So I’m not sure if this topic has ever really been discussed…but up to what point are you ok with paying “more” than what you think an outfit should cost?
I mean we all know, the cheapest route to desi clothes is to go buy it yourself if you’re in Pakistan. however, that isn’t always the easiest nor most practical…so majority of us overseas Pakis are left with either ordering online through vendors or buying locally or relying on relatives to send us stuff…and all of these options have pros and cons.
I know if I buy something from a vendor, it won’t be AS CHEAP as if I were to get it myself in pak, or make a relative go and do the shopping (which isn’t really an option)…so I don’t mind paying a little bit more (hell, even when I was in Pak, I gave proto some outfits for stitching and that was still much better than the stitching I had done from most places during my trip).
Also, buying from shops has additional cost on top of what the original price is, but what’s** reasonable** to me may be way too high for someone else.
BUT often you’ll meet someone who says…“oh you overpaid” when in reality…you’re not just paying for an outfit , you’re paying for convenience and to some extent peace of mind and–in the case of buying from a shop rather tahn online vendor–instant gratification. Don’t get me wrong, there shoudl be a reasonable expectation of how much “more” to pay…no way am I one of those who will pay hundreds for something when I know the market value of it… for example, I saw a “designer” selling a stitched Sana Safinaz lawn (that really popular peach one from this summer) for $250! When in reality, if it was priced at 8K for unstitched fabric, I wouldn’t pay more than $125 for it. (not sure of the last two numbers, but for arguments sake…)
Going to Pakistan is not an option for me. I just have distant relatives on my side and the relatives on hubby side are not into spending too much on clothes. They simply tell me that I'm getting ripped off everywhere or play mind games like no one wears that here anymore. They would rather have spend that Money on them.
Most relatives that go to Pakistan have their own agenda and will not get clothes for you. Even then you may not agree with their taste and can't argue on price with them. You will most often have to take Ahsaan. I stopped going to Pakistan for shopping. Usually when we went it was for weddings and meeting relatives. They would super offended if shopping was the only thing on my mind.
So actually if you live in a city like NY or Chicago you will find a lot of home based vendors. Depending where you look prices have really come down due to immense competition.
@sara some ppl will always tell you that you overpaid. I definitely check online and in shops to see what the going prices are for things. $250 is too much IMO for a lawn dress- regardless of whether it is designer or not. $250 should be able to buy you a fancy chiffon dress that you could wear to Shaadi function.
For me VALUE IS IMPORTANT. I always look at something and access if it looks like it is worth price. I even go to the dollar store and buy something if it has more value than the price. I simply won't buy something it is 10 cents but it is not even worth a penny.
Lots of ppl buy things so that they can brag that they paid so much for it. I always ask myself if the item looks like it is worth at least the asking price IF NOT MORE.
My in-laws always tell me i've paid too much for something.. eg like a fancy wedding outfit for rs15,000.. my SIL will say i could've made that for you in rs10,000... Yes she could have, but she never gets my clothes right. They always stuff up the color, or the type of kaam I ask for,or the fitting is off. And i know if i'm comfortable and confident in it, i'll wear it a few times, if not, i end up wearing my in-laws clothes once or twice and throwing them in the back of the wardrobe. Even my husband noticed that i am more comfortable in clothes that i bought online, and discourages me from getting in-laws clothes that are going to end up wasted.
My online experience has been really great so far.. i bought a heavy fancy suit from proto a couple of years ago for rs15,000. When i enquired about a the exact design in a shop in Liberty in Lahore, they quoted me rs14000.. so not much difference, and considering i didnt need to run around for it, i think it was really good value.
Hi, mind if i jump in with my first post. been following this forum for the last week. Am not of pakistani origin (malaysian) living in Indonesia. I would like to buy some nice outfits casual/semi-formal but dont cost too much. Where do overseas pakistanis normally shop online? The links i've found on google have been frightfully expensive. The facebook groups have yielded some possibilities but have limited catalogs for casual/semi formal stuff.
I think often I have paid way over the price I would have if I was buying directly but its just so much easier than asking someone else to get clothes for me from Pakistan. Online you can decide exactly what you want, it gets delivered to your doorstep (hopefully) and you have not had to involve anyone or cause any hassle. So yes, I don't mind paying maybe 25% extra if I really want something.
My in-laws always tell me i've paid too much for something.. eg like a fancy wedding outfit for rs15,000.. my SIL will say i could've made that for you in rs10,000... Yes she could have, but she never gets my clothes right. They always stuff up the color, or the type of kaam I ask for,or the fitting is off. And i know if i'm comfortable and confident in it, i'll wear it a few times, if not, i end up wearing my in-laws clothes once or twice and throwing them in the back of the wardrobe. Even my husband noticed that i am more comfortable in clothes that i bought online, and discourages me from getting in-laws clothes that are going to end up wasted.
My online experience has been really great so far.. i bought a heavy fancy suit from proto a couple of years ago for rs15,000. When i enquired about a the exact design in a shop in Liberty in Lahore, they quoted me rs14000.. so not much difference, and considering i didnt need to run around for it, i think it was really good value.
Hi Can you tell me where you ordered from...what is proto?, do they have a website or a link?...plz help, im loking for clothes for an upcoming wedding. thanks
