Sherwani and Bandhgala Buttons in Hyderabad: Choosing Mother-of-Pearl for Wedding Wear

Few cities take wedding wear as seriously as Hyderabad. The city’s couture houses and family tailors have dressed grooms in sherwanis and bandhgalas for generations, and its designers now export that heritage to Indo-western suits and reception jackets worn across India. On these garments, buttons are not just fastenings — a row of seven or nine buttons down the front of a sherwani is one of the first things guests see. This guide explains how to choose mother-of-pearl and natural shell buttons for wedding wear, and how Hyderabad designers can source them directly.

Why mother of pearl for wedding wear

Traditional sherwani buttons are often metal, enamel or fabric-covered. Mother of pearl offers something different: a soft, luminous shine that looks elegant rather than flashy, works with both ivory and deep-coloured fabrics, and photographs beautifully under wedding lighting. It never tarnishes like plated metal, and each button carries the subtle variation of a natural material. For modern grooms who want a refined, understated look, MOP has become a popular choice.

Sizes for sherwanis and bandhgalas

• Sherwani front: usually 18L–24L (about 11.4–15.2 mm), depending on the cut and the designer’s style.
• Bandhgala front: 20L–24L for a classic look; larger for bold, contemporary designs.
• Cuffs and pockets: one or two sizes smaller than the front.
• Kurta under the sherwani: 14L–16L in a matching shade.

Our standard range runs from 14L to 36L (about 9 to 23 mm), and custom sizes can be cut on bulk orders.

Thickness and finish

Wedding wear calls for presence. A slightly thicker button with a high polish looks rich and catches the light; a domed or rimmed profile adds depth. For heavily embroidered sherwanis, a simpler, flatter button lets the embroidery lead. Ask for samples in two thicknesses and judge them on the garment — the difference is obvious once the buttons are on the fabric.

Matching shades to fabrics

• Ivory, cream and gold sherwanis: natural cream shell for harmony, or bright white MOP for a crisp accent.
• Maroon, wine and bottle green: white mother of pearl stands out like a pearl on velvet.
• Black and midnight blue: white MOP gives a classic black-tie contrast.
• Pastels for day functions: soft white or mixed natural shades.

Judge shades under warm indoor light, as the garment will be seen in the evening.

A row that matches from top to bottom

On a sherwani, nine buttons sit side by side and are photographed close up. Even small shade differences become visible. When ordering for couture, ask your supplier to select each garment’s buttons from a single sorted batch. At our unit we sort every order by shade and thickness after polishing, and for designer orders we can pick matched sets so the row looks even.

Attaching on embroidered garments

Sew buttons on after embroidery, zardozi and stone work are complete, so the polished surface is not scratched during handwork. For heavier buttons, a small shank of thread or a backing button inside the garment adds strength. Many designers also attach buttons with a decorative cord loop rather than a buttonhole — shell buttons with a clean, centred hole make this easy.

Indo-western and reception wear

Indo-western jackets and reception suits often combine Western tailoring with Indian detail. A set of white MOP buttons on a midnight-blue or black reception jacket gives a timeless finish, while natural cream shell suits linen and raw-silk Indo-westerns for daytime events.

Planning for the wedding season

Hyderabad’s wedding season keeps ateliers busy for months, and button sourcing often becomes a last-minute scramble. Choose your button styles when you finalise the season’s fabrics and designs, approve samples, and order enough for the season with a margin for repeat orders of popular designs. Keep a small stock of matched sets in your atelier for urgent custom orders — a groom’s family rarely waits patiently for trims.

Presenting buttons to clients

When clients visit your atelier, show them the buttons on a fabric swatch rather than loose in a box. A swatch card with three button options — white MOP, natural cream and a thicker high-polish style — helps clients visualise the finished garment and often leads them to choose the premium option.

Care advice for clients

Sherwanis are usually dry-cleaned. Advise clients to ask the cleaner to protect the buttons, or to remove very special buttons before cleaning if they are attached with a removable loop. Natural shell handles normal dry-cleaning well, but harsh solvents and rough handling can dull or chip any polished surface over time.

FAQs

Can you make larger buttons for a bold bandhgala?

Yes, up to 36L in our standard range, and custom sizes on bulk orders.

Can you supply matched sets for individual garments?

Yes. Tell us the number of buttons per garment and we will pack matched sets from the same batch.

For wedding-wear buttons, call +91-9199770786.