The fabrics that only work in winter
Velvet for the sherwani or bandhgala is the quintessential winter choice. Deep jewel-tone velvet — burgundy, midnight navy, emerald, peacock blue — is extraordinary under the lighting of December wedding events: it absorbs light in a way that gives extraordinary depth to photographs and appears different at every viewing angle. Velvet is warm; in Chennai this restricts it to December and January. In Delhi, Jaipur or any North Indian wedding venue in December, velvet is perfectly comfortable.
Flannel for a Western suit provides the deepest, richest appearance of any suiting cloth. A charcoal flannel suit has a softness and depth that worsted wool cannot match. Flannel is heavy by suit standards; in Chennai even in December it may be warm. For North Indian winter weddings, it is appropriate and exceptionally handsome.
Heavy brocade for the sherwani — the kind with substantial metallic zari content that would be oppressive in April — is appropriate for December and January and provides the richest ceremonial appearance of any ethnic wear cloth.
Layering for winter outdoor weddings
Wedding celebrations that extend outdoors into the North Indian winter night can become very cold — particularly in Rajasthan, where the desert climate means significant temperature drops after sunset. Planning for this means having a layering option: a fine pashmina shawl over a sherwani, or a formal wool overcoat for a Western wedding suit, that can be added without undermining the visual effect of the outfit.
At The Black Lapel, we make formal overcoats that coordinate with specific wedding suits — a charcoal wool topcoat that pairs with a navy suit, or a camel cashmere coat that pairs with a grey suit. These overcoats are appropriate for outdoor evening events and for travel between indoor and outdoor spaces at winter wedding venues.