A Line Clothing(71 items)
Welcome to NOVICA's A Line 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 A Line Clothing
Beaded viscose dress, 'Georgette Glamour'





By Marjorie
stunning dress
Its a beautiful dress. I wish I didnt have such a short torso. I returned it because I dont have the body to do this dress justice. I have a very short torso and long legs and empress cuts work best for me, but I was really, really hoping I could pull it off. Its a stunning dress for a very fair price.
Cotton maxi dress, 'Floral Symphony'





By Joy
Comfortable and attractive
It will be a great outfit for summer. It is wonderful to have a matching mask and pockets. Since I intend to wear flat sandals with this dress, I will need to hem it. I am expecting a lot of complements.
Cotton midi dress, 'Midnight Muse'





By Jan
Great dress, but does not fit my body well
Frist, this is a great dress. Fine workmanship and fabric. I like that it is lightweight, but covered up to some extent. When traveling, I sometimes visit a church or other religious building, and being a bit more covered up is more appropriate (or required) than typical summer wear. I could have worn it to work on a casual day, before I recently retired. It could be great from casual to cocktails, depending on how you style it with shoes and jewelry. Due diligence: I returned the dress. I thought it tied at my waist, but the seam hits higher, almost empire-style under my bust -- and I am not a tall woman. If this style works for you, it is a great dress. For me, it is not flattering, and I dont like ties around my rib cage - I like to breathe without feeling a restriction. I dont think ordering a smaller size would fix the problem. If the seam was more at the waist, I would have worn this dress many places, and even looked for more colors or prints from this producer.
Featured Artist


Hari and Arthur Batik apparel and decor accents
"For me, the key to success is to be brave, strong, willing and honest."
Popular A Line Clothing
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Block-Printed White Cotton A-Line Dress from Bali, "Elegant Forest"
$77.99Vijay Singh offers this elegant A-line dress from India. Made from snow white viscose chiffon, this dress is decorated with block-printed motifs in gold and slate that evoke the majesty of a forest. Glass beads and glimmering sequins decorate the tied neckline of this frilly dress.
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Pink Floral Print Cotton Maxi Dress, "Floral Fantasy"
$54.99A pretty mix of prints in carnation pink, melon and pistachio cover this appealing empire waist maxi dress from Aftab in India. The long, flowy cotton dress features three-quarter length sleeves, a v-neckline, and ties at the side to adjust the fit. Feels like loungewear, but looks pretty enough for a garden party!
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Screen Print Blue and White Cotton Dress, "Fanciful Leaves"
$44.99Aftab presents this easy-wear cotton dress, which features an allover leaf and vine pattern in white against a field of Pacific blue. The dress features a surplice bodice and a gathered skirt, with an elasticized waist for comfort and freedom of movement. Side slits help keep you cool on the warmest of days.