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Renata
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Renata
Post Number: 445
Registered: 08-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, January 19, 2006 - 10:36 am: | 
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...and anyone else who's been to West Africa:
There's a shop near here owned by a Cameroonian guy where he sells gorgeous clothing that he buys directly from Cameroon. I don't think he buys retail, because no two pieces are the same, and he has very few clothing items. The outfits are $65 to $125.
There's another shop with (drools) Ghanian clothing (and other stuff). (You can tell that Ghanian women think of themselves as goddesses since they adorn themselves so well). The outfits are maybe $150 to $500. But WOW, too gorgeous ... what may be considered "Eid" clothing. The Gambian outfits are MUCH cheaper, $35 to $75. There are many similar outfits, and too much clothing for him to have bought it retail (IMO), so I think it's wholesale.
Question: approximately how much does clothing usually cost in Cameroon, Ghana, and Gambia? Name other countries prices also if you know. |
Jackie
Veteran Poster
Username: Jackie
Post Number: 58
Registered: 04-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, January 19, 2006 - 01:46 pm: |
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The prices are always inflated when the outfits are sold in the states. In Ghana, one can buy one of these gorgeous outfits for $10 to $20 and sometimes less. If you're lucky you can find a seamstress to make one for you too.( Ghanians use cedis for monetary exchange). I could only see paying two to three hundred dollars for the original woven(not printed) kente cloth because royalty wears that in Ghana. Other than that anything over $150 is too much. |
Renata
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Renata
Post Number: 446
Registered: 08-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, January 19, 2006 - 04:05 pm: |
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Thanks for that information. I knew that they inflated the prices, I just wanted to know how much, so I'll know if I'm getting gypped or not. I'm willing to pay maybe 60 or 70 for an outfit that cost only $10 US, because I understand about the cost of getting it here, the profit, etc., but I'm not willing to pay $150 and up for items that only cost $10. The more expensive ones are the ones with sheer fabric that has metallic thread woven in with it, layers, and come with the top, skirt, and headwrap.
Maybe I'll just stick with the Gambian clothing.
But at those prices (for Ghana), I seriously need to just find some friends in Ghana who can get them for me. |
Anonymous
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, January 19, 2006 - 08:43 pm: |
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not all the kente cloth are $ 10.00 or $20.00 in ghana................ the real kente are very expensive that goes for the nigerian lace.... people paid a lot for these clothing in ghana and nigeria. although there are people selling fake kente and lace but not all are cheap it all depends on the fabric and material....those kente cloth that their chiefs wear are not cheap at all........ ( i know this cuz i lived in ghana and nigeria ) i don't know anything about gambia. |
Dahomeyahosi
Newbie Poster
Username: Dahomeyahosi
Post Number: 6
Registered: 01-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, January 19, 2006 - 08:43 pm: |
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As Jackie said you can buy quality tailored clothing for much, much less in West Africa. In Benin and Senegal you can get contemporary and traditional styles for well under $40. Of course the more elaborate designs and fabrics will cost you more. |
Renata
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Renata
Post Number: 451
Registered: 08-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, January 19, 2006 - 09:28 pm: |
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Speaking of seamstresses (seamster?), I used to wear my African clothing often when I used to work, and twice on the train, had African men approach me and give me their card. They sewed custom women's African clothing.
I asked a friend of mine about it (she's lived in Nigeria, Ghana, Gambia, and Liberia, and lives in London now), and she said that it's quite common for men to sew women's clothes there because they know what they like women to look like.
I found that interesting. |
Renata
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Renata
Post Number: 452
Registered: 08-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, January 19, 2006 - 09:30 pm: |
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It's also interesting because we're quick to rush to a tailor or throw away a clothing item if it so much as loses a button or come undone at the hem. |
Jackie
Veteran Poster
Username: Jackie
Post Number: 59
Registered: 04-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, January 19, 2006 - 09:48 pm: |
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Anonymous, I didn't write that kente cloth was $10 to $20. Reread my post please. Kente Cloth is very expensive. I have some, the original hand woven one. In any event, Renata I hope you find what you're looking for. |
Anunaki3600
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Anunaki3600
Post Number: 135
Registered: 04-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, January 20, 2006 - 03:49 am: |
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Afrikans should not buy anything (except food) without bargaining with the merchant who is selling the product. In Africa, we bargain for everything (except food). We will bargain for a ring, necklace, carving, cloth, drawings, etc. There is no fun in shopping without you bargaining. Thats why some of the prices seem so high. The merchant expects you to bargain with him/her. I would suggest start your buying price at least 60% below marked price and you will bargain up and he/she down. Goodluck. |
Anonymous
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, March 06, 2006 - 04:09 pm: |
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