India, June 2 -- Have you ever added something to your cart because it looked beautiful online, only to realise the fabric feels scratchy, the fit is awkward, or it simply doesn't look the way you imagined once it arrives? I've been there more times than I'd like to admit.

So, when I got three very different pieces from Fabindia to review: a cotton kurta set, a hand-block printed sari, and an Ajrakh midi dress, I wasn't looking for clothes that would just photograph well. I wanted pieces I'd actually wear. Pieces that could survive long workdays, family lunches, summer heat, compliments from my mom (a very important benchmark), and multiple outfit repeats.

Over the past few weeks, I wore each of these pieces for different occasions. I p...