Sew or buy? The Christmas outfit dilemma facing Ghanaians

With Christmas approaching, the familiar question of what to wear for the festivities is once again taking shape for many Ghanaians: should they buy ready-made clothes or have a seamstress make an outfit to their taste?

For some, buying off the rack offers convenience and avoids the uncertainty of waiting for a tailor-made outfit that may not be ready on time.

Others, however, prefer custom-made clothes, which allow them to choose their fabrics, styles and designs.

But as the Christmas rush builds, seamstresses say the pressure to meet deadlines is not always entirely of their making.

Elizabeth Ockran, a seamstress, says some customers contribute to delays by bringing their fabrics too close to the festive season.

She explained that customers who submit their materials only a week or two before Christmas leave little time for seamstresses to complete their orders, particularly when several people are making similar requests.

“It's not that we are not able to sew. Sometimes the duration within which they bring their fabrics for us to sew makes it impossible for us to deliver on time,” she said.

For customers, however, getting their outfits ahead of the celebrations remains a major consideration.

Stephanie Ampong says timely delivery is particularly important during Christmas, when social gatherings and celebrations make people keen to look their best.

She wants her outfit completed early enough to avoid the anxiety of having nothing suitable to wear when the festivities begin.

“I would like the tailor to sew my dress on time because at Christmas, a lot of people will be expecting their things. I will expect my things earlier so that I will be assured that my things are ready for Christmas,” she said.

Ms Ampong added that dressing well for the season is part of the excitement of celebrating Christmas and welcoming the New Year.

With the festive season drawing closer, the race to secure the perfect outfit is already on. Seamstresses are asking customers to submit their fabrics early, while customers are counting on them to meet agreed deadlines.

For those who prefer the convenience of ready-made clothes, the shops offer an alternative. But for lovers of custom-made outfits, the hope is that their chosen designs will be ready well before Christmas Day.

So, as the celebrations approach, the question remains: will you be sewing or buying this Christmas?