Cotton sarees hold a prominent place in Indian fashion, known for their elegance, comfort, and versatility. With a vast array of options available, choosing the right brand can elevate your style quotient while ensuring quality and tradition are maintained. This article explores some of the top brands renowned for their exquisite cotton sarees, each bringing its own unique aesthetic and heritage to the table. For those eager to indulge in the finest selections and discover which brands stand out, read on below.
Illustration of cotton sarees
Best brands of cotton sarees in 2025
Nalli
Nalli, although predominantly known for its high-quality silk sarees, has also made a significant impact in the Indian textile industry with its commitment to quality and customer-centric values. Established in 1928, Nalli has expanded to 22 branches, including overseas locations in California and Singapore, achieving a turnover of Rs 475 crore by 2010. The brand's success is attributed to timely delivery, good quality, and additional yardage in their sarees. Nalli's retail footprint includes various formats such as Nalli, Nalli Next, and Lavanya Nalli, catering to a wide range of customers. Despite its focus on silk, Nalli's business model emphasizes strong brand recognition, customer-centric values, and strict quality control.
RmKV
RmKV, founded in 1924, is renowned for its exquisite silk and cotton sarees, showcasing a blend of traditional craftsmanship and innovative techniques. The brand is particularly celebrated for its Bengal cotton sarees, which are known for their softness and comfort, making them ideal for everyday wear. RmKV's commitment to sustainability is evident in their use of natural dyes and eco-friendly practices, minimizing the carbon footprint in the textile industry. With over 100 years of experience, RmKV has earned several accolades, including two National Awards and recognition in the Limca Book of World Records. Their innovative designs, such as the Grand Reversible Saree and the 50,000-Colour saree, highlight their expertise in silk weaving.
Pothys
Pothys, established in 1923 by Mr. Thiru K.V. Pothy Moopanar, is a renowned brand in South India, particularly known for its high-quality cotton sarees and other garments. With a long-standing presence of over 90 years, Pothys has expanded from selling silk sarees to a diverse range of textiles, contributing to about 70-80% of its revenue. The brand operates 18 showrooms across Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Bangalore, and Kerala, and has strong procurement linkages with over 5,000 vendors. Pothys generated a total turnover of Rs. 2867 Cr in FY2019 and has demonstrated robust recovery post-COVID-19, with revenues reaching Rs. 2691 Cr in 11MFY2022. The brand's strong supplier relations and extensive retail space of 20 lac sq. ft underscore its market presence and customer trust.
Kalamandir
Kalamandir, under the umbrella of Sai Silks, is a prominent player in the Indian saree market, particularly known for its high-quality cotton and ethnic wear. With annual sales of Rs 263 crore and a profit of Rs 12 crore as of March 2012, Kalamandir has established a strong presence, especially in the southern regions. The brand operates multiple retail formats, including Kalamandir, Mandir, and Varamahalakshmi, catering to a wide range of customers with sarees priced from Rs 1,000 to Rs 1,00,000. Kalamandir's expansion plans and strategic pricing have helped it gain a significant market share, with the saree segment accounting for 52% of the women's ethnic wear market, which is growing at over 6.3% annually. The brand's focus on quality and value has made it a leader in the regulated market, outpacing much of the competition. For more details on how Sai Silks' growth model improved its business.
Fabindia
Fabindia is renowned as one of the best producers of cotton sarees, sourcing materials from textile and artisan clusters across India, including ikat from Odisha, ajrakh from Gujarat, and chanderi from Madhya Pradesh. Established in 1960 by John Bissell, Fabindia works directly with over 40,000 artisans and craftspeople, promoting good craftsmanship and sustainable livelihoods. The brand has expanded to include accessories and home decor, and it operates 327 stores across India and 14 international stores as of 2020. Fabindia's artisan-shareholder system ensures that craftspeople collectively own 26% of the equity in each subsidiary company, supporting rural employment and fair compensation. This approach has helped Fabindia differentiate itself in the market by adapting traditional fabrics and designs to urban tastes. For more details on their products, explore the Fabindia Cotton Silk Collection.
Suta
Suta is a renowned brand that has revolutionized the cotton saree market by supporting over 17,000 weavers and artisans, ensuring they receive fair wages and a sustainable source of income. Launched in 2016 by sisters Sujata and Taniya Biswas, Suta has grown into a Rs 56 crore business, known for its high-quality cotton sarees with various thread counts, including 100/100, 80/100, and 40/60. The brand has expanded its product line to include men's kurtas, women's kurtas, loungewear, home decor, and more. Suta's commitment to sustainability and ethical practices has made it a leader in preserving traditional Indian weaves and handicrafts. With a strong online presence and physical stores across India, Suta continues to make sarees a mainstream daily wear option. For more information, visit their dedicated feature on The Better India.
Bunkar
Bunkar Valley is renowned as one of the best producers of cotton sarees, particularly notable for its involvement in the traditional saree weaving industry. The brand is associated with the handloom and powerloom sectors, where saree weaving is a significant part of cultural and traditional heritage, often transmitted through generations. In places like Mubarakpur, the weavers use high-quality raw materials, such as cotton and silk, to create intricate designs like Karihal or Nagsi and Ghunari patterns. The production process involves meticulous steps, including the selection of silk yarn and manual cutting of threads, reflecting the labor-intensive nature of the craft. Despite the economic challenges, the weavers' pay is sufficient to cover their necessities, highlighting the brand's commitment to fair labor practices. For more insights into the production journey, visit the Bunkar Valley from cotton fields to closets.
Uppada Sarees
Uppada Sarees is renowned as one of the best producers of cotton sarees, particularly known for their high-quality handloom products. These sarees dominate the global handloom market, with sarees accounting for 35.20% of the market share. The brand benefits from the growing demand for sustainable and traditional handmade sarees, especially in countries like India where sarees are a staple in women's wardrobes. The market for handloom products, including Uppada Sarees, is projected to grow substantially, with the global handloom product market expected to reach USD 18,179.1 million by 2034, growing at a rate of 8.30%. This growth is driven by the increasing popularity of handwoven sarees among younger demographics, influenced by social media and fashion trends.
Utsav Fashion
Utsav Fashion is a renowned brand in the Indian fashion industry, particularly noted for its extensive collection of sarees, which account for 50% of their sales. Established with a strong online presence since 2003, the company has seen significant growth, with a 200% increase in growth rate compared to the previous year, achieving a monthly turnover of Rs 10 crores. Their business model includes catering to both domestic and international markets, with a focus on customization, where around 15-20% of orders are tailored to customer specifications. Utsav Fashion has also expanded its operations to include a dedicated website for Indian customers, Utsavfashion.in, and offers free shipping within India. The company's commitment to quality and customer satisfaction has driven its success.
BharatSthali
BharatSthali is a renowned brand in India, specializing in high-quality cotton sarees, offering over 117 pure cotton saree products, including Jaipur, Chettinad, and Bengal cotton sarees, all designed and hand-woven to perfection. With a vast collection of more than 5000 designs, BharatSthali ensures authenticity and purity, certified by the Government of India's Silk Mark India. The brand bridges the gap between artisans and customers, eliminating middlemen and increasing profits for weavers. Founded by Sumati and Pulkit Gogna, BharatSthali has been educating customers and promoting handloom sarees since its inception. Their handloom sarees are crafted with meticulous effort, sometimes taking up to 5-8 days to prepare.
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