Tash kuchin is the brocade of the Himalayan wardrobe, the cloth of chubas, khenjas and bakhus at Losar and at weddings from Darjeeling to Kathmandu, and a blazer cut from it does what the khenja does for a man who wants a lapel. This is a western blazer in shape and an Eastern Himalayan garment in cloth: the brocade carries the woven medallions and fret of kuchin, and the lapel is faced in a second brocade that answers it in a contrast colour.
The body brocade has a firm hand and a soft sheen that catches the light along the shoulder and the sleeve. The notch lapel, the welt of the chest pocket and the welts of both hip pockets are cut from the contrast brocade, so the trim reads as one line from the collar to the hip. Two buttons close the front, the cuffs carry a row of buttons, and the blazer is cut close through the chest with a clean back. Each blazer is cut only after you order and checked for fit, finishing and cultural accuracy before it ships. Each one is tailor-made to your measurements — after ordering, Bhutib contacts you directly to confirm fit and preferences.
Wear it over a plain dark shirt for a reception, or over a daura suruwal with a topi for a wedding morning, with a printed dhaka waistcoat buttoned beneath it; it sits with the daura suruwal, coats and waistcoats Nepali men wear to weddings. Each blazer is stitched for Bhutib in a tailoring workshop in the Eastern Himalayan hills.
| Garment type |
Men’s blazer, single-breasted, notch lapel |
| Fabric |
Tash kuchin brocade body; contrast brocade on the lapel and pocket welts |
| Cultural wear |
Himalayan men’s festive wear: Nepali weddings and receptions, Losar in the Tibetan and Sherpa communities |
| Styling |
Over a plain shirt and trousers; with a topi for a wedding |
Questions buyers ask
Is this a khenja? No. The khenja is the traditional Himalayan coat with a band collar and side or frog closures; this is a blazer with a notch lapel and two buttons, cut from the same tash kuchin brocade.
Can it be worn with a bakhu or a daura suruwal? Over a daura suruwal, yes, in place of a plain coat. With the women’s bakhu it is the partner piece at a wedding, not a part of the bakhu itself.
How do I care for brocade? Dry clean only. Hang it on a shaped hanger, keep it out of direct sun, and press on the reverse through a cloth if a crease sets.
