Mul Cotton vs Chanderi Silk: Which saree fabric should you choose?

When most of us think of sarees, we immediately think of prints & colours. That’s natural. Those are the things that catch your eye first. But if you’ve ever worn a saree and thought to yourself, “Oh, this feels just right” or on the flip side, “Hmm, this is too stiff, too heavy, not me”, then you already know the real secret. It isn’t just about how a saree looks. It’s about how it feels. And that magic lies in the fabric.

At Mogasu, we work with two fabrics we absolutely love: mul cotton and chanderi silk. Both are special in their own ways. And honestly, neither is better or worse - it depends on where you’re going, what the weather is like, and what kind of mood you’re in when you reach for that saree.

Let me take you through both, the way I would if you dropped by our workspace in Goa and asked me, “Which one should I pick?”

The story of mul cotton

If I had to describe Mogasu’s mul cotton in one line, I’d say: it’s the closest thing to wearing a soft cloud.

Mul (short for mulmul) is a very fine, airy cotton. It’s the fabric that just lets your skin breathe. If you’ve ever been to Goa in April or May - when the air is thick, the sun is blazing, and you just want clothes that don’t stick to you - mul cotton is your saviour.

When we started Mogasu, mul was an obvious choice. Goa isn’t a place for heavy, stiff fabrics. People here live in the sun, by the sea, with salt in their hair and sand between their toes. Mul cotton matches that mood perfectly. It drapes easily, doesn’t feel fussy, and makes you forget you’re even wearing a saree.

One of our earliest customers once told me: “Your mul sarees are like second skin. I don’t even realise I’m wearing a saree until someone compliments me on it.” That’s exactly what mul does. It’s soft, forgiving, and if you’re new to sarees, it makes draping less intimidating. You don’t have to starch it, you don’t have to fuss over pleats. Just let it flow and it’ll settle into shape.

And because it’s cotton, it’s also kind to your skin. No scratchy, synthetic feeling. Many women tell us that mul was their “first love saree” because it was the first time they felt truly comfortable in six yards as compared to the traditional sarees.

The story of Chanderi silk

Now, chanderi silk is different. Not heavier, but definitely dressier. It’s like when your cotton kurta suddenly gets upgraded with a little sheen and structure - it instantly feels more festive.

Chanderi has its roots in Madhya Pradesh, where this fabric was traditionally woven with silk and cotton threads together. What you get is a saree that still feels light, but has this beautiful, subtle shimmer when the light hits it. That’s what makes it perfect for those moments when you want to look a little extra - not too grand, but definitely elegant.

If mul cotton is for your everyday brunches, errands, workdays… chanderi silk is for your evening pooja, your best friend’s roka, that office Diwali party. It gives you that sense of occasion without weighing you down.

Another thing about chanderi: it holds its shape better. If you’re the kind of person who likes neat pleats, who likes the pallu to fall with a bit of volume, then chanderi silk will make you very happy. It has a little more structure compared to mul. It’s not stiff like pure silks, but it’s not floppy either. It finds this sweet balance.

And here’s what most people don’t realise: unlike pure silks, chanderi is actually quite manageable. You’ll still need to treat it gently, but you don’t have to run to the dry cleaner after every wear. It’s wearable luxury without the stress.

Why we work with both

Goa has shaped the way Mogasu designs. The humid air, the lazy afternoons, the unexpected evening gatherings - they all need fabrics that feel effortless. That’s why mul cotton and chanderi silk became our go-tos.

Some days, you just want to lounge with a book by the window while the monsoon rain pours outside. That’s a mul day. Other days, you might be heading to a wedding by the beach at sunset, with fairy lights strung across palm trees. That’s when chanderi steps in.

We don’t see them as competing. They’re just two moods. Two different reflections of how women live, celebrate, and move through their days.

Customers always ask…

One of the questions I get all the time is, “Which one lasts longer?” And my answer is always: both can last you years, if you take care of them. Mul needs gentle washes, chanderi needs a little more attention. But honestly, the bigger reason people come back for more isn’t longevity. It’s the feeling. Once you fall in love with the comfort of mul or the quiet elegance of chanderi, you’ll know exactly which saree to reach for the next time.

Another thing people ask: “Will this design come back?” The truth is, not always. At Mogasu, we don’t mass-produce. We print in small batches. Sometimes the block gets retired, sometimes we switch up the colour palette. That means when you pick a saree, you’re not picking something that’s going to be repeated endlessly. You’re choosing a little piece of serendipity. And that’s also what makes it special.

So, which one is right for you?

If you’re looking for something you can throw on any day, travel with, wear in the heat, live in without fuss - start with mul cotton. You’ll thank yourself.

If you’re after something that feels a bit more polished, something for celebrations that doesn’t scream “overdressed” but still turns heads - choose chanderi silk.

And honestly, if you’re anything like most Mogasu women, you’ll probably end up with both in your wardrobe. Because life needs both moods.

Our promise

Every saree we make - mul or chanderi - is handblock printed by artisans who pour hours of work into every piece. We don’t believe in speed or scale. We believe in creating consciously. Small batches, big love. That’s our promise.

When you drape a Mogasu saree, it isn’t just about fabric. It’s about the story of where it came from, the hands that printed it, and the little slice of Goa that inspired it.

So maybe the real question isn’t “mul or chanderi?” The real question is: what mood are you in today?