Ah…..fabric! The colours! The textures! The rampant confusion! Stepping into a fabric store or a mall for the first time can be an intimidating experience. In fact, some times the most passionate buyers can find themselves at loss.
The world of fabrics is full of variety; the two main types of fabrics being natural and synthetic. Natural fabrics are the best buy regardless of season, festival or occasion. They look pleasant and breathe better than synthetics. Once you’re hooked on them, you never look back, until, perhaps, when you are getting married and have to wear a fancy jora.
Natural fabrics
Linen is by far the best choice for summer wear, since it breathes wonderfully, and also gets softer after every wash. It comes in different textures, from sheer handkerchief type to thicker, denim-style, and is available in a variety of colours. Silk is also a wonderful natural fabric, though it is rather on the steep side.
Of all the natural fabrics, cotton is the safest bet because it is affordable, and is readily available in a wide range of colours and designs. Lawn, which can be either cotton or a blend, is perhaps the most popular summer fabric. Voil, with its fresh, cool prints is another favourite.
For winters, of course, the most popular fabric is wool which is also available in a variety of colours, weaves and textures.
Synthetic fabrics
Synthetic fabrics such as nylon, rayon and polyester, etc. are very uncomfortable in summers as they don’t breathe well (if at all), and are not a good choice for daily wear in the local climate.
The other types of fabrics used in our part of the world are blends and knits. Blends combine different properties and different fibres, which sometimes is a good thing as it provides crease resistance, durability, etc. Sometimes the result is awful (olefin fabrics, PVC coated polyester, etc. being some of the best, rather worst examples). Linen/cotton blends in particular are a fine example of good blended fabric. Blends of natural and synthetic fibres tend to be less expensive and easier to care for, but as they do not breathe well, should be reserved for winters. Knits, on the other hand are difficult to work with and are best if bought in ready-to-wear form.
The fabric tradition in Pakistan has been influenced by a number of factors, like geographical location, historical influences, climate, local culture, social customs, availability of the thread etc. A variety of silks, cottons, wools etc. have been used by local people, and the geo-climatic and ethnic diversity has given birth to a myriad of fabrics.
The local malls provide an array of textiles, materials and a vast colour palette.Tie and dye, hand printing and block printing are common across the country. Here is a brief overview of the local malls and what you should look for in your fabric shopping spree.
Rabi Centre
This sells a massive variety of fabrics. Hence girls, women and even men have some reason to be happy while walking down its corridors. One gets both traditional as well as the latest trends in fabrics here.
This shopping centre caters to all income levels and while it offers everything from fancy shimmering silks to good quality fine silk, georgette, cotton, chiffon and banarsi, it is the premium quality georgettes that bring the shoppers in droves.
Gulf Shopping Mall
This place is full of unstitched fabric, perhaps, not in the vast quantity as Rabi Centre, but enough to make it difficult to choose what to buy and what not. Cottons, banarsis, silks and georgettes in all qualities and prices are up for sale. Indian batik cottons are also available here, which are very different from other batik; if you love the feel of cotton but are searching for gorgeous intricate prints then this is the fabric for you.
The prices are mostly affordable and the mall caters to diverse income groups. Young girls prefer buying unstitched material from here and accessorising them with a matching bag and sandals or fancy chappals.
Aashiyana: If you are looking to get a best deal on silk, cotton or chiffon, this is the right place for you. The unique twisted silk yarn is also available here. “This high quality yarn is made by twisting three yarns together into one,” shop owner Ayaz Khan tells me. Brocades are also a very popular item here.
Jali, moon light, velvet and all sorts of net fabric are some of the other treasures available her. Fancy net fabric in printed and plain, rose net variety, net with moti dana and embroidery are some of the most sought after items. The best quality of chiffon is available in a vast variety and smart shoppers may find amazing bargains. Georgette are also close at hand; both in plain and printed as well as embroidered, embellished, block printed and in self prints.
Continental Trade Center: This is a sprawling fabric market, few steps away from Gulf that specialises in fancy festive fabrics. If you have a taste for brocade but a budget for polyester, this is the place for you. You can get everything here from chenille to corduroys, damask to silks, flannel to imitation and original silks, vinyl to woven fabrics.
Some other places to go fabric hunting are Papoosh in the old district of the city, Jubilee Bazaar in Saddar and the Pathan stalls at Sunday Market. If you are a khadi lover and cannot afford the designer brands, don’t worry –– there are alternatives. Khadi from the handlooms of Orangi and Banaras Town is sold at small shops in Mohammad Ali Society and there is a whole range of shops behind Jafferjee’s Clifton outlet. These khadi shops offer fairly affordable prices; a shirt piece of plain fabric here costs Rs150, the embroidered and embellished ones costs Rs250 and a three-piece suit costs anywhere from Rs300 to Rs650.
Pakistan has a rich and diverse weaving tradition. One can find different types of handlooms across the country, which offers us a huge variety of fabric. There is a glut of fabric items in the domestic market and the Pakistani textile and allied products are not only popular within the country but also have an enormous market abroad. Happy shopping!
