Black Clothing(337 items)
Welcome to NOVICA's Black Clothing Collection designed and crafted for you by talented artisans worldwide.
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The Village Council
Your answers straight from the village experts


Traditional methods of hand crafting robes vary by region, culture, and historical context. Two common techniques that allow artisans to create luxurious, wearable, highly-detailed robes are hand-painting and hand-stitching. In Bali, where the practice of making robes by hand has been passed down for generations, the traditional method of batik is a signature style. The Batik Tulis, for example, is a technique that utilizes wax-resistant dye that is then applied directly to the cloth. It is an intricate, patient process that can produce extraordinarily detailed pieces. Batik Cap is another classic technique where a copper stamp is repeatedly pressed with the wax-resistant dye onto the cloth. This process creates patterns on the garment that are then dip-dyed to saturate color into the unwaxed parts of the robe. Both batik techniques produce unique pieces that represent the incredible talent of our artisans in Bali.


Each region puts its signature mark on its handmade robes. In Thailand, for example, designs featuring geometric patterns and labyrinth motifs are trending. These patterns are hand-woven to create a ruched texture that highlights the intricacy of each garment. From Bali to Java, our artisans have seen their batik motifs become customer favorites. These wearable canvases feature both hand-painted and hand-printed designs, making for vibrant, one-of-a-kind pieces that allow for artisans and customers to showcase their individuality.


The fit, feel, and fabric of a robe should transport you to a place of rest and relaxation. Novicas handmade robes exude comfort, because artisans attend to every detail with painstaking care. Robes made from silk, cotton, or rayon can provide high levels of comfort and versatility. One should look for breathability, absorbency, and versatility when purchasing a robe. Additionally, hypoallergenic fibers, like cotton, can provide comfort to those with sensitive skin. Whether one is looking for a lightweight fabric or a lavishly-woven robe, every handmade piece from Novica artisans brings an expressive twist to new styles and a fresh take on the classics.


Handmade robes are fine, delicate pieces. These garments require a bit more care when it comes to laundering. Hand-washing in cold water always produces the best results. For machine wash, one can use cold water and the delicate cycle. Avoid twisting or harshly handling the fabric, and never use intense heat settings while drying the robe. Air drying while the fibers are laid flat will help to prevent excessive wear on the fabric, as well as preserve the vibrancy of the robes colors. Always dry a batik or hand-painted robe in the shade.


The journey of the traditional robe throughout history is meandering and culturally specific. Here are just a few of the important stops along the way. In Japan, kimonos are an adaptable garment that have been a staple of cultural fashion since the Heian period. The robes from Bali are influenced by the classic Japanese kimono and yukata. The kimono is crafted with silk and worn over many layers in the winter while the yukata is a summer garment made with a single layer of cotton. Both of these styles reflect the artisans' take on a traditional style. In prehistoric Rome, robes were used to identify social status and to signify special ranks within communities. And by the 1700s, dressing gowns were a fashionable piece in the western wardrobe.


The most popular materials for crafting handmade robes are natural fibers such as silk and cotton. Because silk is a light-weight, water-resistant fiber, it provides the wearer a sense of luxury and comfort. Rayon is a natural-based material made up of an organic compound derived from cotton extract or wood pulp. This fiber is extremely durable, breathable, and cost effective. Cotton is celebrated for its comfortability and elasticity, and it provides excellent insulation. These fibers make for garments that exude luxury and relaxation.
Featured Reviews on Black Clothing
Knit viscose top, 'Bandhani'





By Jeanne
Comfortable, colorful Bandini top
This comfortable and colorful Bandini top will be a great addition to both my travel and everyday wardrobe. I appreciate the artist s creativity and artistic technique and the top fits perfectly. Novica offers unique and creative items that are a testament to their focus on offering quality items from the world s artisans to its grateful customers.
Nubuck ankle boot, 'Parallels'





By Laura
Wow! Coolest boot ever!
I love these boots! Suave, sexy, understated...a very comfortable heel and a no-nonsense sole, well lugged...could be worn with dresses or leggings. Just fabulous, and fit like they were made for me, so fairly true to size. (I ordered one half size larger than usual.) A great staple addition to your shoe wardrobe.
Rayon batik robe, 'Night Dragonflies'





By Maritta
Beautiful robe - exactly like photos
Just as described, really nice colors and soft to the touch. The size and length are exactly as described, it looks the same or better than the photos. High quality fabric and impeccable stitching. Arrived sooner than I was expecting, packed in a nice little fabric case that matches the robe. I highly recommend, great experience all around. Thank-you to the artisan for creating something so beautiful.
Popular Black Clothing
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Embroidered Mughal Tunic, "Mughal Mystery"
$67.99$61.19The 17th-century Mughal emperor Shah Jahan, best known for erecting the Taj Mahal, built Delhi's Red Fort as his capital in 1648. Its intricate architectural details have inspired artists ever since, including the designer of this heavily embroidered all-cotton tunic. The dramatic tunic features ivory soutache embroidery at the neckline, cuffs and hem, as well as glistening white sequins.
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Boteh Embroidered Silk Jacket, "Boteh Garden"
$149.99$84.89, mango leaf, even Welsh pear--the pattern most commonly known as paisley in the West goes by many different names. The teardrop-shaped, abstract floral comes in infinite variations, and here they're embroidered on an elegant jacket made of raw silk. The fully-lined jacket features split sleeves that can be folded back.
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Viscose Bandhani Skirt, "Bandhani"
$62.95Bandhani is a tie-dyeing technique practiced mainly in western India. Intricate patterns are created by wrapping the fabric with string before dyeing it. When the fabric is untied, natural patterns appear in the places where the string prevented the dye from taking hold. Bandhani cloth is often used for women's shawls, but here the technique is adapted for a silky maxi skirt. Made of a black knit viscose rayon, the skirt drapes beautifully and features an elastic waistband for comfort.