5 ways to recognise an original handloom cotton saree

Handloom cotton sarees have always found a special place in Indian tradition. Known for their exquisite workmanship and timeless elegance, handloom sarees embody the rich cultural heritage and skilled craftsmanship of Indian weavers and are thus prioritised by women. But the demand has also increased the market for fake handloom sarees, and you may be one of the buyers.

To find out whether or not you have an authentic handloom cotton saree this summer, let’s delve into the five key ways to identify an original and capture the true essence of this magnificent sartorial choice.


Check for the weaving

First, note that real handloom cotton sarees have some imperfect weaving. Machine-made sarees usually have a uniform and flawless finish, but handloom sarees come with slight irregularity. These minor imperfections are not defects, but they reflect the authenticity and effort of the human being. So, if you see slight differences in thread alignment and texture, it's a handloom saree.

Always look for the handloom mark

Traditional Indian handloom sarees will always have the Indian government’s handloom mark. It is a certificate of authenticity for handloom products and assures that you’re indeed purchasing a genuine handloom saree. If you don't see a label or tag while shopping, ask the seller for the certificate to obtain a confirmation. If it's not available, kindly request the certificate from the seller and obtain it.


The transparency test

Check whether or not your saree is a genuine handloom cotton saree by checking its transparency. You simply need to hold the saree up to the light and look right through it. Handloom cotton sarees are more transparent and known for their lightweight texture. Machine-made sarees will fail the test because their tight weaves make them less opaque. You can perform this simple test right in the store.

Always compare the price

Because they are man-made and require a lot of time to create, handloom sarees are more expensive than machine-made sarees. Thus, if you come across a cheap handloom cotton saree, then simply understand that it’s a counterfeit. While bargaining for your garment is common and great, remember that quality and craftsmanship do come at a price. Thus, if the shopkeeper is settling for less, then understand that it’s a fake.

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Feel the fabric

Handloom cotton sarees are known for their breezy and soft fabric. So, a pure handloom saree feels rough. But, machine-made sarees, on the contrary, will have an unnatural gloss-like silky finish because of their synthetic threads and will help you understand that it’s a fake saree.

Bottom line

The natural feel of cotton fabric helps you beat the heat during the summer and is a common pick for women. As the demand goes higher during this season, there are higher chances that you might get fraud assistance. Therefore, keep your eyes open and keep in mind the above checkpoints to know the authenticity of your handloom cotton saree.