When we received an invitation to a Pakistani wedding reception, we were excited but slightly daunted by the dress code: formal or traditional attire. Being American, we wanted to ensure we respected the cultural customs, so we confirmed with the bride and groom that wearing traditional dress was appropriate—and they warmly encouraged it. With that reassurance, we joined them at the local mall to shop for the perfect attire. However, the groom quickly pointed out that the shop we found didn’t have anything fancy enough for the grand event. So, a couple of days later, we set off on our own to Southall.
Not being particularly discerning shoppers when it came to items like shararas or grararas, we entered a corner shop that appeared to have wedding-appropriate clothing. We were greeted by the shopkeeper, and I asked if he had anything in my size—my frequent challenge when it comes to most places only selling normal-sized (petite) women’s clothing. He led us to a rack with outfits that fit and discussed the wedding and suitable colors for the occasion. He selected a long, embroidered purple dress sparkling with intricate details. To the fitting room!
Wrestling into the dress felt like navigating a tunnel of fabric. It was narrow but manageable, and I zipped it up. Stepping out, I mentioned that it felt a bit big on top. The shopkeeper kindly pointed out that I had put it on backward. So, I squeezed back into the tiny fitting room to correct my mistake. I backed out of the tunnel, turned, then went back in. This time, it fit correctly but was still too large. No problem—he brought out pins and marked adjustments while asking if I would be wearing heels. I assured him I wouldn’t, as I’m too tall for heels. He also suggested altering the length of the dress.
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| Fancy Shiny Long Tunnel Dress |
Then came the inevitable question: the price. With alterations included, I wasn’t sure it would fit within our budget. The shopkeeper asked what I could afford and promised he could work with it. However, the dress felt heavy, uncomfortable, and overly formal. After trying to escape from the dress one last time and calling Dan into the tiny fitting room to hold the dress up while I put my arms up and tried to sneak downward out of the tunnel, we tried again.
I asked if he had any two-piece shararas. He found one, but it was too small. We sifted through various sizes until we found a combination that fit—a top that suited my frame and a bottom that accommodated my hips. It was far more comfortable and much easier to wear, though my expression likely mirrored my usual shopping confusion.
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| Confused Shopper |
The shopkeeper met the top of our budget, so we purchased the outfit. However, slight alterations were still needed. He led us outside and around the side of the store to an alley but, unable to find what he was searching for on a Sunday, directed us to another tailor. His instructions were precise: head to the bus stop, turn left into a store, and go all the way to the back to find the specific tailor.
After briefly considering taking the outfit back to a tailor in the U.S., we decided to follow the directions. We missed the first entrance and went through another, winding our way to the last shop in the area. On our way, we discovered a jewelry store, where a kind shopkeeper matched my outfit with large green costume jewelry for only 10 GBP.
Finally, we reached the tailor, who took measurements and told us to return in 30 minutes. The alterations would cost 25 GBP. We passed the time by enjoying some curry and naan at a casual restaurant across the street.
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| Lunching Dan |
The adventure felt like stepping into another world—Southall, with its array of vibrant shops, tantalizing food, and bustling atmosphere, made us forget we were even in London. Now, with my sparkly, embroidered outfit ready, the final task is to find Dan a matching shirt or tie for the event. Here’s hoping my attire is appropriate and we’re ready to celebrate this special occasion in style!
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