When Pakistani women shop for kurta sets online, they typically face two options: ready-to-wear (pret) or made-to-order. Most brands push pret because it is easier to manage — produce in bulk, ship fast, done. But there is a growing number of women choosing made-to-order, and for good reason.
Here is an honest breakdown of both options.
What is Ready-to-Wear (Pret)?
Ready-to-wear kurtas are produced in standardised sizes — usually XS through XXL — and kept in stock. When you order, the brand ships you whichever size you selected. The process is fast: order today, receive in 2–4 days.
The appeal is obvious. But the limitation is equally obvious: your body is not a standardised size. A woman who is a large in chest measurement might be a medium in waist. Standard sizing cannot accommodate that.
Most women who buy pret kurtas have at least one of these experiences:
- The kurta fits the chest but is too loose in the waist
- The sleeves are too short or too long
- The shirt length is not quite right for their height
- The trouser is the right size but the rise is off
These are not edge cases. These are the everyday reality of standardised sizing applied to the enormous variety of women's bodies.
What is Made-to-Order?
Made-to-order means the garment does not exist until you order it. Your measurements are taken after purchase, and a tailor cuts the fabric and stitches the piece specifically for your body.
Nothing is kept in stock. Nothing is waiting in a warehouse. Your kurta is made for you, from scratch, in the exact dimensions you provide.
The 5 Key Differences
1. Fit
This is the most significant difference. A made-to-order kurta is stitched to your chest, waist, hips, and preferred shirt length. It fits the way a good tailor-stitched piece should — not the way a standard-sized piece hopes to.
2. Sizing Flexibility
Ready-to-wear stops at XXL in most brands, and plus sizes are often afterthoughts with less fabric allowance. Made-to-order has no upper size limit. At Sachi Vera, we stitch from XS to any size above XXL — because we cut to your measurements, not to a template.
3. Production Timeline
Ready-to-wear ships in 2–4 days. Made-to-order takes longer — at Sachi Vera, most orders are ready within 7–10 working days after measurements are confirmed. If you need something urgently, pret may suit you better. If you are planning ahead and want the piece to fit correctly, made-to-order is worth the extra days.
4. Waste
The fashion industry's biggest environmental cost is unsold inventory — garments that are produced, stored, discounted, and eventually discarded. Made-to-order eliminates this entirely. Nothing is produced until it is purchased. This is one of the reasons Sachi Vera operates exclusively on a made-to-order model.
5. Price Point
Made-to-order is not necessarily more expensive than pret. At similar quality levels, custom-stitched pieces from independent brands like Sachi Vera are often comparable in price to mid-range pret from larger brands — without the fit compromise.
Who Should Choose Made-to-Order?
Made-to-order is the better choice if:
- You have struggled to find pret that fits well across all measurements
- You are above a standard XXL or below a standard XS
- You want a piece that will last because it fits you properly
- You are comfortable with a 7–10 day production window
- You value low-waste, intentional fashion over fast fashion
Ready-to-wear may suit you better if:
- You need something within the next 2–3 days
- You are between standard sizes and generally find pret fits you well
- You prefer to return items if they do not fit (note: made-to-order is non-returnable)
How Made-to-Order Works at Sachi Vera
The process is straightforward:
- Browse and choose your kurta set or dress on sachivera.com
- Checkout and pay 30% advance via bank transfer
- Within 24 hours, our team WhatsApps you a measurement guide
- Share your 5 measurements — we guide you if you are unsure
- Our tailors cut and stitch your piece from scratch
- Your order is dispatched within 7–10 working days
- Pay the remaining 70% on Cash on Delivery when your parcel arrives
If there is any stitching error or the measurements do not match what you provided, we fix it at no cost.
Ready to try made-to-order? Browse Sachi Vera's latest kurta sets — custom stitched in Lahore, delivered across Pakistan.
