Getting fitted for salwar kameez - maintaining modesty

One thing I find a little distressing about women's clothing in India is that they never use bust darts. Given that Indian women seem to be a little smaller on top compared to bottom than westerners it doesn't seem to be a problem for them but I found it hard to get anything ready made big enough across the top that wasn't flapping like a tent everywhere else. A really tight fit anywhere, in the heat, is not desirable but a lttle bit of shaping is nice and those darts facilitatate that.

I brought some fabric home with me, found a nice loosely fittting tunic top and drawstring pants, narrowed the ankles a little. I'm taking that back with me to give the tailors a model to work from. Tailors who measured me were always very careful to be very respectful, to the point of not getting anwhere close to accurate readings. They would probably love it if you were to do the measurements yourself and just give them the numbers.

oh, he's already on my radar, for some time now. I'll show you the paperwork we have on him. for a reasonable fee of course. If Nick is making a counter offer for them, then prices may tend to head north...... :-)

You have Experian & equifax there, we do it the old fashioned way here.

Actually I think that Nick may have a little rouge running here, you know the innocence that allows every lady to be completely open and welcoming, treating him like a brother, inviting him into the changing room, no sorry that is next week; one step at a time eh Nick me lad.

Hope I haven't blown your cover mate

Tailors are usually men. They have spent their life measuring women. A tailor who took advantage would not have a very long career. You do not have to disrobe whatsoever to be measured and they won't ask you to. Obviously if you have a sweater or shawl on, you should take it off.

Been sent on a number of shopping errands. But, as it happens I love all this colour and variety: better than an art gallery!

It's long been on my "if I win the lottery" list to own a sari shop! I lack many of the qualities needed to run a profitable business (perhaps I'm just too lazy) but, as daydreams go, selling beautiful things to beautiful women is a pretty good one

I saw a wonderful sari today: it had Arjun's Penance, that Mahabalipuram sculpture, embroided in gold on the Palav and was a fabulous deep purple. It was about Rs12,000. Luckily the one my GF wanted me to buy her was only just over Rs1000

Actually it is more than just the wonderful colours and textures: even the smell of Indian fabric shops is amazing.

Went to Chennai's "Lifestyle" exhibition today, and after an hour or so of wandering around furniture and household gadgets, arriving in the fabrics section was like a breath of fresh air! Anyone else get off on Indian fabric, or is it just me?

Mira, my rouge is not running, nor is my eyeshadow ...I think (hope) you meant ruse?


DD: I seem to remember taking some notes myself!

Whoa - I didn't realize there was an implied question of "Do you have to take your clothes off to be measured?" The answer is NO. I didn't even remove my dupatta.

tpthfft! So, that's how you want to play it, is it? let's air things in public and see who comes out for the better. :-)

Yes Nick 'Ruse' was the general thrust but as rouge has come into it and there has been this expression of desire about the Sari I have just had a vision of you collecting your shopping with a bunch of hijiras chasing after you.

hijiras? Translation?

Hijras = eunuchs, transsexuals, a "third gender" of the Indian subcontinent.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hijra_%28India%29

Like this?

Can't get your pic to enlarge so it's hard to tell, might just be a colorful tribesperson. The Wikipedia article has some external links at the bottom that will lead to picture sites. A search on hijra in this site's photo gallery might produce something as well. They're hard to miss once you know them, otherwise they'd be easy to overlook I imagine.

It's coming up much darker on the site, very small file to begin with.

It's not something you would want to make a mistake about. Maybe Nick will get an opportunity to find out as he flees with his armload of saris.