Surat textile traders and powerloom weavers seeing that around 10 percent of the daily 3 crore metre of fabrics manufactured in Surat, the country’s largest man made fabric hub going into designing and manufacturing of palazzo pants - women’s trousers cut with a loose, extremely wide leg that flares out from the waist manufactured from crepe, chiffon and knitted polyester fabrics is gaining popularity across the country are now planning to focus on increasing the sale of man-made fabric (MMF).

According to Devkishan Managhani, chairman of the textile committee in Southern Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SGCCI), the MMF textile sector stands to gain from the growing popularity of palazzo pants also known as pajamas locally. Around 50% of the cloth used in palazzo pants is polyester and Surat could become the biggest supplier.

Surti traders supply fabrics to the manufacturers based in Mumbai, Ludhiana, Delhi and Kolkata. But with the sale of dress materials made of polyester cloth has dipped by almost 45% as more and more women, including elderly women, are switching to the trendy leggings. Leggings have now captured the market of over Rs 2,500 crore.

The finished fabrics market in Surat is pegged at Rs 40,000 crore a year of this, dress materials accounted for Rs 14,000 crore business, said trade analysts

Mahendra Ramoliya, president of Surat Jacquard Weavers Association, said that Palazzo pants require 2.5 metre of cloth, which is less compared to dress materials and saris. As weavers are also into manufacturing knitted fabrics with net materials, using these material they can try to give a different look to the trendy palazzo pants.

According to Jitu Vakharia, president of South Gujarat Textile Processors Association, Palazzo pants are made from both plain and printed fabrics. Most of the printed designs used in these pants are made in Surat.