Tailors are a busy lot these days, working hard to create exquisite thobes (Qatari men’s dress) for customers and deliver them on time for the Eid al-Fitr celebrations.
While there has been a surge in the demand for tailoring services among Qatari men as well as children in the run-up to Eid al-Fitr, many customers complain that the prices are quite steep in some places, higher than what they usually are. Also, some tailors refuse to accept fabric bought from other shops and insist on using their own to make thobes. The cost of getting a thobe made by a tailor ranges from QR50 to QR180 and beyond, depending on the fabric, where it is bought from and other factors.
Justifying the rise in prices, tailors say it is a temporary measure taken to limit the number of customers as they have to follow a tight delivery schedule during this season. “It is not acceptable at all if we deliver a thobe to a customer after Eid or even on the day of Eid. It will be considered useless,” said an Asian tailor, adding that he has to hire more workers in this period to meet the high demand.
Working hours are also increased temporarily so that the tailors can cater to the surge in demand and deliver finished products on time. “As the run-up to Eid is the real season (for our business), it is common for us to put in extra effort during this period. We consider it as an ‘emergency’ as disappointing customers now will have a negative impact on our business in the long run,” said another tailor.
Usually, shops in key places such as Souq Waqif and other popular souqs charge more for their services than the smaller tailoring outlets located in remote and residential areas.
Many customers, though, are not deterred by the high prices charged by some tailors. “It is very difficult for me to change my tailor as he knows exactly what I want. Paying something like QR50 is nothing compared to having the right outfit for such an occasion,” said Ahmed, a young local.
Young men, who are particular about their appearance and keen to look their best, choose their thobes very carefully. Children are taken to tailors by senior members of their family so that they, too, can share the joy of wearing new clothes, particularly on the first day of Eid.
“It is very important to give children the right new clothes at least a couple of days ahead of Eid. Failure to do so greatly disappoints them and makes them very unhappy. Every year, I am keen to give them the best clothes – both the boys and girls,” said Abu Ali, a local, advising that it is better to start shopping at least 15 days before Eid to avoid higher prices and crowds.
Besides thobes, the market for leather sandals and slippers, perfumes and accessories such as fancy pens and buttons is also seeing a rush among locals.
