Summer Clothing(693 items)
Welcome to NOVICA's Summer 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 Summer Clothing
Rayon batik robe, 'Misty Javanese Forest'





By Donna lee
Super Comfortable and Luxurious
Love it...I am a size 1X and it fits. Don?t work around stove or sink with those sleeves though, they are long and cannot be rolled up - obviously. I love the feel of the fabric, light and soft. Colour is gorgeous.
Cotton capri pants, 'Casual Blue Comfort'





By Cynthia
Comfy BoHo Chic
These are simply made but very comfortable and give a classy casual look. I think for spring and summer outings, sandals will do, but in cooler weather a long sleeve top with short boots will be a good look as well.
Silk jacket, 'Boteh Garden'





By Harriet
I love this jacket.
I wore this jacket to the opera just before the pandemic started and felt so elegant. The fabric is beautiful. Ill be wearing it again when its safe to gather in public.
Featured Artist
Sandip Agarwal
"It is challenging to start on your own, but my passion for my work has always kept me faithful to my plan and not drift from my chosen path."
Popular Summer Clothing
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Peruvian Cotton Guayabera Travel Shirt, "Island Guayabera"
$78.95The guayabera, a favorite style from the Caribbean and Central and South America, is updated with travel-friendly details like a sunglasses loop and utility pocket big enough for a passport. The soft 100% cotton men's shirt has traditional details like vertical pleats. The shirt is available in black, indigo, olive and white.
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Boteh Embroidered Silk Jacket, "Boteh Garden"
$159$89.99, 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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Block-Printed White Cotton A-Line Dress from Bali, "Elegant Forest"
$77.99$70.19Vijay 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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Shekhawati Cotton Shirt, Short Sleeves, "Shekhawati Palace"
$69.95Shekhawati, in northern India, is known as the "open art gallery of Rajasthan" because of the thousands of intricate frescoes that decorate the walls and ceilings of palaces, forts, and temples. The patterns on this 100% cotton shirt are taken from a local (private mansion) and give just a hint at the abundance of geometric and arabesque decoration to be found in Shekhawati. The button-down shirt features short sleeves and side vents.