Last week I took a shirt to one of the many local tailor shops within a short walking distance of our apartment. I asked if they could make one up to an identical pattern in the material of my choice.

They said it would cost 150QR (£24). I left the shirt, paid for the work and was told I should come back on 1 January. New Years Day is not a public holiday in Qatar so everything is open as usual.

Today, after work, I went round the Samra Tailors to collect the shirt. It looked a perfect replica, albeit in a different material. When I got it home it fitted perfectly, matching the original exactly.

The original shirt from Territory Ahead cost around £40 plus the postage from the USA, so I will be going back next week to get a couple more made in other fabrics.