Stitched or Unstitched? How to Choose Between Pret and Unstitched Suits in Pakistan
Ready-to-wear pret saves time; unstitched gives you the perfect fit and your own design. A practical comparison of cost, fit, timing and returns to help you pick the right one.
By Ali Hamza ·
Key takeaways
- Choose stitched (pret) when you need the outfit soon or your size matches standard charts.
- Choose unstitched when fit matters most, you want your own neckline and sleeves, or you have a trusted tailor.
- Remember the tailor’s time and stitching cost when you compare prices.
- Unstitched fabric can only be returned uncut; stitched pieces can be exchanged for size if unused with tags.
Buy stitched (pret) when you need something to wear soon and standard sizes fit you; buy unstitched when the fit and the design details matter most and you have a tailor you trust. Both are good choices — they solve different problems. Here is how to decide.
What each one is
Unstitched suits arrive as separate fabric pieces, usually a shirt (often with a separate embroidered front, back and sleeves), a dupatta and trouser fabric. Your tailor turns them into an outfit to your measurements.
Stitched, or pret, outfits arrive ready to wear in standard sizes, typically XS to XL, sometimes with a size chart in inches.
When stitched is the better choice
- You need it this week. A tailor can take days or weeks, especially before Eid and in wedding season.
- Standard sizes fit you. If S, M or L usually fits you well, pret is simple.
- Everyday and office wear. Stitched kurtis with trousers are quick, easy outfits. See stitched kurtis.
- You do not have a regular tailor. A bad stitching job can spoil good fabric.
Check the size chart against a kurti that fits you, as our size guide explains, and remember that stitched items can be exchanged for size within 7 days if unused with tags.
When unstitched is the better choice
- Fit matters. Unstitched lets your tailor follow your exact measurements, including length, sleeves and trouser width.
- You want your own design. Change the neckline, add a lace, choose a shalwar, trouser or sharara — the same fabric can become very different outfits.
- Formal and festive outfits. Many luxury collections in chiffon, organza and jacquard are sold unstitched. Browse the unstitched collection.
- Summer lawn. Unstitched lawn suits are a Pakistani summer tradition, and the choice of prints is wide.
Comparing the real cost
When you compare prices, add up the whole outfit:
- Unstitched: fabric + stitching charges + lining (if the fabric is sheer) + any lace or buttons.
- Stitched: the listed price; alterations only if needed.
Unstitched fabric often costs less on its own, but the finished outfit can cost about the same. The difference is in fit and freedom, not always in money.
Questions to ask before ordering unstitched
- How many pieces are included? A 3-piece has shirt, dupatta and trouser fabric; a 2-piece usually leaves out the trouser.
- Which pieces are embroidered? Some suits have an embroidered front and plain back and sleeves; others have embroidered sleeves or a border patch for the daaman.
- How long is each piece? The listing states it. Ask your tailor what they need for your size and design.
- Is the fabric sheer? Chiffon, organza, net and fine lawn need a lining, which may or may not be included.
- What is the dupatta fabric? It changes the look and the price: lawn, chiffon, silk, organza or jacquard.
Making pret fit better
Stitched outfits are cut for a standard body, so small adjustments are normal. The easiest alterations are shortening the shirt or trouser and taking in the side seams. Letting out a tight shirt is harder because there is little spare fabric in the seams, so if you are between sizes, the larger size is usually the safer choice. Keep the tags on until you have tried the outfit, so you can still exchange it for another size.
Lining and sheer fabrics
Unstitched sheer fabrics almost always need lining, and the choice of lining changes the look. A matching lining gives a solid colour; a contrasting or skin-toned lining lets the embroidery stand out. Ask your tailor to pick a soft, breathable lining for summer and a slightly heavier one for winter. In pret, check the listing for "lined" or "with inner" so you know whether a slip is needed.
Timing
Plan backwards from the event. For unstitched, allow for delivery, the tailor's queue and one fitting. Before Eid and during the wedding season, tailors get busy weeks in advance. If the date is close, pret removes that risk.
Returns: an important difference
Unstitched fabric can only be returned uncut and unused, so check the colour, fabric and piece lengths as soon as the parcel arrives, before it goes to the tailor. Stitched pieces can be exchanged for another size if unused with tags attached. Full details are in the return and refund policy.
A simple way to decide
Ask yourself three questions:
- Do I need it soon? → stitched.
- Is fit or a custom design important for this outfit? → unstitched.
- Do I have a tailor I trust and time to visit them? → if not, stitched.
Most wardrobes have both: pret for daily life, unstitched for the outfits that matter. Whichever you choose, read the fabric and piece details in the listing, and see how to buy lawn suits online for more buying tips.
Frequently asked questions
Is unstitched cheaper than stitched?
The fabric often costs less than a similar pret outfit, but once you add the tailor’s charges and lining the total can be similar. Unstitched wins on fit and design freedom, not always on price.
What does pret mean in Pakistan?
Pret (from prêt-à-porter) means ready-to-wear: the outfit arrives stitched in standard sizes, so you can wear it as soon as it is delivered.
How do I know how much fabric my tailor needs?
Ask your tailor for the shirt and trouser length they need for your size and design, then compare it with the piece lengths stated on the listing before you order.