India Art Craft

by Lia D.

I'm such a fool!!  How many times have I passed this place with the pretty dresses on headless maniquans, never bothering to explore the goods behind the door?  I guess it's easy b/c the place is wedged between Chipotle and Baskin Robbins. Well today I wanted to stop in.  I'm warning you:  The smell of patchouli is overwhelming, but I got used to it eventually.  Traditional Indian slippers w/jewels and glitter and satin adorned the walls. There were racks and racks of gorgeous silk blouses, dresses, and tunics.   There are two boutique cases with jewelry and shelves stacked with Pashminas (made in India, not China).  There's a whole lot more, but I didn't dig around in the back that much.  Everything is just so colorful and unique.  I grabbed a black Pashmina and immediately the owner sprung up behind me to let me know if I bought 3, I'd get one free.  I nicely told him I own about 300 of them and he backed off.  When I went to check out, his son (I think) again asked me if I was sure I wanted to get only one.  Yes, I was sure.  He told me to come back soon and I promised I would.  Then he slipped a gold bracelet (not real, but looks like it!) into my hand as appreciation for my business.

by Pickles Z.

What a pleasure, I happened by to find things I actually needed on clearance. The store owner had so many choices and that is the most fun dressing room I've ever seen.  My husband even bought a man dress that fits like it was made for him.  I will be back nearing summer to buy one of everything.  Though take the craft part in the name seriously as you will find things that are crafty, so it's not not high end, but perfectly priced for authentic and much better than buying summer clothes at HM or Zara that are designed to look like this imported, flowy, lovely stuff.

by pc z.

Where does one go for a gypsy costume last minute in DC? Why, an Indian clothing store of course! I was trying to find a skirt with the noise making coins on it to go over a long peasant skirt I had. Plus, I've always wanted one of those skirts, but I could never find one that I liked. Luckily, I found this place on yelp and have to give it major props. The shopkeeper is super attentive (annoyingly so, actually), but he may be willing to barter, and threw in a bangle for good measure (as well as 2 business cards to distribute). The clothes are a little pricey (Full price was $39 for a belly dancing skirt?) But they have good sales and deals (Pashminas were 4 for the price of 3, belly dancing skirts were $19 that day). The clothing is all beautiful, and there's a huge selection of colors. Skirts, dresses, scarves everywhere...right next to Chipotle!I may not need to shop here very often because I don't need this kind of clothing(so pretty though!), but it definitely made my weekend. I got TONS of compliments on the skirt at all 3 Halloween parties I went to, and I did end up buying two instead of one - that man can bargain. The skirt itself is of much higher quality than I've seen elsewhere(more rows of coins, better design for easier tying), and held up through Halloween and All Saints Day.

by Meredith D.

I love this place.  It always smells good, is full of beautiful (and affordable) pashminas, scarves, and other lovely things - and everything I've worn from here has garnered many many compliments!  The shopkeepers (either the son or his father) are both very attentive - sometimes a little TOO attentive, actually!  I've had to tell them both that I just want to look - but then, they answer your questions very quickly as well.  They are willing to barter, as someone else has noted, and they always throw in a free bangle for purchases over a certain amount (I believe).  I did some Christmas shopping here for some of their pashminas ($19, buy 3 get 1 free!) and definitely was glad to find some good deals.  Best of all, this place is really just steps from the Woodley Park metro.

by Kate B.

Aaah, Lia D. beat me to being first-to-review by a mere four days! Looks like she I both made this great discovery around the same time. I, too, pass this place daily never think twice, but after an Open City brunch I decided a little window shopping was just what a needed. And what a treat!Everything at India Art Craft is beautiful and, for the most part, authentically Indian. It's a small store packed with a surprisingly huge amount of stuff -- dresses, skirts, shoes, bags, wraps, beaded wall hangings, jewelry, hookah, flavored tobacco, Indian music CDs - every corner of this store is filled with something bright, colorful interesting. When I arrived, the owner greeted me promptly friendlily, telling me about their pashmina sale pointing out their dressing room but otherwise leaving me to shop. I tried on a dress when I returned from the dressing room, the place was packed!Alas, it was not my lucky day to find the sundress of my dreams at India Art Craft, which was OK because my wallet wasn't at its best today. That said, I will be back for another try. This store has clothing in all sizes, from XS on up up 3X, in long and short varieties every length in between, so there's something for everyone. The racks are a joy to browse -- gorgeous, luxurious Indian dresses in every color of the rainbow. Sure, I noticed a couple made my Necessary Objects by Ady Gluck-Frankel, which they sell at Sears, so that was a little off, but even those dresses fit the image, like I said, for the most part, everything else appears to be authentically Indian - made in India. Oh, one FYI: They have a no returns policy, with only two days to exchange your merchandise.I also plan to go back to buy a hookah -- they have smaller ones for only about $45 (larger ones for as much as $145), they sell flavored tobacco for $15 in every flavor imaginable.This place is a gem - give it a shot!

by Heather K.

I visited the National Zoo today and found this store as I was walking around the Metro station.  What a great little store!  The Owner was very nice and helpful.  They have a nice selection and decent prices.  I bought a long dress and he gave me a gold bracelet for free.  :)