Silk gets the celebrations, but cotton gets the life in between — the workday, the family lunch, the long afternoon. And handloom cotton, worn well, is every bit as elegant.

Chanderi is the one to start with. Woven in Madhya Pradesh, it is a cotton-silk blend with a soft sheen and a famously sheer texture. It is light enough for June and refined enough for a wedding brunch.

Kota Doria from Rajasthan is built on a square-check weave called khat, which makes it feather-light and unusually breathable. Held to the light, the grid is unmistakable.

Jamdani from Bengal is where cotton becomes art. The motifs are woven in by hand on the loom itself, not printed or embroidered, so the pattern seems to float inside the fabric. A fine Jamdani takes months.

There is also the sturdy comfort of Ilkal, the crisp lines of Mangalgiri, and the deep earth tones of Kalamkari — each with its own personality and its own region.

Styling cotton is refreshingly easy. Keep the jewellery simple: oxidised silver, a single jhumka, a bindi. Let the weave speak. A well-fitted cotton or khadi blouse finishes it better than anything heavy.

Care is straightforward but specific. Wash the first time separately in cold water with mild detergent, since handloom colours bleed early on. Dry in shade, never harsh sun, and use a light starch to bring back the crispness that makes cotton look sharp rather than tired. Iron slightly damp for the best finish.

A cotton saree asks very little and gives a great deal — which is close to the definition of luxury.