Cape

A cape is the most contemporary thing on this page: an open embroidered layer worn over a lehanga, a shirt or straight trousers. It carries the decoration so the piece underneath does not have to, which makes it useful for a second or third function where you want a different look without a second full commission.

Net, organza and embroidered tissue are the usual choices. All three are sheer enough that what shows through matters — we plan the layer and what sits beneath it together rather than separately.

Worked borders along the front opening and the hem give a cape its shape in movement. Dense all-over embroidery tends to fight it, because the weight stops the layer floating, which is the whole point of the garment.