When i was a kid, this is the man who made all our clothes. The Ladies Tailor,whom you found on every street, ever nook and corner of every city.
He had this huge collection of bound books full of the most intrinsic designs. A separate book for necklines, a separate one for needle work, a separate one for sleeves, a separate one for hem lines and the rest.
Remember, this was the 80’s. And Television was a luxury that broadcast very little glamour. The closest we got to glamour was at the Ladies Tailor – with his pattern books full of lovely ladies.Or so they seemed that way, at that time.
The Ladies Tailor had the gift of the gab. The ability to make females of all ages feel like attractive women.
“yeh style aap pe bahut acha lage ga” “aap ekdum hema malini lagogi” (this style will look great on you, you will look like Hema Malini (a leading filmstar)
And today they are a dying breed. Maybe, they still exist in smaller towns, but in places like Mumbai it is no longer economical. Unlike yesteryears, ready mades today fit well. There is a sense of finish in the clothes. And of course you get to try them on. And most important of all you get great designs at affordable prices. Unlike 25 years ago where it was very much the take it or leave it zamana.
I still sometimes go to a ladies tailor – especially when my grandom or someone sends me material. And everytime i do, and he opens up his book of designs – i get tranported back some 20 odd years (has it been so long). yeh style aapko ekdum acha lagega, aap bilkul Kareena kapoor lagogi. The only thing that Kareena and I have in common is that we are female and citizens of India 🙂 But, I just laugh and enjoy the journey 🙂
great post, it’s sad to see the “ladies tailor” going out of fashion.
Hi Akshay
tnx.
great pun 🙂
They are very much alive in certain major cities like Hyderabad, and used extensively even now. It could be that Mumbai has no place for them. That does not mean they are gone.
dying bread. not extinct yet.
hyderabad is slightly behind mumbai in its economic/social cycle. it will catch up.
and i too use the ladies tailor for special occassions. but every day where comes off the rack. far more effective for me 🙂
Guess the Ladies tailor’s don’t “fit” anymore in the average joe’s lifestyle in metros! Love the picture and the write-up! Brings back memories of going to “Gents Tailor” for giving measurement!Something struck me as ironical. People who can’t afford readymade clothes use “Tailors” to stitch clothes customized by size/color and pattern.People who have lots of money(celebrities) use “Tailors”(only they are called Fashion Designers now) to stitch clothes customized to their size,taste etc.
ha! now I know why the last time I bumped into you, you seemed familiar – you look just like kareena Kapoor – the same two eyes, one nose, one mouth – the same symmetry to the body – one right hand and one left and oh, I could go on and on 🙂
but I loved this post – the specialist in gents and ladies tailor is such a thing from the past… and I hate it when anyone gives me “dress material” now! the search for a good tailor goes on and on…
But they still stitch Blouses right?