For many, wearing a panjabi during occasions like Eid and Pahela Baishakh is a must. However, buying the perfect panjabi can be daunting, especially when clothing stores are inundated with options in the lead-up to Eid and Boishakh.

Come to think of it, an ideal panjabi needs to tick three boxes: it should fit well, the material should be comfortable enough, and it should come in colours and designs you like.

Your options depend on your budget, whether you can easily find panjabis in sizes that fit you, and your tastes and preferences. While many people may prefer to purchase panjabis from the country's top clothing brands, others may choose to shop elsewhere, looking for more unique and cheaper alternatives. Some even prefer getting their panjabis tailored and customised.

During the festive seasons, the leading clothing stores of the country stock up on their collection of panjabis. One advantage of buying panjabis from these clothing brands is that they are readily available in showrooms and shopping complexes. Given how these panjabis are designed by the esteemed fashion designers of the country, they are usually aesthetically pleasing, with eye-catching patterns and embroidery. These clothing brands have a significant online presence, too, which adds the convenience of online shopping.

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On the downside, this option can prove to be quite expensive. Moreover, you may find yourself twinning with an acquaintance or random strangers on the street since many of these panjabis are mass manufactured, and the nice ones sell out quite fast. Brand stores stock up on what's trending and often have generic designs. If you are someone who likes to swim against the tide and be a touch unique, this might not be the ideal choice for you.

Buying panjabis from retailers not affiliated with brands can often be rewarding. Characterised by somewhat unique designs and lower prices, these panjabis may help you stand out. For this, you can visit Elephant Road, Badruddoza Super Market, Nur Jahan Super Market, and Sharif Market in old town, to name a few.  However, remember that you may need to pay close attention to the quality of the fabric you are buying, and oftentimes haggling with the salespeople is the only way to get a fair price.

Customised, tailored panjabis are also an option you can consider. If you want panjabis that fit you perfectly, with unique designs, this might be the best option for you. In addition, you get to determine what designs and embroidery you want. You have a degree of control over the quality of the fabric, too. Allah Karim Jame Moshjid Super Market near Mohammadpur bus stand and Mohammadia Market located in Mirpur-11 are good places to get a customised panjabi. Then again, this might end up being expensive, and you may need to order the panjabis a few weeks in advance, especially during the festive seasons. There may also be discrepancies in how you imagined the panjabi would turn out versus how it turns out on delivery.

While buying Panjabis, it may also help to consider how frequently you plan to wear it after the festive season is over. In that case, longevity, fabric quality, and comfort are more essential than other factors.

Bipra Prasun Das is highly dependent on his mom for shopping. Send him condolences at bipraprasun22@gmail.com