Tailor shops in Doha have started to see an increase in demand for thobes (Qatari clothing for men) as the start of the school year (2021-2022) approaches.

A number of tailors told local Arab daily Arrayah that there is demand from Qatari and expatriate parents, with the school year scheduled to start on August 29.
All outlets have a sufficient stock of ready-made fabrics and clothing for common sizes, as some parents prefer to buy ready-made clothes while others opt for tailor-made clothing for their children .
Although demand has increased in recent times, the price of fabrics of different varieties and the cost of tailoring have remained almost unchanged for a long time, the tailors said.
Prices for a coin range from QR35 to QR50, while most parents order around five to six thobes for each child. Tailors at many stores pointed out that the local market is full of stocks of affordable fabrics often imported from Japan, Indonesia, China, Thailand and other countries. The ready-made thobes could be sold for QR50 each for small sizes and QR65 for large sizes.
Mohamed Rashid, a tailor, said he even expects increased demand over the next few days as the back-to-school date draws closer.
Saleh al-Senadi, a parent, said the children are very excited to go back to school. Buying new clothes makes them happier. “However, parents must be careful to ask their children to respect precautionary and preventive measures against Covid-19,” he warned.
Mohamed Jamal, another tailor, said demand for new clothes increased after families returned from overseas after the summer vacation. He said the prices for a small thobe could go up to QR35, including the cost of tailoring and fabric prices and QR130 for a large thobe.
Abdulla Mohamed, a relative, pointed out that he personally opted for sewing thobes, as tailor-made models are of higher quality, although ready-made models are cheaper.