So I have never been to pakistan, don’t speak urdu and am pretty rushed to do some shopping before my cousin rabia’s wedding in lahore. This will be my first trip so i told my dad that as soon as we land [even before eating] I just want to do my shopping that way if i get sick at least my clothing is taken care of lol and I can rest at the hotel.
I have about 3 days to get an outfit for her mendhi, shaadi and valima before i take a flight from karachi to lahore. I have been told that just in case I should bring 3 outfits with me from home because at times the electricity is out and the markets are closed, or there’s a protest, riot, or political leader’s death that also may close the market. So do yall think that’s I should be careful and pack a few shaadi outfits just in case or are ppl just freaking me out for no reason?
I will be looking for ready-made salwar kameez bc I figured instead of special ordering something I’d rather just try things off from the rack. In houston i’ve seen tons of dresses that look nice on display but on me im like ohh this color aint so great and so forth so that’s another reason. I would also hate to walk around and be like darn why did i special order something when i really want the outfit on display… so i know how pakistanis hate readymade clothing but i’m opting for it since it’s my first time out there.
**Could someone kindly give me information regarding shops that have a nice selection of readymade outfits. Addresses will be appreciated.
Could anyone tell me where to go for bangles and necklace sets to match the outfits that i do buy?**
Then could someone possibly post a picture of how much I should paying for certain styles that would really help me budget my trip. I am willing to spend $200 max per outfit but if i can get readymade stuff cheaper than i’m all for it.
Also I will need to find a salon in karachi to do my mendhi before I head to Lahore for the mayyu and stuff bc I was told mendhi colors and designs are better in karachi than lahore. Is that true? If it isn’t then i’l just wait till I show up in lahore, i’m show both ways this texan will be impressed bc in houston it’s hard to find a nice mendhi artist with good designs and good color.
So girls any info you can give me would be totally appreciated. Help my confused half-istani self figure out the paki shopping scene. Thanks!
Also my dad asked me to get some gifts like perfumes for aunts and makeup kits for young girls. My cousin mentioned that girls from back home don’t care for smaller makeup kits like urban decay or something bc it’s all about quantity over quality. Meaning that they would prefer a big makeup kit with not so great makeup inside kinda like the stuff walmart sells around xmas time…is that really the case? I would hate to give crappy makeup…but that’s just me. maybe i’m overthinking hewhole thing and should care less.
You should pack a few formals, the loadshedding is pretty bad and it took the 'kaam-wala' 4 months to finish a single outfit of mine. You may want to cheack-out Threads and Motifs, Maria B, Aeisha Varsey, Samanzar, Deepak Pervani all have ready-to-wear formal clothes.
I saw really pretty formal outfits at Aeisha Varsey's and Deepak Pervani, you should be able to find nice stuff at The Designers as well..
Gulf Center, has bangle sets and jewellery that you can easily match with your outfits.
I'll mostly be repeating what Gina said :) You should visit Park Towers, The Forum, And definitely Zamzama for the clothes and Gulf for the Bangles. But if you don't speak any urdu, Gulf may give you a little problem :) But it's just bangles and small stuff you need to buy from their so hopefully it will go all easy breezy!
About the mehndi, Karachi may have better designs but I would still suggest you wait till you get to lahore, because no matter how good the mehndi of the color appears at first, it will wear out really quickly too. Just get the mehndi done a day before the event.
About the presents you want to get, it will depend on the person you are getting it for. Your cousin living here would probably know the 'girls' better than you do and I think she can advise you on what to get for each person.
Yeah these days there is also sale on Rizwan Moazzam they are designers and not as expensive as Deepak perwani and others.. on the other hand you can customize ur outfit by putting up expensive LACES and color the dupata and stuff.. Pretty nice stuff here.. you can also apply GAUTA in ur mehndi dress, it wod certainly look pretty..
For bangles, jewelry - gulf, tariq road is the best
Zamzama is amzing for slippers!! clothes are a bit expensive but they are nice!!
ASHIYANA-- I wod say it tops everything! the most amazing unstitched clothes are there
Forum and PArk towers dont have that much Bridal shops but you can roam arnd there.
There is other malls Millennium and Saima Mall which have a bit LOW stuff but if you search more you can find good stuff at good price.. specially jewelry!!
Currently in karachi, if you need any help u can also contact me!!
thanks for the help ladies! I am not a bride btw so I don't need to see bridals just trying to shop for readymade formal wear so that I wont look strange at her wedding in my indian clothing from houston. I have a deepak perwani outfit but it's a few years old and someone sent that for me, i wonder what are the price ranges in dollars for that kinda stuff. So that reminds me to check out his website and inquire through that i suppose?
can i get decent clothing for about 200 max per outfit?
You can get formals in that range. You can get outfits from 'kaam-wala's' that keep lots and lots of designer copies..and stitch them according to u're size. The work is pretty good too!
so this sucks but i'm leaving in a few hours, i hear the cyclone is going to mess up my shopping plans. anyone of yall in karachi know if the stores will be open on sunday or monday?