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Brands in, tailors out

Demand for ready-mades is more

Stepping into tailoring shops with cloths of bewitching combinations chosen from textile shops after enormous care, poring over glossy magazines on latest trends, giving measurements suiting the body curves taken, returning after a week or so with accumulated anticipation to collect the stitched clothes that would rev up the personality... Simple pleasures of getting the choicest dress made to order are, alas, not so relevant today what with the present day youth's craze for trendy ready-to-wear garments.

Yet, tailors have not become an extinct breed. Those who have stamped their mark of goodwill and professionalism are here to stay, despite all odds and tough competition. They continue to enjoy the patronage of their select and loyal customers who still prefer tailor-made clothes than the free for all ready-mades. Though the city's numerous tailoring shops try to keep abreast of latest designs and styles, there is little doubt that the advent of brand shops selling readymade garments has impacted their business significantly, moreso in the past decade.

Dwindling number

Many tailoring units have unfortunately even closed down. The dwindling number of tailoring shops in and around the Singarathoppu area is a telling indicator. From 100-odd in the early 90s, there are only half the number left today. Another indicator is the status quo on stitching charges for past five years at least: Rs. 120 for trousers and Rs. 60 for shirts.

As it is getting business is difficult, so tailors cannot even imagine increasing their charges. "For beginners, it can be really tough," acknowledges M. Joseph Jeyapaul, Proprietor, Chakra Fashioners.

For the city's fashion freaks, readymade garments are fast becoming the natural choice. Purchasing the labelled brand names from within the cool comforts of glitzy showrooms is a different experience altogether and mostly youths swarm these showrooms as prospective customers.

"However, many office-goers," say the tailors, "may prefer ready-made cotton shirts but are wary of cotton trousers. The formal stitched wear made from polyester tends to give a crumpled fall or the lining disappears after wear and tear, which people do not like. Even the size is not accurate. So people prefer stitched pants."

Sine readymade shirts are also all uniform in design, the tailors try to take advantage of the situation and give their potential customers some exclusive or exquisite design. Even though these shops may not be able to expand their business exponentially, they are also unwilling to die soon. The tussle is on and so are the ubiquitous "masterji's".

R. KRISHNAMOORTHY

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