The Countdown Has Begun
Tunisians, like Muslims everywhere, are getting ready to celebrate Eid al‑Fitr. Children are impatient to join the festivities in brand‑new clothes.
For Tunisian families, Eid preparations go hand‑in‑hand with shopping. Some seize the opportunity of sales to snag good deals. Others focus on the freshly unveiled new collections. In every case, the budget allocated for the occasion is the deciding factor.
Shopping for Eid Clothes
La Presse notes that buying Eid outfits has always been scheduled for the second half of Ramadan. However, to avoid crowds, some families prefer to complete the mission during the first days of Ramadan.
This is the case for the Ouertani couple, who have, for the past three years, bought their daughter’s Eid clothes at the very start of the holy month.
“Our daughter is five years old. In the first two years we didn’t buy her any dresses for Eid – she already had a heap of them! The dresses she received at birth were enough. But from the age of three we decided to purchase Eid outfits early to avoid the crowds and benefit from a larger selection,” explains Mrs. Ouertani.
This year, she and her husband headed to one of the well‑known boutiques praised for the quality of its imported products.
“I chose a retro‑style dress for her, which cost 185 DT; glossy shoes for 65 DT and a handbag for 30 DT,” she adds.
She stresses that, for ceremonies and Eid, nothing rivals high‑end imported products.
“Sure, there are Tunisian brands that offer quality items, but their range is limited to everyday wear, not to ceremonial attire,” she points out.
Branded and Second‑Hand Clothes
While Mrs. Ouertani favors imported garments for their distinct designs and quality, Ahlem, another mother, shares the same conviction with a few nuances.
Ahlem, a mother of three girls aged eight, two, and almost three, admits that she buys children’s clothing only from upscale thrift‑stores. The choice stems from the good quality of the pieces, many of which are from international brands.
“Kids aren’t very particular about their outfits. Stains, tears and scribbles happen unintentionally, damaging the clothes. Branded, imported second‑hand garments stand up to wear and tear better,” she confides.
Even for Eid, Ahlem sticks to her reference point.
“Eid clothes would cost me roughly 600 DT total – about 200 DT per child. At that price I would be perfectly confident about the quality of the garments purchased,” she adds.
A Budget of 600 DT per Child
It is clear that Tunisians prioritize quality despite the higher price tag. For them, a good product—whether imported, signed, brand‑new or second‑hand—is worth the investment.
Noureddine Ben Cheikh, an accountant, has two sons (18 and 17) and a daughter (11). As every Eid, he knows he will need to buy his boys branded espadrilles, which can raise the cost of a special‑occasion outfit to 500 DT–600 DT per child.
“I only give them this treat once a year! Branded espadrilles aren’t bought every day, and quality comes at a price,” he emphasizes.
For clothing, he tries to take advantage of sales to balance big expenses with good bargains.
“Discounts of 30 % and 40 % are opportunities you simply can’t miss,” he recommends.
Indeed, many consumers profit from this period. According to an anonymous seller in a boutique that specializes in branded clothing, the majority of children’s sales involve discounted items, while the new collection remains almost untouched.
A curious trend is that some shoppers benefit from European sales while still in Tunisia. Ali, a radio employee, has always taken advantage of international sales to dress his family.
“In the past I traveled a lot and used my trips to buy Eid clothes for my family. Now, even without traveling, I can rely on a trusted carrier to get great deals. Buying branded espadrilles on sale for €50 is better than paying 600 DT in Tunisian stores,” he admits.
A Father’s Duty
Regardless of the approach, buying Eid clothes for one’s children is a duty every father embraces with joy and good humor. The purchases made today become unforgettable memories tomorrow.
