Cloth markets abuzz with shoppers as Eid nears

Tailors will stop taking orders for Eid shalwar kameez stitching from mid-Ramazan

KARACHI:

The sale of men's clothing for Eidul Fitr has reached its peak, with garment shops across the metropolis remaining open until Sehri to accommodate the influx of customers. However, the rising cost of tailoring has led to a decline in the trend of getting clothes stitched.

Men's fabric markets are mainly situated in areas such as Bolton Market, Jama Cloth, Saddar, Landhi, Liaquatabad, and Clifton, while unstitched fabric is also available in various Bara markets, including those in Banaras, Paposh, Lasbela, Nazimabad, and Tariq Road. The longstanding tradition of purchasing unstitched fabric and having it tailored for Eid is gradually fading due to the increasing prices of both fabric and tailoring charges.

Traders attribute the decline in fabric sales to the devaluation of the rupee, which has made imported fabrics more expensive. At the same time, local mills have raised fabric prices due to higher production costs, further compounded by increased transportation and operational expenses.

The effects of soaring prices are evident in Eid shopping trends, as more consumers are now opting for ready-made garments over tailored suits. Even those who still prefer unstitched fabric are purchasing in smaller quantities, leading to a decline in foot traffic in traditional fabric markets.

Customers complain about the financial burden of tailoring costs, saying that an unstitched suit priced between Rs2,500 and Rs3,000 incurs an additional Rs1,500 in stitching charges, bringing the total cost to Rs.4,000-4,500. In comparison, branded ready-made suits are available for Rs4,000-5,000, while non-branded stitched suits can be purchased for Rs2,000-2,500. Given these price differences, many consumers find it more economical to purchase ready-made garments instead of bearing the high cost of tailoring.

Despite rising costs, some shoppers continue to purchase unstitched fabric for Eid, considering it an essential tradition. In Nizamabad's Bara Market, also known as Chaula Market, over 100 shops sell both imported and locally manufactured fabrics, including cotton and wash-and-wear varieties. Post the 10th of Ramazan, these shops remain open until Sehri, with traders operating on minimal profit margins due to reduced consumer spending.

Currently, cotton fabric suits in these markets are priced between Rs2,000 and Rs2,500, while wash-and-wear fabrics range from Rs2,000 to Rs3,500, depending on quality. Compared to last year, fabric prices have surged by Rs100-150 per meter, making a standard six-meter suit costlier by Rs600-900.

Textile traders estimate that Eid sales of men's fabrics comprise 60% imported and 40% locally manufactured materials. Imported fabrics are primarily sourced from China, while locally produced fabrics originate from Kamalia and Faisalabad.

Due to reduced consumer demand and rising import costs, traders have restricted their procurement of foreign fabrics, and local mills have scaled down production, leading to a 30% increase in fabric prices compared to last year.

Cotton fabrics remain the top choice for Eid clothing due to their suitability for summer, whereas wash-and-wear fabrics, known for their durability and wrinkle resistance, are preferred for everyday wear. Colour preferences vary based on consumer demographics, with light shades such as white, sky blue, and off-white being the most popular for Eid. Younger customers, however, tend to gravitate towards darker tones, including deep blue, black, brown, and biscuit shades.