Cooling threads, cultural roots: Sharis for a softer summer
To elevate your summer wardrobe, The Business Standard spoke with three brands that are redefining shari style with breathable fabrics, season-friendly designs
Once a daily staple for Bangali women, shari was an integral part of everyday life. Our grandmothers, and their mothers before them, wore it with grace, managing household chores and daily routines without a second thought.
But over time, the shari has gradually transitioned from a symbol of everyday wear to one of an occasion. Today, especially among the youth, it is often reserved for festivals, celebrations, or cultural events, rather than the daily rhythm of life.
Managing a shari during the summer heat can get hectic, given the pleats, layers and wrapping nature of the shari drape.
"I believe both the fabric and the draping style play a vital role in how comfortable a shari feels," said Shaina Tabassum, a student at BRAC University and fashion enthusiast.
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
"Cotton and linen are my go-to choices for summer. When it comes to draping, I like pairing sharis with crop shirts and letting the anchol fall loosely over the shoulder, it creates a soft waterfall effect in front and allows better airflow."
To elevate your summer wardrobe, The Business Standard spoke with three brands that are redefining shari style with breathable fabrics, season-friendly designs.
Bangal
Designer Naima Haque launched her label, Bangal, in mid-2020 amid the Covid-19 pandemic. Since then, the brand has steadily carved out a niche for itself with its understated, cotton-based shari collections that embrace minimal embellishment.
"My design philosophy is rooted in simplicity," says Naima. "I avoid mixing techniques, no hand-stitching over screen prints or layering embroidery on block prints. If it's a screen print, it stays that way. If it's handwork, it remains purely handwork."
For the summer collection, she leaned into soothing, eye-friendly shades of pastel, sourcing fabric directly from artisans who allow her to customise yarn shades to fit her vision.
When it comes to embroidery, Naima collaborates with a team of around 15 women based in Dhaka. These freelancers work from home, each skilled in traditional stitching techniques such as Kantha stitch, Bhortal work, and Krush stitch.
This season, Bangal's lineup includes handloom cotton sharis with subtle detailing. For those who find traditional draping a challenge, the brand also offers ready-to-wear, pre-pleated sharis.
Every piece at Bangal is customisable, clients can select their preferred colours and patterns. It typically takes 10 to 12 days to deliver a bespoke shari, and the price starts from Tk1,800.
Kadambari Exclusive by Razbi
Designer Tasneem Hossain Razbi started her brand Kadambari Exclusive by Razbi in 2019 from her passion for art. To her, this brand was a creative outlet to express her painting skills.
Kadambari Exclusive by Razbi is a popular brand for women across the generations for its beautiful hand-painted and hand-worked sharis.
"For me, designing a shari is a process of storytelling. I am inspired by the natural beauty of Bangladesh, and try to bring elements, be it local birds or flowers of nature in its truest form," said Razbi.
Razbi is true to nature when it comes to colour selection as well.
"I try to portray the original colour of flowers and birds in the design. If a flower is pink, I would try to keep it pink in the design, regardless of the colour of the shari," she said.
Kadambari Exclusive by Razbi now has a team of 25 workers. Razabi has desdicated artisans working for her who weave the fabrics of her sharis from scratch. For embellishment, the brand only resorts to hand embroidery.
Kadambari Exclusive by Razbi's summer shari collection features fabrics like Handloomed Cotton, Andi Cotton, Adi Cotton, Muslin and Pure Silk.
"Comfort is an uncompromising requirement in summer collection. Hence, for the summer sharis, we asked our artisan to increase the thread count to enhance softness and wearability," she added.
The price range at Kadambari Exclusive by Razbi starts from Tk4,000 and goes up to Tk16,000.
Samia Khan
After over a decade in the fashion industry, designer Farzana Khanom Samia launched her eponymous label in mid-2024, driven by a desire to blend sustainability with artistry. Drawing inspiration from nature, her work reflects a deep commitment to handmade craftsmanship and conscious creation.
"I wanted to build something that speaks to my identity," says Samia. "This brand is my way of encouraging people to embrace fashion that is thoughtful, personal, and respectful to both the planet and the people behind the process."
Firmly positioned against fast fashion and mass production, Samia's label offers an alternative, garments that honour slow fashion, traditional techniques, and ethical practices. At the heart of her design philosophy lies a belief that beauty should be intentional and lasting.
Every piece from the label is made through a deliberate process, using natural dyes and the skilled hands of artisans who inherit generations of technique. The summer collection is a celebration of that ethos, featuring ultra-lightweight silk sharis that weigh just around 400 grams.
"This isn't your conventional shari," Samia explains. "It's light, breathable, and crafted for the woman who wants both grace and comfort, who values heritage, but also lives in the now."
With its fluid silhouettes and mindful detailing, the collection offers a refreshing take on tradition, ideal for intimate gatherings, relaxed outings, or festive moments that call for something quietly elegant.
