Shopping in Delhi

bsplondon · Jan 12th, 2009, 01:46

good afternoon all,

In a couple of weeks time me and my wife are going to be heading to Delhi. My sister in law is getting married, so my wife wants us to go out and buy the perfect indian outfits for us to wear.

I am wondering if there is anyone out there who has been shopping in Delhi for clothes, and if someone can give us useful ideas of where to go and can give us some helpful hints and tips for shops and areas to visit as well as hotels to stay at.

My wife is looking for outfits in the region of around 10,000INR to 12,000INR each, but the positive is she wants to buy quite a few for future wedding occasions, so bargaining power is great.

Thanks anyone for help!

Haylo · Jan 12th, 2009, 02:05

By "Indian outfit" do you mean your wife is looking for a salwar kameez or a sari?

At Nalli Silk Saris, a fixed price shop which has a three branches in Delhi, she will get a GORGEOUS silk sari for far less than her budget.

bsplondon · Jan 12th, 2009, 02:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by Haylo

By "Indian outfit" do you mean your wife is looking for a salwar kameez or a sari?

At Nalli Silk Saris, a fixed price shop which has a three branches in Delhi, she will get a GORGEOUS silk sari for far less than her budget.

She is looking for both, a fair selection lets say.
Is there further recommendations?

indiaprof · Jan 12th, 2009, 02:17

Unless your wife fits a rather small, slim size, you'll need to have her clothes tailored, as sari bodices and salwar tops are fitted clothing. You start at a cloth shop or salwar shop, and the process takes about 2-3 days, depending on how elaborate the work is, and how many outfits you're ordering. Prices vary a lot, depending on material, the location and clientele of the shop, etc.
There are shops in most British cities, in the Indian neighborhoods, that will run up a salwar for you, but it might be rather costly compared with what you would pay in India. More like the price of nice Western clothes.

bsplondon · Jan 12th, 2009, 02:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by indiaprof

Unless your wife fits a rather small, slim size, you'll need to have her clothes tailored, as sari bodices and salwar tops are fitted clothing. You start at a cloth shop or salwar shop, and the process takes about 2-3 days, depending on how elaborate the work is, and how many outfits you're ordering. Prices vary a lot, depending on material, the location and clientele of the shop, etc.
There are shops in most British cities, in the Indian neighborhoods, that will run up a salwar for you, but it might be rather costly compared with what you would pay in India. More like the price of nice Western clothes.

Well we are rather open to travelling to other places in India, so you have a recommendation of where we should go?

Haylo · Jan 12th, 2009, 02:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by indiaprof

Unless your wife fits a rather small, slim size, you'll need to have her clothes tailored, as sari bodices and salwar tops are fitted clothing.

Sari blouses are usually tailored anyway, and certainly anything of the price range we're talking about here would be.

All but very cheap saris come with a matching blouse piece, which is a section of fabric to have the blouse made from. It is either roughly tacked to the end of the sari, or it comes as an extra piece woven onto the other end of the sari to the pallau. This extra piece needs to be cut off the end and given to a tailor.

indiaprof · Jan 12th, 2009, 02:58

My wife wears nothing but salwar kamiz, and we live in the US, where it costs about $90 and up for an outfit. When I go to India, we have lots of clothes made for her, or if she can't come with me, I do it for her.

My work takes me to Chennai, usually, and I shop in Ranganathan Street, which is probably the best cloth bazaar in India in terms of quality, choice, and prices. You can buy the cloth and get everything sorted out right there. Feel free to contact me directly for tips on how to arrange it.

sgodfrey · Jan 12th, 2009, 05:26

Hi All:

I, too, am traveling to India, starting in Delhi and I wanted to buy a salwar kameez to wear on the remainder of my trip when dressing up to dine. Is it possible to buy one--do they have to be fitted as well (I am an American)--if I am in Delhi for only two days? Suggestions as to where? We are staying near Connaught Place.

indiaprof · Jan 12th, 2009, 05:33

You can get several "suits" as they sometimes call them made up in a couple of days, but you'll pay extra for the rush.

I would suggest buying more than one salwar (a simple outfit will run you about $10-$15, may be more in Connaught Place). You'll be sweating a lot in India, and you'll want to have several changes of clothes, since sending things out to be washed sometimes takes several hours or a day. Plus, laundry services in India are hard on your clothes. The more you have, the longer they'll last. That said, salwar kamiz don't take up that much room in your luggage.

My wife loves hers. She basically chucked out all her Western clothes and rigged herself out deshi-style, about ten years ago, and never went back.

When buying salwar kamiz, however, be aware that the shop-owner will try to sell you all of the ugly stuff he can't sell to anyone else. Do not feel obligated to buy. Indicate what you're interested in, and he'll quickly start bringing out fabric that suits your tastes. Be as fussy as you want. It's all part of the process. And, as stated in the other posts, it's fairly modular. Textile manufacturers make "pieces" that you choose from - designs, basically - and then the cloth shop owner takes your measurements and has everything made up to fit you by his tailors. Be aware, however, that many fabrics look fine in the shop, but when worn are essentially see-through. A good shop-owner will alert you to the ones that will need a lining, but that's easily taken care of. They simply sew in a very thin cotton liner that eliminates the see-through effect and makes your salwar a presentable garment.

You'll want to pay attention to the stitching of the top part, though, especially under the arms. That's often the stitching that blows out first. Ask to see some of the tailors' work and test the underarm stitching. If they see you do this, they'll know you mean business.

Sometimes, too, it's fun to buy a sari and have a salwar kamiz made out of it, since sari fabrics often are more interesting than salwar fabrics. Indian women do this all the time, and the shop owners understand the process. They'll tell you whether a particular piece of cloth will work for this or not.

vintravels · Jan 13th, 2009, 01:05

u could check out Fabindia !!

Valini · Jan 13th, 2009, 01:43

You should go to Karol Bagh market in delhi. The metro goes stragiht there and there is a large main high street full of indian 'party wear'.

You can find everything from saris, salwa kameez, sherwani suit, western mens suits with an indian touch, matching bangles and shoes... the lot!

There really is a great selection of shops and just walking up and down the high street you'll have no trouble finding one to suit you and at many dfferent prices depending on your budget. Since you have rather large budget you'll be sure to find an exquisite outfit.
enjoy

mridula · Jan 13th, 2009, 02:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by bsplondon

Well we are rather open to travelling to other places in India, so you have a recommendation of where we should go?

I love shopping in Jaipur. Not only cloths but jewellery too.

Haylo · Jan 13th, 2009, 02:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by vintravels

u could check out Fabindia !!

While Fabindia might not be the ideal place to find a Rs 10,000 to 12,000 special outfit for a wedding, I have bought a lot of "everyday" clothing from there. Especially on my first trip to Delhi in mid summer, I appreciated having somewhere air conditioned to try clothes on.

greigite · Jan 14th, 2009, 14:36

Ahmedabad (Gujarat) is definitely not a tourist city, but the textile industry is huge and prices are low- much lower than Delhi. It's interesting to visit as it's not at all oriented towards tourists so you won't get the same hassles as in Delhi/Rajasthan, and you get a better sense of life in Indian cities. Downside: much much less English signage than in Delhi. It helps to know a few Gujarati words, esp. numbers.

rhill1 · Jan 14th, 2009, 15:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by indiaprof

My wife wears nothing but salwar kamiz, and we live in the US, where it costs about $90 and up for an outfit. When I go to India, we have lots of clothes made for her, or if she can't come with me, I do it for her.

My work takes me to Chennai, usually, and I shop in Ranganathan Street, which is probably the best cloth bazaar in India in terms of quality, choice, and prices. You can buy the cloth and get everything sorted out right there. Feel free to contact me directly for tips on how to arrange it.

Hey Prof,
do you get quality suits made for you? Cost? 100% wool?
Cheers!
rhill1

Jan 12th, 2009, 01:46	#1
bsplondon Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: London Posts: 7	Shopping in Delhi good afternoon all, In a couple of weeks time me and my wife are going to be heading to Delhi. My sister in law is getting married, so my wife wants us to go out and buy the perfect indian outfits for us to wear. I am wondering if there is anyone out there who has been shopping in Delhi for clothes, and if someone can give us useful ideas of where to go and can give us some helpful hints and tips for shops and areas to visit as well as hotels to stay at. My wife is looking for outfits in the region of around 10,000INR to 12,000INR each, but the positive is she wants to buy quite a few for future wedding occasions, so bargaining power is great. Thanks anyone for help!

Jan 12th, 2009, 02:05	#2
Haylo Structural Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Middle East and heading Easter Posts: 5,804	By "Indian outfit" do you mean your wife is looking for a salwar kameez or a sari? At Nalli Silk Saris, a fixed price shop which has a three branches in Delhi, she will get a GORGEOUS silk sari for far less than her budget. __________________ The world is mud-luscious and puddle-wonderful - E.E. Cummings, poet (1894-1962)

Jan 13th, 2009, 01:05	#10
vintravels Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: new delhi Posts: 9	oops...just a recommendation u could check out Fabindia !!

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Jan 12th, 2009, 02:17	#4
indiaprof Account Closed Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: In the past, most of the time Posts: 820	Unless your wife fits a rather small, slim size, you'll need to have her clothes tailored, as sari bodices and salwar tops are fitted clothing. You start at a cloth shop or salwar shop, and the process takes about 2-3 days, depending on how elaborate the work is, and how many outfits you're ordering. Prices vary a lot, depending on material, the location and clientele of the shop, etc. There are shops in most British cities, in the Indian neighborhoods, that will run up a salwar for you, but it might be rather costly compared with what you would pay in India. More like the price of nice Western clothes.

Jan 12th, 2009, 02:58	#7
indiaprof Account Closed Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: In the past, most of the time Posts: 820	My wife wears nothing but salwar kamiz, and we live in the US, where it costs about $90 and up for an outfit. When I go to India, we have lots of clothes made for her, or if she can't come with me, I do it for her. My work takes me to Chennai, usually, and I shop in Ranganathan Street, which is probably the best cloth bazaar in India in terms of quality, choice, and prices. You can buy the cloth and get everything sorted out right there. Feel free to contact me directly for tips on how to arrange it.

Jan 12th, 2009, 05:26	#8
sgodfrey Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: new jersey Posts: 14	Hi All: I, too, am traveling to India, starting in Delhi and I wanted to buy a salwar kameez to wear on the remainder of my trip when dressing up to dine. Is it possible to buy one--do they have to be fitted as well (I am an American)--if I am in Delhi for only two days? Suggestions as to where? We are staying near Connaught Place.

Jan 12th, 2009, 05:33	#9
indiaprof Account Closed Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: In the past, most of the time Posts: 820	You can get several "suits" as they sometimes call them made up in a couple of days, but you'll pay extra for the rush. I would suggest buying more than one salwar (a simple outfit will run you about $10-$15, may be more in Connaught Place). You'll be sweating a lot in India, and you'll want to have several changes of clothes, since sending things out to be washed sometimes takes several hours or a day. Plus, laundry services in India are hard on your clothes. The more you have, the longer they'll last. That said, salwar kamiz don't take up that much room in your luggage. My wife loves hers. She basically chucked out all her Western clothes and rigged herself out deshi-style, about ten years ago, and never went back. When buying salwar kamiz, however, be aware that the shop-owner will try to sell you all of the ugly stuff he can't sell to anyone else. Do not feel obligated to buy. Indicate what you're interested in, and he'll quickly start bringing out fabric that suits your tastes. Be as fussy as you want. It's all part of the process. And, as stated in the other posts, it's fairly modular. Textile manufacturers make "pieces" that you choose from - designs, basically - and then the cloth shop owner takes your measurements and has everything made up to fit you by his tailors. Be aware, however, that many fabrics look fine in the shop, but when worn are essentially see-through. A good shop-owner will alert you to the ones that will need a lining, but that's easily taken care of. They simply sew in a very thin cotton liner that eliminates the see-through effect and makes your salwar a presentable garment. You'll want to pay attention to the stitching of the top part, though, especially under the arms. That's often the stitching that blows out first. Ask to see some of the tailors' work and test the underarm stitching. If they see you do this, they'll know you mean business. Sometimes, too, it's fun to buy a sari and have a salwar kamiz made out of it, since sari fabrics often are more interesting than salwar fabrics. Indian women do this all the time, and the shop owners understand the process. They'll tell you whether a particular piece of cloth will work for this or not.

Jan 13th, 2009, 01:43	#11
Valini Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Bdx,FR--Kanpur Posts: 391	You should go to Karol Bagh market in delhi. The metro goes stragiht there and there is a large main high street full of indian 'party wear'. You can find everything from saris, salwa kameez, sherwani suit, western mens suits with an indian touch, matching bangles and shoes... the lot! There really is a great selection of shops and just walking up and down the high street you'll have no trouble finding one to suit you and at many dfferent prices depending on your budget. Since you have rather large budget you'll be sure to find an exquisite outfit. enjoy

Jan 14th, 2009, 14:36	#14
greigite Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: California Posts: 10	Ahmedabad (Gujarat) is definitely not a tourist city, but the textile industry is huge and prices are low- much lower than Delhi. It's interesting to visit as it's not at all oriented towards tourists so you won't get the same hassles as in Delhi/Rajasthan, and you get a better sense of life in Indian cities. Downside: much much less English signage than in Delhi. It helps to know a few Gujarati words, esp. numbers.