Friday, December 22, 2017

Friday Travel Tip - Islamabad - Shopping for Clothes (tailors)

Tailors in Pakistan can be very high quality, very low quality, and everything in-between.  Prices can also be very high to very low, unfortunately the quality doesn't always match the price.  Many hotels have tailors inside them, and they're fairly average, but very expensive.  The benefit to a tailor in your hotel is you don't have to go far to find them, this can be great if you're not allowed to leave the hotel grounds for security issues. Finding a good tailor takes a bit of leg work. If you can, consult someone outside the hotel, if you have business meetings or even a driver can help.

When you get to the tailor expect to be attacked with offers.  Make sure you have time, and make sure you have an idea of what you want.  Be firm about what you want, but it's OK to hear them out a little.  Tailors have an idea in their head about western fashion, they will do what they can to make you say yes. Fitted suits and dresses can be done quickly, but you may pay a premium for for the speed.  You'll also have to make sure you book time for fittings to ensure the perfect fit.  While I've mentioned that prices can be expensive, it is relative.  Pakistani tailors are overall very reasonable compared to western tailors. You're likely going to be able to buy something custom made for half or even less than half of what it might cost in western countries.

The options of types of clothing you can have made runs from full tuxedos, to t-shirts.  They will offer to make copies of anything you want, or make something custom for you.  It should be noted that copies aren't often just copies.  More often than not the copies are inspired by the original, but will have some variations depending on the fabric and skills of the tailor.  Go in for fittings of the copies and make sure they fit properly, they may alter the design slightly, even if you bring in the clothing you want copied.  Make sure it's right, and if it's not, get them to fix it.

Later