Textile Merchant

Textile Merchant

Today it would be difficult to find a textile merchant along Serangoon Road. Shops common in the 1960s-1980s have all but disappeared in today's world.

Why? What is the reason for this change?

Talking to the current store keepers helps us understand the context of what has happened over time. While in the past, it was common for people to visit textile merchants and purchase bales of cloth, this is not so today. In the past, many women would buy cloth to go home and sew. They would sew shirts, pants, dresses and blouses as well as clothes for special occasions.

Today, how many of our parents or relatives own a sewing machine? How often do we mend little tears in our clothes? Sewing at home is no longer common. In our modern world, few of us go out to buy cloth. Instead, we want to purchase clothes that we can try on and wear straight away.

To meet the needs of new consumers, the store owners along Serangoon Road have had to change as well. While a few shops still have some textiles, most only sell ready made outfits. Most shops also cater specially to non-Indian consumers who are keen to purchase Indian outfits for parties or a special occasion.

Designs of many of these outfits are no longer traditional. While the material may be ethnic, designs today follow the modern trends.

Do you own an Indian costume? Do you know someone who does? What does it look like?