Clothes Shopping in Doha
Let me start by apologising if this has been discussed before.
I'll be moving to Doha in the near future, from Europe, and will obviously need a new wardrobe ... I imagine jumpers and jackets in Qatar's heat are useless. Now I keep hearing Qatar is cheap but is that true for clothes shopping? Im talking about jeans, polo shirts, shoes (casual and formal), shirts, trousers, men's suits. I'd be looking for high quality products but brands aren't necessary. Is it better to do my shopping before I leave or do it in Doha?
Thanks in advance
i did all my shopping in london prior to comign here. i hate the shoppig here....u get cheap prices but quality is even cheaper. i find that debenhams and m&s and zara and mango too expensive compared to london and the variety is useless.
And when i need new clothes i always make a trip back to london...expensive but worth it.
Heh. Then again, it's pretty convenient to fly places, and shopping could certainly be added into the mix. I did this in Japan. I'd go to Singapore, or to Hong Kong, or to KL, and I wouldn't take many of my own clothes, but just purchase what I wanted to get and I'd wear those things on my trip.
Obviously that's a bit tougher if you're looking for office wear :D
you say:I imagine jumpers and jackets in Qatar's heat are useless... Do not forget, winters are cold here, and that's what exactly you will need during the winter time: jumpers and jackets..
I appreciate all your comments everyone. I guess the general consensus is to sort out my shopping beforehand.
ste, I think I'll give Asda a miss ;)
MancDave, quite surprised to hear that shopping is limited. I was in Qatar in August for a short 3 day trip but didn't have the time to sample the shopping centres/malls. My current wardrobe is more suited to Middlesbrough's weather and not Qatar's 50 degree heat...
Salam, Hi, Salut, Hola, Ciao
Since you're coming from Europe, I think you should do your shopping there....
In Doha you'll find most of the ready to wear shops:Zara, Massimo Dutti, Mango, Monsoon, Marks & Spencer, Next, Debenhams, H & M.... however, the range is very very very limited.
Till now, I couldn't find any of the Haute couture boutiques.
Regarding the prices, well, I don't agree with offwego07... I bought some pieces from Zara Spain and back to Doha I found the same pieces, ON SALE and 3 times more expencive!!!!!!!!!!!!
there is no variety, selection is extremly poor.. i always have a hard time while shopping, specially when it comes to jeans and office clothes. Quality of cheap things is very low (like Splash), high quality clothes is very expencive. Next, Zara or Mango's selection is poor. There is no the boutiques with unique designers clothes either.
Granted, I've not been shopping in the UK for 5 years now, but I walked into Debenham's and almost flipped over the high prices. Then again, I wasn't all that impressed with Marks & Sparks in Singapore either. 100 dollar trousers, for god sakes'.
I have heard, though, that you can have nice things made for you, including copying, for a fraction of the retail price.
Or you bring enough to get you started and go to Vietnam on holiday. You can get an entirely new wardrobe for maybe 200 quid...
Vyker,
The shopping here isn't a patch on Europe and North America, and the prices here for the same shops (M+S etc) in the UK are generally higher. One of the big disadvantages of the shopping here is that the malls all sell the same limited stuff, there is no variety and no high street so to speak which cuts the number of retailers down massively. Shopping here is beyond boring.
If you intend to buy quality stuff, prices are same a europe.
You hear from me … although here you can find cheap stuff in price but the quality is cheap as well!
I think the shopping is really good. There is everything you could want, debenhams, marks, next, h and m, monsoon etc. I have had a great time shopping since Ive been here.
go to 'George' at ASDA before ou arrive, after you've paid your rent it's all you will be able to afford
"only mad dogs and englishmen go out in the midday sun"
Not sure of your style of clothing...but buying clothes over here for me is a nightmare. They have Splash, Promod, and things like that. I never find anything I like and when I do...I feel it cost too much for what it is. There are certain places that are cheaper but I would shop at home and be done with it. Better to have clothes you are happy with than get here and not find anything.
My advice, You do have to go shopping before moving to qatar. just bring with you 2-3 pieces of the things that u like most in your word robe.I think the rest you get here. the prices here are in the cheapest, all depend on what quality means to you!
Have a nice time all the time !