Handloom Tissue Sarees: Cotton and Linen Tissue with Zari

Tissue Sarees with a Woven Zari Sheen

A tissue saree has fine metallic zari woven through the body of the fabric, not just the border, so the whole drape catches the light. Ours are mostly handloom cotton tissue and handloom linen tissue: the sheen sits on a base that breathes, so the saree stays light through a long day of functions. New to the fabric? Read what is a tissue saree.

Handloom Cotton Tissue Sarees

Our cotton tissue is handwoven with a fine zari warp and a mul cotton weft. Because the two threads differ, the colour shifts as the saree moves: Tarini in purple carries a gold glow and Rohini in pink a soft shimmer. It is soft rather than stiff, so it pleats and drapes easily, and most of our plain tissue sarees come with a blouse piece, while Miss Earth comes without one (each product page says what is included). Like every MAYIN saree, each is 5.5 m long and 45 inches wide. For everyday weaves without zari, see our mul cotton sarees or all our cotton sarees.

Linen Tissue Sarees

Linen tissue weaves zari through handloom linen. It has more body than cotton tissue and holds crisp pleats, which suits evening receptions and winter functions. Silver, a plain silver linen tissue, and Mustard, a yellow linen tissue, are ₹4,499. See all our linen sarees.

Cotton Tissue vs Silk Tissue

Many tissue sarees sold online are silk tissue, which is usually heavier and stiffer, and costs more. Cotton and linen tissue keep the sheen but stay light and breathable, which matters at a summer wedding or a long puja. If you want the glow without the weight, cotton or linen tissue is the one to choose.

Gold, Silver and Other Colours

Gold tissue is the classic festive choice, warm in daylight and rich under evening lights: Devina is a plain gold handloom tissue saree; see our gold sarees. Silver is the cooler metallic and suits evening receptions and silver, diamond or pearl jewellery; a wine, emerald, navy, black or deep pink blouse shows it at its best. Beyond the metallics, our tissue is woven in yellow, purple, pink, red, green, blue and bronze, ivory and gold (Meira), and black and gold (Gilded).

Tissue Sarees for Weddings and Festivals

Tissue is made for celebrations: Diwali, Karwa Chauth, Durga Puja, receptions and wedding functions. Deeper and two-tone shades read well in the evening, while yellow and gold suit haldi and daytime functions. Miss Earth, a yellow handloom cotton tissue saree with embroidery and zari, suits a haldi or a day wedding. Browse Diwali sarees, Karwa Chauth sarees, reception sarees and party wear sarees, or read our wedding reception saree guide and Karwa Chauth saree guide.

Styling a Tissue Saree

Let the sheen lead and keep the rest simple. Tissue is semi-sheer, so match the petticoat to the saree or to the zari tone. Match your jewellery metal to the zari, and skip gold with silver tissue. Crisp linen tissue holds a belt cleanly if you want one, but still pin the pleats. For more, read jewellery for saree and footwear for saree.

Caring for a Tissue Saree

Dry clean only, to protect the zari. Iron on low heat on the reverse with a thin cotton cloth in between. Store it flat or loosely rolled in cotton, away from damp, and refold it now and then so the zari does not crack along a sharp fold. Read how to wash and care for sarees.