Textiles Talk

Hong Kong tailors

Question:

The Bangkok tailors did good work.  However, I found the best tailoring in Kuala Lumpur.  I had 2 suits tailored at the Golden Tailor some years ago and was given 3 sittings instead of the usual two. I think shirts are better purchased in North America where shirt quality is superior. Make sure you have at least a week to spare.  Good luck. — John Himmen email address as follows

Response:

Don’t even think about getting a suit made in 24-48 hours.  Simply put, the quality is lacking because there is insufficient time to make sure everything fits appropriately.  I have purchase numerous suites in Hong Kong and in Singapore and quality takes time.  That is the reason one purchases a custom suit in the first place.  Typically it takes at least 3 fittings to get it right although I have had 2 fittings on occasion.   However, I have had 4-5 fittings much more often. First, pick out the fabric you like.  Then the cut of the suit.  Pictures of styles are fine.  Finally, discuss the price.  Although I pay no deposit now, having ordered several dozen suits from one tailor, it is customary to pay about 20-33% initially.  Even fixed price stores do bargain so expect it.  Ask for a cash discount if you can pay cash. don’t try to get off cheap.  Quality fabrics cost a lot.  I usually pay 200-300 USD per suit but sometimes more or less, depending upon the fabrics. Try Kent Tailors at the Hyatt Regency Kowloon. Larry —

Response:

I have had suits and shirts done at both Raja’s and tailors in Hong Kong. Raja’s is OK but cannot compare to the excellece of quality Hong Kong tailoring. (While the fit of Raja’s was pretty good, the quality of the zippers and fasteners used and the stitching was not up to par.) There are many excellent tailors in Hong Kong. You get what you pay for there as well as anywhere else. In my mind the only ones to patronize are going to be located in the better hotels. (My favorite for quality,

Perry’s Tailors, Silom road, between Patpong and Robinson’s is *excellent*, but not especially cheap.  In Bangkok, I would not say the best tailors are at the better hotels. — bye! Jay

Response:

There are a lot of tailors in the backpackers areas of Bangkok advertising fantastic prices for a whole wardrobe.  They are universally to be avoided.  There are better tailors in Chinatown, we were told.  Find one through local recommendation.  Insist on several fittings so you can inspect the work at each important stage.  It’s wise to take something to copy, but even then it may not come out the same.  Go over each measurement with the tailor to make sure he or she understands you want an exact match.  If they advise you it can’t be done with a certain fabric, believe them.  Men’s jackets are extremely difficult to tailor, done properly the tailoring alone will cost at least $40 or $50. Most of the stuff sold as Thai Silk, although grown and spun in Thailand, is made with importet worms.  Real Thai silk is expensive even in Thailand. If you are after the real stuff go to the villages where it is made and buy bolts of cloth.  If you go to the city of Chaiyaphum and stay at Yin’s Guest House, she will take you silk shopping in the outlying villages and help you get the clothes made at tailors and seamstress shops in town ( but all the above cautions still apply).  Yin is really wonderful. Larry.

Response:

… anyone reccommend any good quality, fair priced (well, GREAT prices would be best…), and fast service custom tailors in HK? Although the subject line said Hong Kong, are there other places in that part of the world (Korea? Philipines? ???) which might be better…?

G. Allen Finley responded:  I can recommend RAJA’S FASHIONS in Bangkok — excellent quality and service  and what I considered very good prices (US$100 for 6 custom-made shirts).  They have a superb choice of materials for suits and shirts.  They don’t usually do "overnight" service as far as I know, however. They  speak fluent English (and half a dozen other languages, I think).

I have had suits and shirts done at both Raja’s and tailors in Hong Kong. Raja’s is OK but cannot compare to the excellece of quality Hong Kong tailoring. (While the fit of Raja’s was pretty good, the quality of the zippers and fasteners used and the stitching was not up to par.) There are many excellent tailors in Hong Kong. You get what you pay for there as well as anywhere else. In my mind the only ones to patronize are going to be located in the better hotels. (My favorite for quality, material selection and price is Thomas Wong in the Sheraton, for example.) Forget about anyone who promises one-day or fast service. A proper suit takes two or three fittings, so if your stay is a short one, find a tailor the first day.      | Richard Floch      | Richard Floch & Associates      | Land Planning-USA & Asia

Response:

Although the subject line said Hong Kong, are there other places in that part of the world (Korea? Philipines? ???) which might be better…?

When we lived in the Philippines (87-89) my father got all his suits tailor made in Taiwan.  True, he was traveling there on business every month or two, but we also made trips to Hong Kong about twice a year, so I assume he prefered the tailoring he was able to get in Taiwan. In the Philippines, we (my mother, three sisters and I) all had many wonderful outfits made for us (from imported material…the selection there is not the best).   I believe, however, the tailors you would find in the greater Manila area would be much better at making women’s clothes and Barong Tagalogs–the usual business wear of men.  Barongs are short or long sleeved lightweight shirts that are worn untucked.  They are usually embroidered or have cut-out patterns in them and are sometimes quite transparent.  They are worn by virtually all businessmen in Manila (including many of the Americans who have been there for a time.)  They tend to be much more comfortable in the tropical heat…they can be worn with the top button undone, with only a simple undershirt and the short-or long sleeved lightweight fabric is very kind in hot weather.  They are always made of light colored fabric-usually white or cream, but occasionally in light blue.  If you will be doing any business in Manila, I would strongly recommend finding a tailor to make you some Barong Tagalogs.  I’d be interested to hear, also, if this type of dress shirt (worn with standard buisness-suit type slacks) is worn in other parts of Southeast Asia.  I thought I had heard that they were worn in Indonesia, and perhaps Thailand. Good luck. Karen

Response:

… anyone reccommend any good quality, fair priced (well, GREAT prices would be best…), and fast service custom tailors in HK? Although the subject line said Hong Kong, are there other places in that part of the world (Korea? Philipines? ???) which might be better…? …

I can recommend RAJA’S FASHIONS in Bangkok — excellent quality and service and what I considered very good prices (US$100 for 6 custom-made shirts). They have a superb choice of materials for suits and shirts. They don’t usually do "overnight" service as far as I know, however. They speak fluent English (and half a dozen other languages, I think). Raja’s Fashions Shop No. 1/6 Sukhumvit Soi Nana 4 (opposite Nana Hotel) Bangkok-10 Tel: 2538379 or 2538389 Fax: (662) 2542181 Regards,    /|   /_|llen..       |  IWK Children’s Hospital, Halifax NS  B3J 3G9  CANADA  |

Response:

Well, I might be back in HK in a month or two and wondered… Can anyone reccommend any good quality, fair priced (well, GREAT prices would be best…), and fast service custom tailors in HK?

2 tailors I’ve been using:  - Lee Baron. Medium expensive but very good quality. I’ve got a Chinese friend    who recommended them, had 2 fittings and the tailor to mail me the suit    which worked out well (otherwise my Chinese friend would have helped me).    IT’s in (oh, forgot the name) the main road on Kowloon crossing Nathan road    which goes over the MTR. It’s in the last shopping arcade on the right    side before you reach Nathan road. (this was last year) Go up the    southernmost exit of the MTR Kowloon and you’re almost there !  - Johnnys. Lower price, still good quality. Got 2 suits there 3 years ago.    Is on Carnevon street, the main tailor street. I’m going to Hong Kong myself 2 weeks from now, maybe I can give you an up-to-date report ! Although the subject line said Hong Kong, are there other places in that part of the world (Korea? Philipines? ???) which might be better…?

The best tailor made suit I’ve made was actually in Bangkok in 1988. It was about USD $100 but well worth it, I still use it occasionally. Saying this, all suits I’ve tailor made has been really good. / Martin Glenn Tenney voice: (415) 574-3420      fax: (415) 574-0546

– S – 223 70 LUND,  SWEDEN              Tel:+46 46 19 18 38 Fax:+46 46 13 61 30

Response:

Glenn,     I am speaking with dated experience (1984-86).  Hong Kong is probably your best bet, no matter what.  I have found over a number of years that the Kalwoon (sp) side seems to be more expensive than Hong Kong island.  Down in the Wan-Chi (sp) district on some of the side streets, might be a place to look.     Have had work done in Korea, namely the International Market place in Pusan.  Prices are cheaper, however, you must really know how to select your material, plus the buttons and thread.  I had quite a few shirts tailored there and almost every button came off after a few washes.  Not to mention that the buttons were of poor quality.     Manila has quite a few good tailors.  However, being in the Navy for a number of years, I understood that the best way to get what you wanted done from them was to bring your own material.  And above all, make sure that they understood you did not want it tight in the crouch!  I believe as far as price, this will be the best place.  An inquiry at any of the better hotel front desk along Roxas Blvd, will yield a pretty good tailor.     Out side of Hong Kong, Singapore would be the best place.  But, then again expense is the key, but quality counts. Regards, John Wilson

Response:

A few years ago when I was in Hong Kong, a friend who lived there took me to a tailor for a custom made suit (etc.).  The quality seemed quite good, and the price was, if I recall, also quite good.  The only "problem" was that I was only in town for three days and that was not enough time for more than 2 fittings — let alone to finish what I bought (my friend picked it up and had a friend of his take it to the US about a month later). I was talking with another friend last night and he has gone to a different tailor whose prices sounded so-so, but could get suits done completely in less than 48 hours — with three fittings. Well, I might be back in HK in a month or two and wondered… Can anyone reccommend any good quality, fair priced (well, GREAT prices would be best…), and fast service custom tailors in HK? Although the subject line said Hong Kong, are there other places in that part of the world (Korea? Philipines? ???) which might be better…? Thanks — Glenn Tenney voice: (415) 574-3420      fax: (415) 574-0546

Response:

Filed under: Silk Fabric

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