Tailors expect to see last-minute Eid rush

We haven’t seen those crowds that we are used to because many people are away, but we have a steady flow of visitors coming in and ordering occasion wear.” Shaikh Asif Hussain, partner,

Threads and Tailors

Sometimes for those cutting it fine, they choose off the rack clothing and then we customise the outfit for quicker turnaround time. In terms of colours, bright is the buzzword.” Kamlesh Ramchandani, partner

and CEO, Made 2 Measure Tailors

There has been no rush for us this time. I think many people are still travelling, it’s the school holidays remember. Eid Al Fitr was a lot busier; it was crazy busy actually.”

Sara Al Dimachki, 800 Tailors

dubai — As Eid Al Adha draws nearer, preparations for celebrations are in full swing across the city. Shop shelves are beginning to fill with popular sweet treats and abattoirs are getting set for an influx of orders. However, this time around, tailors and dressmakers say they haven’t witnessed the usual heavy rush of customers compared to years gone by.

“We have seen a dip in local customers. We haven’t seen those crowds that we are used to because many people are away, but we have a steady flow of visitors coming in and ordering occasion wear,” Shaikh Asif Hussain, partner at Threads and Tailors in Al Barsha told Khaleej Times.

Although custom may be down across several tailor stores Khaleej

spoke to, people are still willing to fork out big money for the best in show when it comes to their Eid Al Adha outfits.

“Most of the tailor-made outfits we do for Eid are for women. Just recently, we had a lady bring in some beautiful fabric from Pakistan. The whole outfit was worth about 150,000 Pakistani rupees (approx. Dh4,500).”

Hussain said women love khamis and dupatta’s in 100 per cent cotton or chiffon, while men tend to opt for 100 per cent wool suits.

Over at Made 2 Measure tailors Kamlesh Ramchandani, partner and CEO, said so far they have taken about 25 orders for Eid Al Adha wear. “This year, we’re not expecting that busy rush that we usually get. Most people are away, so we’re seeing a steady flow instead.”

Ramchandani said his main clientele is Indian and Pakistani women, and often, they tend to come in with orders last minute.

“Sometimes for those cutting it fine, they choose off the rack clothing and then we customise the outfit for quicker turnaround time. In terms of colours, bright is the buzzword — reds, yellows, greens, always bright.” And clients in his shop pay a starting price of Dh1,000 for a man’s outfit, with women’s starting at Dh1,600.”

“For Eid especially, a typical spend per full, tailormade outfit is Dh2,000-Dh3,000. But local spending at the moment is a bit slower than normal.”

While tailors are used to putting in the extra hours during the run up to popular festivals like Eid Al Adha, this year is very different, Sara Al Dimachki of 800 Tailors told Khaleej Times. “There has been no rush for us this time. I think many people are still travelling, it’s the school holidays remember. Eid Al Fitr was a lot busier; it was crazy busy actually.”

So far, Al Dimachki said they have taken on about 20 orders specifically for Eid, and in terms of colours trends, there really isn’t one. “It’s never about one colour being popular at any one time. What we do see is a lot of bright, multi-coloured outfits.”

With Arab and Emirati nationals making up the bulk of her clientele, she said outfits usually start from Dh1,200 and can go up to Dh3,500. “Toile and linen are the most often used fabrics. Given the time of year, people prefer lighter materials. When it comes to kaftans, linen is the most popular material used.”