Costume shopping in Khan el Khalili, Cairo Egypt.
The famous Yassers
This is a shop I had heard about many times and only managed to find on this trip to Cairo.
Yassers is a behind the main street and runs parallel to it. Probably best found if you look from El Fishaweys. Fishaweys is known to everyone in the khan and according to urban legend, has been open continuously for 600 years!
El Fishaweys – Khan El Khalili (I hope I spelt that write!) A fun place to rest from your shopping and to orient yourself.
Yassers has a big sign above the door and is a tiny shop, upstairs you will find the costumes packaged and organised on shelves according to price. I think costumes were from 500 to 1500LE (I am just guessing on the starting price, I can’t quite remember – I went to a lot of shops!!).
This seems to be a no bargain zone too. Costume adjustment did not seem to be easily arranged here either, so make sure it fits well or be prepared to sew it or alter it when you get home.
On the up side, the designs were more varied and if you after something a bit different, it is worth looking around here. Just be sure to take only 1 or 2 friends with you. If you are in a bigger group you will have to split up as it is not physically possible to have many people in that store.
I found that the designs seemed to be better suited to a hip size smaller than myself or the 2 ladies i was shopping with possessed.
I think it is more of a small to medium height- bust – hip shop. (That’s not to say there is nothing for you if you are busty or tall – just less of it. If you are 5’6 ish, take a C-cup, like to make a statement with your costumes and have never owned a size 12 pair of pants then you might have found heaven!)
I am 176cm tall with hips that were built for child bearing and I had a few of those embarrassing – ‘No I can’t show you what it looks like because I can’t get it on!’ moments.
I found a crazy green outfit, i loved the skirt but it was a touch too small and the top wasn’t that flattering but it was so amazing, I was still tempted.
Selfie in the change room in the green outfit mentioned. Inexpertly photoshopped to obscure my friend and the fact she is holding her dress on!
Larger ladies read my last review about Mahmoud Abdel Ghaffar ‘s shop. I have several more shops to mention yet, so if you haven’t read about one you like yet – don’t give up! Subscribe so you don’t miss the next post. Posts are a little erratic right now as I am neck deep in University assignments for my Master of Teaching. Expect more frequent posts in October.
Have you shopped in Cario? Where did you find your costumes? – please comment below.
Jade Belly Dance 