy unstitched vs ready-to-wear?

• Custom fit: The whole point. Unstitched lets you tailor exactly to your measurements.
• Custom design: Choose your own neckline, sleeve length, kurta length, bottom style.
• Better fabric quality: Premium fabrics are usually unstitched.
• Cheaper at premium tier: Custom-fit ready-to-wear in premium fabrics costs much more than buying unstitched and tailoring.

The tailoring process — what to expect

• Step 1: Find a tailor. Most cities have ethnic wear tailors. Ask for recommendations.
• Step 2: Measurements. Bust, waist, hip, sleeve length, kurta length, salwar/palazzo length. Tailor will take 10-15 measurements.
• Step 3: Design discussion. Choose neckline (round, V, square, boat), sleeve length, kurta length (knee, mid-thigh, ankle), and bottom style (churidar, salwar, palazzo).
• Step 4: Fabric review. Tailor confirms fabric is sufficient for chosen design.
• Step 5: First fitting. Usually 7-10 days after dropoff. Tailor shows you the partially-made piece for fit adjustments.
• Step 6: Final delivery. Usually 14-21 days from dropoff.

How much does tailoring cost?

Tailoring costs vary by city and tailor reputation. As a general guide in India:

• Basic kurta + salwar + dupatta: The standard service.
• Anarkali tailoring: Premium pricing.
• Complex designs (kalidar, gored, lined): Higher pricing.
• Adding linings: Adds to the total.

For first-time buyers, plan for tailoring as roughly 10-30% of the fabric cost.

Choosing the right fabric for your first suit

If you are new to ethnic wear in general

Start with cotton or Mul Chanderi. Both are:

• Easy to tailor (any tailor can handle them).
• Easy to wash and maintain.
• Comfortable to wear.
• Affordable.
• Versatile across occasions.

If you have a specific occasion

• Office wear: Cotton, Mul Chanderi, silk cotton, linen.
• Daytime functions: Mul Chanderi, organza, light shimmer silk.
• Evening functions: Pure silk, shimmer silk, Banarasi.
• Wedding guest: Pure silk, Banarasi, organza with zari.
• Karva Chauth/Diwali: Pure silk, shimmer silk, Banarasi.

The 5 most common first-time mistakes

• Buying for fantasy, not reality. A heavy Banarasi looks beautiful in photos but you may rarely have occasions to wear it. Start with versatile fabrics.
• Skipping the fitting. Always do the first fitting. Ill-fitting suits cannot be saved.
• Wrong tailor for the fabric. Premium silk needs an experienced tailor. Find one who specializes.
• No lining for sheer fabric. Organza, muslin, and some chanderis need lining. Confirm with the tailor before stitching.
• Wrong neckline. Necklines define the personality of the kurta. Try 3-4 styles before committing.

Care after tailoring

First wash is critical for setting the dyes:

• Cotton and Muslin: First wash dry clean to set dyes, then gentle hand wash going forward.
• Silk and Banarasi: Dry clean only — always.
• Mul Chanderi: First wash dry clean. Then hand wash with mild detergent in cool water.
• Organza: Dry clean only — water destroys organza's structure.
• Linen: Hand wash or gentle machine in cool water (after first dry clean).

Storage tips

• Store folded in muslin or cotton cloth, not plastic.
• Iron carefully — silk and organza on low heat through a thin cloth.
• Refold every 3-6 months to prevent permanent crease lines.
• Cedar blocks against moths for silk and chanderi.

How to shop unstitched online vs in-store

• Online: Read fabric descriptions carefully. Check measurements. Confirm what is included (shirt + bottom + dupatta is standard, but sometimes lining is separate).
• In-store: Feel the fabric, hold against the light to check opacity, check weight, hold to your face to see how the color suits you.
• Hybrid approach: See the fabric live first, then buy online for variety. This works well for repeat customers.

Returns and quality concerns

• Most online unstitched suits cannot be returned once cut for tailoring. Inspect within the return window first.
• Check the dupatta for damage — it is often the part that arrives with issues.
• Confirm fabric type matches description. Banarasi pure silk should be heavier than Banarasi organza.

Building your first 3 unstitched suits

• Suit 1: Cotton or Mul Chanderi in soft pastel. Daily and office use.
• Suit 2: Pure silk or shimmer silk in jewel tone. Evening and festive use.
• Suit 3: Silk cotton in maroon or burgundy. Versatile across formal and informal festive.

These three pieces will cover 80% of occasions for your first year.

Shopping at RoyalChicByPriti

Browse our most beginner-friendly collections: cotton unstitched, Mul Chanderi, linen unstitched. Every suit ships with coordinated shirt, bottom, and dupatta — ready for your tailor.

Continue: care guide for unstitched suits, Cotton vs Muslin guide.