I need a good, cheap, tailor urgently. Can you recommend anywhere that does adjustments? I own loads of clothes that don’t fit properly and I can’t take them back now. My friend suggested I try to find a tailor to get my dresses altered to fit, but I don’t know where to go or what to ask for. Can you recommend somewhere?
Yes, we’ve all been there – hiding the shopping bags under the bed so you don’t have to admit to your nearest and dearest that you’ve just blown next year’s holiday money on cut-price designer togs that you’ll never wear. Actually, no, we haven’t really, but we understand your pain, so here’s how to get yourself a complete wardrobe full of perfectly fitting clothes. Hamdan Street is the epicentre of the city’s tailoring industry, where you’ll find a whole army of helpful folk ready and waiting with their sewing machines to fix up your stuff for a bargain price. For example, to have a hem taken up on a dress or a pair of trousers adjusted will only set you back about Dhs20.
For ladies clothes, head to Noor Al Balooshi which is great for adjustments, as they are always careful to make sure they know exactly what you want done. They also have a whole room full of buttons, lace ribbons, sequins, diamantes and almost every other spangly adornment you could dream up, so if you want something customised as well as amended, these are your guys. Next door, Blue Diamond is a popular place for custom-made abayas.
As for what to do, it’s pretty straightforward. Try on your clothes at home and make a mental note of exactly how and where you want it adjusted. The tailors will re-measure it in store, but it’s helpful for them to be given some direction, and you’ll need to decide a few specifics, for example if you want the skirt of your dresses A-line or straight and the size loose, fitted or tight. For small adjustments expect it to take a few days, and for more complicated work a week. Allow a day or two more if you’re planning to wear it on a particular occasion, so, if it’s not exactly right first time, you have time to get it re-altered. This is quite common by the way, so don’t panic if your dress is still too big when you go to collect it – tailors often err on the side of caution and won’t make it too small at first. They’re always happy to readjust until it’s perfect.
Now, it can be a little tricky to find these stores so here are the directions: Go to Al Jamal Opticians on Hamdan Street near Najda Street. Follow the side street back two blocks, past Masala Magic, and you’ll find Noor Al Balooshi Sewing Materials and Ladies Tailoring Est next door to Blue Diamond.
