I'm travelling to Hong Kong for the first time at the end of the month, and would like to get some suits made while I'm out there. Does anyone have recommendations of tailors to visit?

I'm arriving on a Friday night, flying out at 8am on Monday morning. Will this be enough time to get the suits made?

Thanks in advance.

This is too late, but in case you're going back sometime in the future.

From what I've heard, HK's tailors are not much cheaper than their Western colleagues. Bangkok or one of the major mainland Chinese cities are probably better bets in finding tailors experienced with Western styles at a bargain. The gentleman sitting next to me on my flight back from HK last year was coming back from a tailored shirt shopping spree in Bangkok.

If you want to stay in HK, try the Tourism Board's shop list at http://www.discoverhongkong.com/eng/shop/clothing/sh_clot_cust.jhtml and stick with the stores with the Quality Tourism Service seals. I'm no expert since I've only gone to a tailor there once. I think I was misled by the store clerk who said they only do one fitting instead of two nowadays. It was a Kwun Kee Tailor in Mongkok.

Good tailors in HK are closely-held, like a good stockbroker. Two fittings and US$22 for a shirt, $180 for a suit is a bargain, especially when they fit like nothing you'd ever get off the rack.

The value of custom-tailored clothing in Asia is

1. Fit
2. Fit
3. Convenience - They come to your office, hotel, home, etc. Two, three, or four times, if necessary. One never needs to go shopping.
4. Price vs. Tailored in the West

If you're coming to HK, e-mail me and I'll set you up with mine.

------------------
UA 1K switching to AA/CX/Asia Miles so I can use them out here in Asia!

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by shayes:
Good tailors in HK are closely-held, like a good stockbroker. Two fittings and US$22 for a shirt, $180 for a suit is a bargain, especially when they fit like nothing you'd ever get off the rack.

The value of custom-tailored clothing in Asia is

1. Fit
2. Fit
3. Convenience - They come to your office, hotel, home, etc. Two, three, or four times, if necessary. One never needs to go shopping.
4. Price vs. Tailored in the West

If you're coming to HK, e-mail me and I'll set you up with mine.

</font>
Wanted to bump this thread because im going to be in hkg in aug and was curious about a good tailor?
-howie
ps.Shayes can you drop me a email about your tailor cant seem to email you.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by stockmanjr:

Wanted to bump this thread because im going to be in hkg in aug and was curious about a good tailor?
-howie
ps.Shayes can you drop me a email about your tailor cant seem to email you.

</font>

http://www.samtani.com/ I also had a couple of silk shirts made from Asha Tailors (to please a relative of mine who are neighbours to the owner's family) You can bargain with Asha http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/smile.gif

I know I am going to get my head served to me in a platter, but I actually prefer (on a value for money basis) the high end HK tailors. A $60 USD custom shirt for everyday from Ascot Chang beats anything off the rack from my usual providers, Faconnable, Paul Stuart, and Pink, which will set you back upwards of $80 USD.

As for suits, you can't go wrong with A Man Hing Cheong. Yes, it will cost you $700 USD, but beats the pants off (no pun intended) anything off the rack from Paul Stuart, Zegna, and quality Brooks Brothers.

I am tired of these "discount" outfits that will sell you a $200 suit that will fall apart the third time you wear it, or discolor the first time you send it to the cleaners.

I see no problem dropping 80 bucks on a shirt if it is going to last me 5 years of wearing it every two weeks.

This is timely, as I was about to report on recent shirt expeditions.

I've used Ash Samtani for more than 15 years, both in their HK shop and on their twice-yearly visits to Boston. While mostly pleased, I do believe their quality has slipped a bit in recent years.

Last winter I went to David's for some shirts. David's is definitely high-end and specialize in shirts; they've got one shop in the Mandarin and another on Kimberley Rd in Kowloon. The shirts at David's cost an average of $100 each, compared to about $65 each at Ash Samtani.

After 6 months, I find that David's shirts are superior. The fit is finer (not surprising, as David's insisted on two very careful fittings; AS needed only 1), the features are better (such as the pleat in the back), and the button stitching is more secure. The Ash Samtani shirts are still very good, but David's are clearly better. Is it worth $25-30 more per shirt? That will vary for each individual.

Does Man Hing Cheong have access to 15milmil15 fabrics? Or can I bring my own Zegna fabric and have it made into a suit?

Understanding that there's a wide range of what people like, if you buy Zegna Sartorial suits off the rack, look at W.W. Chan in Burlington House on Nathan Road.

For shirts, consider Ascot Chang. (I like the shop in Prince's Building, HK side.) Not necessarily cheap.
Rich

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by number_6:
Does Man Hing Cheong have access to 15milmil15 fabrics? Or can I bring my own Zegna fabric and have it made into a suit?</font>

High end HK tailors have access to the range of Zegna fabrics, but only in the Asia "line," which runs to blues. They can get fabrics in the European and North American lines, but it takes 6 weeks, I believe. W W Chan definitely has all the (Asian) Zegna line.

If you want to bring your own, I think they need 3 metres for a suit. Some feel that 15 milmil tends to pill. Do you have any suits in Trofeo? It's quite similar and wears better, day to day.
Rich

I have been a W.W. Chan customer for a number of years, and find their quality/price ratio to be highly, highly satisfactory.

All these tailors will cut a suit from whatever fabrc you want them to. Many folks I know, have taken fabrics from Italy, India, UK to HKG (and BKK) for tailoring.

William Cheng & Son for shirts. About $35 US.
Located at 38 Hankow Road 6th Floor (About a block from the Hyatt in Kowloon. The shirts are well made and I can't seem to wear them out.
They have about the largest selections of bolts of fabric to choose form, as opposed to many HKG tailors who just have swatches.

OK, not directly on topic, but related. I happen to spend the majority of my time in Asia in the city across the border from Hong Kong - Shenzhen.

Can I get a better deal on tailor-made clothing there without sacrificing quality? If yes, can anyone recommend a tailor they like?

Thanks in advance.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by winkydink:
OK, not directly on topic, but related. I happen to spend the majority of my time in Asia in the city across the border from Hong Kong - Shenzhen.

Can I get a better deal on tailor-made clothing there without sacrificing quality? If yes, can anyone recommend a tailor they like?

Thanks in advance.</font>

If you are a frequent visitor to that area, do ask a local as they might direct you to someone who is just as good, without tourist trappings http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/smile.gif

Does anyone know of tailors for women's shirts & suits? Would you recommended these same places or somewhere else?

Have a first trip to HK coming up early next year and would definitely like to bring back some silk shirts and possibly more.

Thanks.

My ex- had a suit made at Ash Samtani and was generally pleased. She did bring a picture of the style that she wanted.

As mentioned earlier in this thread, I've been disappointed in Ash Samtani's quality in the past few years. I have heard good reports about WW Chan (http://www.wwchan.com) (oddly enough, located in the same building as Ash Samtani), and I plan to have them make a few items for me on an upcoming trip. Their web site does include a section on women's clothing.

Thanks for the information. I'm not going until February - if you're back by then, please let us know how you liked WW Chan as an alternative.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by GoingAway:
Does anyone know of tailors for women's shirts & suits?</font>There is an excellent one in the Sheraton hotel's shopping arcade (sorry, don't remember the name). And there is an Esprit outlet store in the basement which has genuine stock at 10% of the US Esprit price.

Nearly all the tailors mentioned here (Sam WW Chan, Asha etc.) will do a decent job provided you know what you want.

1. I normally take along a shirt and suit that fits me well.
2. I pick the fabric;

3. Carry a photograph of the style I want or choose from a catalogue that the tailors normally have.

This way I minimize surprises - Do keep in mind, that a minimum to two fittings for suits are an indication of the integrity of the tailoring shop. Be suspicious of no fitting for a suit.

Generally speaking in HK Indian tailors are cheaper than Chinese tailors. You tend to find Indian tailors touting all the ridiculous offers (50 pieces of clothing for a dollar type things) never go for one of those (not Indians in general, but the ones offering stupid deals).

My personal favorite that I have been using for about 18 years is Fletcher Jones, which is in a crappy arcade (Mirador) on Nathan Road. It's a small shop, but Tommy the owner is great. He has access to all the best material (as was pointed out last time I mentioned him on FT, he has more swatch books than bolts, this has more to do with the size of his establishment than anything else. He DOES NOT bait and switch).

His prices are okay, but not the cheapest, nor the most expensive, but his quality is second to none. I still have suits from 1988 or so, which I wore like hell that are still in good shape. With the exception of one batch of shirts I had made in 1992, almost every shirt I have ever had made there is in good condition (some I ruined on my own, and there was something wrong with some collar stiffning material in my batch in 1992, 2 years later I showed them to Tommy and got a credit on my new shirts). He is fast, courteous and has a huge list of return customers over the years. Most importantly his customers include some very important HK people, both local and foreign. For those of you who know HK, this is a big deal as many HK Chinese avoid buying anything near Nathan Road due to its touristy reputation.

Check him out. Also he does women's stuff as well.

Just spent a week in Hong Kong and didn't get a suit done. But it was amazing to see the number of shops and the price range. I'm not a snappy dresser although I wear a coat and tie to work but price is more of a factor to me than quality. This may sound strange but we all make choices on what we spend our money on.

In any event, my question is those shops that tout a tailored suit for US$120 or so. . . is it even worth it? Or should you just buy a off the rack suit in the states on sale for the same price?

Don't go near those guys, you need a good tailor a bit of knowledge and an idea what you want.

There are Asian countries where you can get a decent suit for that price. Hong Kong is not one of them.

re women's clothing:

The absolutely wonderful Travelers' Tales Guides: Hong Kong: has a must-read essay for any woman (and maybe man) who is serious about having something special made in Hong Kong. The essay is by Amanda Mayer Stinchecum and titled "Suitable Advice" -- it's a recounting of Ms Stinchecum's experience of having a suit made from material that she'd purchased and brought to HK. She seems to know a thing or two about clothesmaking and quality.

For those unfamiliar with the Travelers' Tales series, this is a collection of short stories and essays about all sorts of different subjects -- food, fun, mystery, joys and disapppointments. No matter if you're looking forward to your first trip to Hong Kong or if you've been there dozens of times, this book will bring smiles to your soul. (Published by O'Reilly & Associates, ISBN 1-885211-03-1)

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by hfly:
Don't go near those guys, you need a good tailor a bit of knowledge and an idea what you want.

There are Asian countries where you can get a decent suit for that price. Hong Kong is not one of them.</font>

yes, if you are looking for low cost option, go to bangkok, not hkg

any updates? going to hong kong in december and would love to have some high quality great shirts made. thanks so much!

I was there last week. I went to Sam's Tailor and WW Chan (per recommendations on this board), they are both in the same building.

I went to WW Chan first, and he told me I was SOL because they need 3 days to do measurements, etc. for custom shirts. I was leaving at 8pm that night on UAL to SIN (this was at about 10:30am). I went downstairs to Sam's Tailor and they did the measurements right there and promised to have them delivered to my hotel no later than 5pm (no extra charge). I ordered 3 shirts for H$350/each. So far so good. I got a blue heringbone that is different from what I have now and I like it lot.

When I have more time, I plan to try WW Chan - but my experience with Sam's is pretty good so far.

(Also, I bought my wife a silk kimono down the street, at a little stall on one of those side alleys closer to the Sheraton. She likes it a lot, and it only cost H$45). http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/smile.gif

Info/update on WW Chan and David’s Shirts:

WW Chan

I went to WW Chan looking to have top-quality, custom-made slacks and a sport coat. I wanted both wool slacks and washable, cotton slacks. I’d called just before my trip and made an appointment, speaking to Patrick Chu. This would be the first time that I’d asked WW Chan to make clothes for me.

The selection of materials is impressive, considerably more extensive than (the decent) selection I’d been familiar with at Ash Samtani. The on-site availability of the cloth bolts is especially important for suits and sport coats, because they can drape it over your shoulder so you can see how it will look.

The clothes fit brilliantly. Patrick insisted on 2 fittings, and when he realized that I was a difficult person to fit he asked for a 3rd fitting. The first fitting was for a very rough version of 1 pair of slacks and the sport coat – especially the waist, shoulders, chest, and butt. The second fitting got down to the details: the seat would fit better if it’s taken in by an inch, the length of the coat better if it’s shortened half an inch. When Patrick and the chief tailor noticed that the shoulders looked too broad, they actually removed the sleeve, took a bit off the shoulder, then replaced the sleeve to see how it would look on me. The final fitting was for the details – which is the best sleeve length on the coat, does the waist feel ok, etc. A day after the final fitting, the finished clothes were delivered to my hotel.

The quality of the sports coat and wool slacks are impeccable. The material feels great, and the clothes look terrific. I can’t say the same about the cotton slacks, though. They wrinkle easily (far more easily than cotton slacks that Ash Samtani had made for me, though the latter had other quality problems), and the material tends to gather at the hem stitching. Not disastrous of course, but not what I’d expect from top-quality tailors, either.

Overall, I believe that WW Chan is a perfect choice if you want very high quality workmanship on traditional materials (esp wool). They listen to your needs, and they take the time to do it right. Chan is not inexpensive (about 50-75% more than Ash Samtani, whom I’d classify as a mid-priced tailor), but quality has a price.

WW Chan (http://www.wwchan.com/) is in the Burlington Arcade, on Nathan Road across from Kowloon Park, on the second floor. They’re in the same building as both Ash Samtani and Sam’s Tailor.

David’s Shirts

I’d had David’s make shirts for me before, when I visited their shop in the Mandarin Oriental. This time I went to their TST shop in Kimberley Road, where David himself runs the place.

David’s knowledge of shirts and materials is amazing. When I mentioned that some shirts needed extra attention after coming out of the dryer, David offered an ingenious solution, then showed me the good and bad features of the proposed solution.

One of the best features of David’s is his selection of materials. His selection is both enormous and high quality: I could easily have chosen 40 different materials form that I’d have enjoyed wearing. For 1st-time customers, David also asks for a second fitting, and his shirts do fit brilliantly.

David’s is not cheap, about 40-60% more than Ash Samtani. So what do I get for the extra money? Noticeably better materials. A better fit in some of the details (for example, the length of the shirt). Nicer and stronger buttons.

Is it worth it? For me, I’d rather own 6 of David’s shirts than 10 shirts from a mid-range tailor. Your mileage may vary.

[This message has been edited by wideman (edited Jan 14, 2004).]

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by wideman:
re women's clothing:

The absolutely wonderful Travelers' Tales Guides: Hong Kong: has a must-read essay for any woman (and maybe man) who is serious about having something special made in Hong Kong. The essay is by Amanda Mayer Stinchecum and titled "Suitable Advice" -- it's a recounting of Ms Stinchecum's experience of having a suit made from material that she'd purchased and brought to HK. She seems to know a thing or two about clothesmaking and quality.
</font>

Thanks for the update. I looked for the book in the library and a couple of bookstores but wasn't able to find it. My trip isn't until February but I think I have the possible tailors all identified.

Is an appointment recommended, even if its just for some blouses?

I would call (or, for Chan's, e-mail) for an appointment a day or two in advance.

Hi

I will be in HKG next week. I need to buy some good quality shirts...

I stay at the Ritz Carlton with not a lot of time between meetings.

Tx for tyour advice

What would you all say is the best HK tailor in terms of value for the money?

I have just returned from Honkers with a new suit from the unfortunately named Stitch-Up Tailors, Star House, Kowloon, as recommended in the Lonely Planet Guide. It's opposite the main Star Ferry terminal.

I had a suit made from Super 120's wool, cashmere and mink mix fabric (one of the most expensive). Three fittings within 48 hours with the Shanghainese tailor. Very pleased with the result.

George, the affable Indian owner did not ask for a deposit and even got my favourite beer in (Tsing Tao), as the house offering was not to my taste.

I heartily recommend them, and will return.

The price? HKD 2600 - GBP 175 - USD 334.

I have been ripped off by other Hong Kong tailors, notably the famous Rajah, who tours the UK and USA taking measurements and orders. Your suit is then mailed from Hong Kong. Although in fairness, they did try to make changes (to an expensive and shoddily made blazer) when I pitched up with it on their doorstep, yet the result is still less than satisfactory. I will wear it when gardening.

My guy is James Chen - Mezzanine Level of the re-opened Mandarin - have been using him since 91 - the only time the suits go bad is when i grow to big for them :) Also for great shoes, Mayers is next door - same level.

I arrive in HKG on a Thursday and have time in the afternoon to go to a tailor for fittings. I also have time Saturday to go for more fittings. I fly out on Sunday afternoon. I need a basic black suit which will be lightweight as I travel to several very humid locations. I guess that has an effect on the material of the suit and the silky internal material as well.

What price should I expect to pay?

What materials should I be asking for?

Anything in particular to look out for when checking the quality?

Any suggestions for tailors in the area of Hunghom in Kowloon?

Also for great shoes, Mayers is next door - same level.

And fantastic ladies handbags. Mr. Mayer has now done a half dozen handbags for me (at least) and an equal number of pairs of shoes. I've referred many folks here - his stuff is top notch!

I use Jack Balani with Rivera Fashions. YOu want a high count wool from italy. It is light way, wears well. I pay about $600 for a suit from him. I have been getting Zenga material for this price. Shirst are $55 and just pants or extra pants $150.

What about recommendations for a women's tailor?
My wife want to have some Japanese kimonos remodeled to a western style.

Based on experience and reccomendation; try Pacific Custom tailors at Pacific Place, HK island. Ask any taxi driver or take the MTR to Admiralty. China's Lonely Planet guide said something along the lines of one of the best tailors in HK. They were very good with service (the San Miguels) and quality when i went there. Price was (i should still think is) medium range for shirts; say US$35-40 a peice (depends how many you get) and suits were somewhere around the HK$3500 mark. But try to bargain a little, and you might get a better deal.

Anyone else have any experiences with them>

I've heard Pacific Custom Tailors is very good.

My experiences with Sam's Tailor in Kowloon have been the same. Their shirts are superb, ditto the suits and trousers. They charge about $40 USD per shirt, about $375-400 USD for a decent suit and $100-125 USD for dress slacks.

If you want to comparison shop, there are two other tailors in the same building as Sam's (Burlington Arcade in TST) -- Ash Samtani (a mid-range tailor like Sam's) and W.W. Chan, which is more high-end.

BTW, I believe Sam's and Pacific are owned by the same people. If you're staying at Pacific Place, Pacific tailors is right downstairs in the mall.

I found a tiny shop in Kowloon called Sammy Tailor. Sammy is a decent guy who puts together a great shirt for a decent price. Much lower than the other shops here as I recall. It's been over a year since I visited him, but I will probably swing by for some shirts next month.

Harry Mohini of Mohini Fashions.

Just for calibration, W W Chan in TST is offering made to measure suits with Zegna Trofeo fabric for about US$1500 in November, 2006. In the US, Nordstorm is selling Zegna off the rack suits for US$1895, before tax. Assume a minimum of 3 fittings over a couple of days. 3-4 days preferred.

It's an interesting detail that the off the rack suits don't show a Zegna watermark, or whatever it's called, in the lining, though you get that with made to measure.

Also, somewhat in a departure from the past, WW Chan can get Zegna fabrics that aren't in what might be termed the "Asian" color palette. That is, my understanding is that it used to be difficult to get browns, but they can get them with some additional time. (It's not necessarily as simple as picking a fabric from a Zegna fabric book in your own country. There was some thought that the order numbers may be different.) You can still bring 3 metres of fabric, if you wish.

I came to this about 3 days too late (I arrived here Tuesday evening and fly out on Friday night - its now Thursday evening local time). I will be book marking this page for my two-3 trips to HKG next year :)

I have used Maclarry Fashions for years. They are on Mody Road in Tsim Sha Tsui. Small shop, reasonable prices (not cheap, but not very expensive). They have been in business for 30 years. Gary and Mack are honest and reliable.

Like Vulcan, I found Wm Cheng & Son on Hankow Rd, Kowloon, to make very good quality shirts & suits. I originally found Cheng in the early 90s by way of references from Australian barristers who used him. The shop is on the 8th floor.

I have also used one of the high end tailors in Kowloon, Y. William Yu, 46 Mody Road. My grand frather & father have used Yu over many decades. I found their suits to me very superior & they have a branch in New York City, 521 Madison Ave. This is a tailor who will pay serious attention to all details & insist upon proper number of fittings. They do make the circuit every year in the USA.

Welcome to FlyerTalk xplorer37!

I'll be in Hong Kong for one day later this month. Can anyone recommend a tailor that will take a single set of measurements and be comfortable working from that? I am based in NYC, so I would like to find a tailor that also visits NYC regularly.

Thanks!

I think there may be confusion between measurements and fittings. The tailors take a single set of measurements, though they often will remeasure you on subsequent annual visits, say, but the better tailors really need multiple fittings as the garment reaches degrees of completion.

Even with a tailor that's done multiple suits for you, you should count on several fittings to get a decent fit. I think I had 4 last time and this was after several suits from my tailor, W W Chan in TST.

W W Chan visits NYC twice a year, I believe. You may want to go by a couple of the places recommended in this thread to discuss your time constraint.

I'll be in Hong Kong for one day later this month. Can anyone recommend a tailor that will take a single set of measurements and be comfortable working from that? I am based in NYC, so I would like to find a tailor that also visits NYC regularly.

Thanks!
You can try OM Custom Tailors in Kowloon. I hv used them for my suits and shirts. I also had limited time in Hongkong and they took my measurements and mailed me my order and they turned out perfect. I know they visit overseas for orders but don't know how often to the U.S. Their website www.omtailors.com / Tel 23662603. Cheers!

You can try OM Custom Tailors in Kowloon. I hv used them for my suits and shirts. I also had limited time in Hongkong and they took my measurements and mailed me my order and they turned out perfect. I know they visit overseas for orders but don't know how often to the U.S. Their website www.omtailors.com / Tel 23662603. Cheers!

Thanks! This place looks good...^

I was wondering if anybody could recommend a tailor for my wife? For some reason, I am finding this much harder than locating a tailor for myself. Any tips on what she should do to get the most out of the experience is also much appreciated. Thanks.

Very sorry for posting the above without not checking out OM first. It looks very good, and it seems they make a wide range of nice things for women.

Thanks tremendously.

Based on experience and reccomendation; try Pacific Custom tailors at Pacific Place, HK island. Ask any taxi driver or take the MTR to Admiralty. China's Lonely Planet guide said something along the lines of one of the best tailors in HK. They were very good with service (the San Miguels) and quality when i went there. Price was (i should still think is) medium range for shirts; say US$35-40 a peice (depends how many you get) and suits were somewhere around the HK$3500 mark. But try to bargain a little, and you might get a better deal.

Anyone else have any experiences with them>

I have pants and shirts made from Pacific Custom tailors that are 5 years old and they all still look like I purchased them yesterday. Now the pants I purchased in BKK at rajah I will use to clean the garage. I would return to Hong Kong just to have clothes made at Pacific Cusom tailors.

I have used WW Chan on numerous occaisions and they are very high quality. MOST of the custom tailors in HKG are store fronts for a common tailoring factory in Shenzhen. The people who make the clothes don't work for them. WW Chan has their on tailors, and they invest more man hours per piece than most of the others, and the quality difference is noticeable. But the cost is much higher. I was just quoted 14,700 HKD for a Loro Piana cashmere blazer. Patrick is the head salesman.

I have also heard very good things about TAKLY's on the Hong Kong side (I think in the Mandarin). I am not sure about the price. TAKLY's is primarily known for their shirts, but people say they also make very fine suits, and they also use their own tailors.

I wanted to purchase my own fabric since my time is limited, can somene recommend where I might purchase Ermenegildo Zegna fabric? Thanks for the tips.

We're thinking of staying in HKG for no more than 4 nights -- would that be too short to do the 2nd visit to the tailor for a suit? Typically, when do they ask you to return for a fitting after first visit?

We're thinking of staying in HKG for no more than 4 nights -- would that be too short to do the 2nd visit to the tailor for a suit? Typically, when do they ask you to return for a fitting after first visit?

A good tailor (or rather for a good job) would have you back for a second fitting within 2-3 days.

IF you push, you could have two fittings within the four days for a really really good fit.

You can tell them. The very best ones will refuse if they feel the time is not sufficient (this may depend to some extent on how unusual a shape you are). Most will simply do it to your timescale, but you're left with no choice but to accept what they have done when you go to pick up the finished article. Personally, having been left with a useless suit by this route I really don't think the savings made are worth the risk. But YMMV.

We're thinking of staying in HKG for no more than 4 nights -- would that be too short to do the 2nd visit to the tailor for a suit? Typically, when do they ask you to return for a fitting after first visit?
That's plenty of time, just let the tailor know your time constraints at the beginning. The first fitting is often the next day, but could be the same day, if you order first thing in the morning.

It helps to contact the tailor first, perhaps setting up an appointment, as well as have an idea of the style and fabric you'll want. The tailor will show you a style book as well as work for others in various states of completion, so you can get an idea of the process.

You can often go to department stores and look at fabric samples to get an idea of what's available. HK tailors can get just about any fabric you've seen, but it may take a day or so, which would possibly cause a schedule problem in your case. I generally get something that's on hand.

Just as a point of departure, you can go to someplace like Nordstrom or Barney's and look at their high end, off the rack suits, as well as fabric books. Nordstrom, for instance, has (or used to have) the Zegna Sartorial line. It's good to get an idea of retail prices, too. High end HK tailors are cheap compared to London, say, but not hugely different than off the rack Zegna. (Well, some US$100s and tax and you get a suit that fits you well, if you take the time to get the appropriate fittings.)

If you get Zegna fabric, some frequent travelers get Traveller fabric, which is a bit stiffer and tends to come out of a suitcase looking ok. On the other hand, since most places above the level of Mom's Guesthouse have pressing services, you may as well get something like Trofeo, which feels a lot better.

I second Pacific Custom Tailors. Great location in the Pacific Place mall and the service was top notch. 2 fittings in 2 1/2 days made for nice suits. Great selection of fabrics and some nice deals. Got 2 suits, 3 shirts and 2 ties for 8250 HKD. If staying at the Conrad or Marriot, can't be beat on location and price for the suit.

hi everyone, this is my first post so please be receptive =(
i was excited to discover that HK/asia was such a shopping paradise because I am a skinny chinese boy who has extreme difficulty finding fitted clothes in America (even small at most retail stores are too large).
I too am interested in a quality tailor to visit.
I will be there for a few month so time is not an issue.
I have read all the posts and have come across names that i recognize from travel books that i have read.
I do have a few issues that I would like anyone out there to help me answer (one or all)
1) I am a young student going into the workplace soon, so I dont have much experience with dress clothes. I'd like to consider myself pretty fashion forward so I know how i want my clothes to fit and in which style. But the material is really what i dont know much about. So what are some popular types of materials and some characteristics of them?
2) I dont visit many tailors in america, especially ones who make bespoke clothing (i usually get alterations) so what is the ettiquette? are walk-ins the norm or appointments?
3) I know this is actually a dumb question but how fashion-aware are these tailors? I ask because i like to wear my clothes very slim and i'd feel awkward to explain that to them and they give me a funny look.
4) Lastly i know its a terrible habit but i am verrrrrrrrrry picky with my clothes and usually regret clothes purchase after the fact (i hope bespoke tailoring can solve this) so when you list some tailors can you not only keep in mind that quality (i am picky) is utmost but cost is also pretty close behind. This is because i dont want to drop like 800USD on a suit and not wear it again.
My price ranges are about (sorry i dont know the conversion rate, i think its about 8HKD to 1USD)
Dress shirts : ~70 - 90 USD
Suits: ~250-400 USD
Ties: ~40-60 USD
Of course anything lower than these ranges are welcome (as i'd like to stockpile while in HK) but i wont sacrifice quality for price


Sorry this is so long and i'm so demanding but keeping all this in mind can you guys recommend some reputable quality tailors (oo yeah who also speak english) Thanks in advanced!!

linesforeyes --

Welcome to FlyerTalk!

The questions you ask are excellent ones. The biggest problem that I'd foresee is finding a balance between your budget and the bespoke clothing that you're looking for. You could certainly get excellent fabrics -- ones that both look great and that stand up to regular use -- and wonderfully-fitting clothing from the upper-end tailors in HK, but not for the price range that you list. If possible, you might consider buying fewer clothes but higher quality -- but ultimately it's your decision how to make the trade-offs.

All that said, an especially knowledgeable source of information about bespoke clothes is the Ask Andy Forum (http://www.askandyaboutclothes.com/forum/index.php). If you haven't visited there yet, I'd strongly recommend it.

i dont necessarily need the highest quality material or craftmanship, i'm still a college student. but if you could point to places somewhere in between mid ranged and high end.

For Custon Shirts, William Cheng & Sons, 38 Hankow Rd, 8/F.

I always visit and was there about a month ago. Excellent selection of material on full bolts (not just swatches, like most storefronts). They will make a shirt however you want it (tight neck, or waist, loose fit etc.) Just be sure that they understand your requirements during the measurement process.

I paid about 250 hkd EACH. I find it impossible to wear out these shirts

As an update, I wound up buying 2 suits from Dyon Chan of TAKLY Custom Shirts (yes, they do suits, too) in the Galleria, 2nd Floor. Mr. Chan came to my hotel when I arrived (around noon) and by 6:30 he had one suit cut out and did a fitting. I had to leave the next morning, so I didnt have the benefit of additional fittings. I got the suits about 10 days later via USPS and they were almost perfect! I had to have some slight alterations done here at home (would have been unnecessary had I been in Hong Kong longer). Mr. Chan certainly made my 1 day trip to Hong Kong even more worthwhile! Also, he is a very pleasant and charming man, and his wife works in the shop with him.

The suits were not cheap, coming out to about 21,000 HKD, but the material was some of the finest I have seen and felt! He has materials that are cheaper and that are more expensive; you can go with what you can afford.

I HIGHLY recommend Mr. Chan.^

does anyone know about Ascot Chang? any reviews? i hrd they're supposed to make the best bespoke shirts?

hi everyone, this is my first post so please be receptive =(

You need to visit www.styleforum.net

Extensive discussion on style, tailors, cuts, materials etc etc etc....

does anyone know about Ascot Chang? any reviews? i hrd they're supposed to make the best bespoke shirts?

Big nay from me. Although the shirts I had made there in 2003 or so are still "wearable", the've shrunk so much that I no longer can wear them as dress shirts with a suit and tie. Same vintage shirts I had made at A Man Hing Cheong are still going strong, with no deterioration in wear quality. And I can still wear them as dress shirts with a tie, so it isn't like my neck is getting bigger....

does anyone know about Ascot Chang? any reviews? i hrd they're supposed to make the best bespoke shirts?
Ascot Chang has been ok for me with annual on site orders over 8 years or so, though the last batch all uniformly had arm lengths slightly too long. We didn't do a remeasurement, so they were going from my previous records. It's not terrible, just not something you expect at this level.

If you consider Ascot Chang, ask to look at the Thomas Mason 150/2 cotton fabric books, which AC claims is exclusive to them.

Since I don't get the monogramming and don't ask for much in special fitting, I'm beginning to wonder what's the point in a made to measure shirt. The special fabric is nice, but not that much better than off the shelf (if you pick the right shelf).

I've dealt with them for several years(bit shorter than RJH) on both suits and dress shirts.
They carry Brioni only for suits not for dress shirts.
I left them a copy of my dress shirts for a exact copy(Did fitting also)
but it was just NOT right. Material is great, but fit and finish is not close to Brini/Brioni's tailoring work.

So, I won't say it's terrible, but not what I expect.

Ascot Chang has been ok for me with annual on site orders over 8 years or so, though the last batch all uniformly had arm lengths slightly too long. We didn't do a remeasurement, so they were going from my previous records. It's not terrible, just not something you expect at this level.

If you consider Ascot Chang, ask to look at the Thomas Mason 150/2 cotton fabric books, which AC claims is exclusive to them.

Since I don't get the monogramming and don't ask for much in special fitting, I'm beginning to wonder what's the point in a made to measure shirt. The special fabric is nice, but not that much better than off the shelf (if you pick the right shelf).

sorry i posted a new thread e
before i saw this one. I will be staying at the shagri-la kowllon, and i am looking for some shirts. last time i got cstom shirts it was a joke, they did not fit well and the collar stays were the type that are built in, now my collar flys up. where can i get shirts there that are good quality at a fair price
also a freind of mine mentioned that there are places in hong kong that one can buy greymarket designer ties, anyone know of any?

sorry i posted a new thread e
before i saw this one. I will be staying at the shagri-la kowllon, and i am looking for some shirts. last time i got cstom shirts it was a joke, they did not fit well and the collar stays were the type that are built in, now my collar flys up. where can i get shirts there that are good quality at a fair price
also a freind of mine mentioned that there are places in hong kong that one can buy greymarket designer ties, anyone know of any?
Well, for shirt recommendations, I guess you can start by looking higher in this thread. It mentions several sources. Are the ones mentioned here not suitable for some reason?

Also, "graymarket", in my experience, usually means something like a camera with only a local warranty, not valid, for example, outside HK. Do you mean counterfeit? Some of the shops around Granville Road in TST have discounts on genuine designer ties. (I guess they're genuine. I'm not authoritative on this.)

Well, for shirt recommendations, I guess you can start by looking higher in this thread. It mentions several sources. Are the ones mentioned here not suitable for some reason?

Also, "graymarket", in my experience, usually means something like a camera with only a local warranty, not valid, for example, outside HK. Do you mean counterfeit? Some of the shops around Granville Road in TST have discounts on genuine designer ties. (I guess they're genuine. I'm not authoritative on this.)

One of my fav places for ties is at the DFS Galleria opposite/in the Langham Hotel next to Ocean Terminal. Great selection and very good prices. Not many HK'ers go to shop there, but actually there are some good finds.

[QUOTE=rjh;7633810]Well, for shirt recommendations, I guess you can start by looking higher in this thread. It mentions several sources. Are the ones mentioned here not suitable for some reason?

i am not to familiar with hong kong i am looking for one that is close to my hotel shanri-la kowloon.

has anyone ever heard of "Tai Pan Row Men's Tailors"? Any reviews about their suits or shirts or any other products?
http://www.taipanrow.com/index_main.html

Taipan Row are very good in my experience. I had all my current suits and formal shirts and tux done there. Not the cheapest in town but very happy to spend time and effort to get the fit just right. Personally I always take multiple fittings over a couple of weeks rather than trying to rush everything. Nothe that if you shop in their IFC branch then the prices are a little higher than at the other branches - presumably to offset the higher rent.

Any thoughts on HKG vs BKK? Planning an Asia trip into HKG and out of BKK and want to know where to get my tailoring done. Mostly looking for some really nice shirts. I rarely/never wear suits for work (unless you count jeans as a suit), but would like to get one or two really nice ones, so that my mommy can tell me what a handsome boy I am.

Probably looking for Nordstrom-level quality (or better). Since I am only buying one or two suits, saving $50 a suit isn't a big deal. Besides, anything is cheaper than CPH, but I'm not looking to break the bank either. Anybody know of places that carry a nice selection of suit linings - think Paul Smith?

Also, what about the ladies? The Mrs surely won't let me leave dressed to the nines, unless she gets something too. Besides, she actually does have to wear a suit every day.

Any thoughts on HKG vs BKK? Planning an Asia trip into HKG and out of BKK and want to know where to get my tailoring done. Mostly looking for some really nice shirts. ... Also, what about the ladies? The Mrs surely won't let me leave dressed to the nines, unless she gets something too. Besides, she actually does have to wear a suit every day.

Hong Kong quality is better by far, both for quality/choice of fabrics and for tailoring. Even the mid-level HK shops (Sam's, Ash Samtani) get you better quality shirts & suits than anywhere I've tried in BKK, and the better HK tailors (WW Chan and David's for shirts are the ones I've used, but there are sevaral others) are miles above anything in Bangkok.

Does any of you have an idea on where to find good fabric in Hong Kong. I have my own tailor outside HK but she does not have a wide variety of fabric...mainly cheap and not too good.
Thanks.

Hong Kong quality is better by far, both for quality/choice of fabrics and for tailoring. Even the mid-level HK shops (Sam's, Ash Samtani) get you better quality shirts & suits than anywhere I've tried in BKK, and the better HK tailors (WW Chan and David's for shirts are the ones I've used, but there are sevaral others) are miles above anything in Bangkok.

Hi Wideman, could you tell me David's address? I cannot find it in previous posts. Thanks a lot.

You can find David's Shirts at the shopping arcade of Mandarin Oriental HKG Central (NOT the Landmark one!)

If you need to reach David by email, his email is info@davidsshirts.com

Hi Wideman, could you tell me David's address? I cannot find it in previous posts. Thanks a lot.

Yikes....I recently got back a shirt I had made by William Cheng and Son (Hankow Rd) and the quality is utter (you know what). I went based solely on the recommendation on this thread and am very disappointed, but I guess you get what you pay for. The fit is good, but the everything else is utterly pitiful. The buttonholes being machine-made is to be expected, but loose threads on every single one? Plus every other button has loose threading, not to mention the other random loose threads here and there throughout the shirt. Also, the stitch count is very low and on some obvious areas like the collar, the stitching runs unevenly with the border of the shirt. Additionally, the collar and cuffs are fused and are as hard as cardboard. I can't believe I paid $30 for this - I was warned about the state of HK tailoring on styleforum, but this is really ridiculous. As I understand it, many places actually use the same low-standard factories to get their shirts made. This is definitely true of the Indian tailoring places with the touts. Guess I can at least use this to wear around the house.

Haven't checked out David's Shirts, but if it takes $100 to get a decent shirt made in HK, sign me up!

You expect a decent handmade shirt for US$30? I would expect to pay US$50+ even for an everyday workshirt at somewhere like Taipan Row.

I am a regular customer at WW Chan on the Kowloon side and Dyon Chan at TAKLY'S on the Hong Kong side (attached to the Mandarin).

Both are outstanding. Bother are 2-3x the price of most HK tailors, but your 100% get what you pay for.

Dyon at TAKLY's is more high service and has an exceptional eye for detail. His shirts are more expansive than WW Chan, but his suits and blazers are on par on price. He started as a shirtmaker, and is located next to Ascot Chang. You can see the difference in the details, including the buttons and the trimming of the threads.

The difference in the cost is all about the man-hours in the workmanship. Otherwise the fabrics are the same, as long as they aren't using glue to fuse garments (which gets back to man-hours). The fabrics are all the the same raw cost to the tailors, and I suspect their mark-ups are comparable. But only 3 or 4 of them actually employ their own tailors: the rest use common factories in China.

You expect a decent handmade shirt for US$30? I would expect to pay US$50+ even for an everyday workshirt at somewhere like Taipan Row.

Generally, no. But anyone w/o prior knowledge of HK tailoring, like I, would think so by reading this thread.

There were two other tailors I tried, both of whom were able to provide decent quality shirts, suitable for everyday work-wear, for around US$40. For an additional $10, their stuff is a bargain compared to the garbage produced by Wm. Cheng.

You can find David's Shirts at the shopping arcade of Mandarin Oriental HKG Central (NOT the Landmark one!)

If you need to reach David by email, his email is info@davidsshirts.com

Also a couple doors down from David's try James Chen for suits and Mayer's for shoes and briefcases! ^^^^

I'm off to HK for the first time shortly - and since this is my first post here (thanks for the tolerance) - I'd like to ask how easy it might be to find the right fabric. I'm after a wool-silk mix - would most tailors mentioned here carry this sort of stuff?

Thanks again.

I, too, am heading to HK for the first time next week. I am not as well versed in fine clothing as many of you appear to be, but I am planning on having a suit tailored for me while I am over there. I will be there for the better part of 7 days, so I should have time for the measurements and several fittings. I do have a couple of potential problems though. For one, I will be working from 8 to 5 every day, and staying on Lantau Island (just south of the airport). That could make it difficult to make it to a tailor before the shop closes, and would probably make them less likely to visit my apartment, no?

My father was in HK several years ago (2001, I believe), and he had a suit and sport coat tailored by James Chen in the Mandarin. Dad highly recommends Chen, as I see a few of you do as well, but I am curious as to his latest prices. For the suit and coat dad bought, he only paid about $500 US. I'm sure prices have gone up from there, but how much I do not know. I am looking for at least one suit, shirt, and tie, and a ballpark figure would be much appreciated. Also, does anybody have an email address or website for James Chen? I would prefer to not make a long distance call to set up an appointment with him.

While I do not have info on James Chen, I do use another tailor at the Mandarin - A-Man Hing Cheong. I really think they have very high quality shirts and suits, and they are probably one of the most famous in the city. They can also recommend on style and trend. A shirt will probably run you for around $100 - $150 per piece nowadays, depends on the quality of the cloth that you use. They open till 7pm at night, so that should give you sufficient time to travel from the Lantau Island to Central by the MTR.

Better yet, does anybody know of a quality tailor on Lantau Island? That would save me the multiple trips to Central for fittings. I still plan on sight-seeing on Hong Kong Island and Kowloon, but I would prefer not to have to head over there every night of my trip.

I'm just flying out of HKG today with 7 new shirts, 2 ties and 2 new suits from Pacific Custom Tailors in the Pacific Place Mall. I was originally going to go to Sam's Tailors in Kowloon, but when I arrived there about 10:00am, they were closed. Strange. So I proceeded to my backup plan - Pacific Custom. (Oh yes, turns out I didn't turn my watch back a hour from Tokyo time - Sam's probably opened within an hour of me leaving).

Anyway, the suits and shirts I got from Pacific look very nice.. at least on Par with Sam's if not better. Considering i'm 6'4" and can't buy an off the rack suit anywhere, having a bespoke suit made for $400-500 US is a bargain to me.

Pacific has the same "can I sell you another suit or shirt" hard sell like Sam's and others (which gets annoying in a used car salesman kind of way) - but if you brush aside that nonsense, stick to your guns, and go for what you want - I don't think you'll be disappointed. There are undoubtedly people who have exquisite tastes in clothes - as do I. However i'm a utilitarian and realist when it comes to custom made clothes.. what i'm buying isn't a $3000 Brioni or Armani suit!

Cheers

While I do not have info on James Chen, I do use another tailor at the Mandarin - A-Man Hing Cheong. I really think they have very high quality shirts and suits, and they are probably of the most famous in the city. They can also recommend on style and trend. A shirt will probably run you for around $100 - $150 per piece nowadays, depends on the quality of the cloth that you use. They open till 7pm at night, so that should give you sufficient time to travel from the Lantau Island to Central by the MTR.

A-Man Hing Cheong is one of the better manufacturers. But there really are very few that provide genuine quality with their own tailors. If you find a good one, stick with it: A-Man Hing Cheong, TALKY, WW Chan, Davids (by reputation), Ascott Chang (I was disappointed)...you very much get what you pay for, and it's a bargain compared to London or NY.

I have a few insights to offer on the general issue. Rather than posting in OMNI, I searched for this thread because it seems that HK is the place that most suit wearers focus on.

-first of all, I will plug the guy that I've been using most often -- Ray 9419 0169; very close to TST MTR exit D
-The pants are the most imporant part of the suit, when doing business in hot climates
-You should select designs in which the pants look good when the jacket is not on your body (classic business styles don't fulfill this requirement very well; think "contemporary")
-I recommend owning at least one stylish rack suit for the tailor to copy (Jil Sander seems to be pretty hot now.... and I've always liked Paul Smith)
-Order at least one extra pair of pants; if you're like me, the pants will get a lot more wear than the jacket

I was originally going to go to Sam's Tailors in Kowloon, but when I arrived there about 10:00am, they were closed. Strange.


It was your lucky day! I had my first suit and shirts made at Sam's when I moved to HK and had to throw them in the trash (literally). Poor fit, cheap materials and workmanship, smelled from the tailor's cigarettes, and Sam was unwilling to do anything about it.

Since then, I've had very good experiences with Michael at Tai Pan Tailors in the Admiralty Centre, Queensway. Good prices, great quality, very good fashion sense.

Good luck!

It's been awhile since my last post on this thread in which I forgot to plug my guy and provide contact details. I just visited recently and got some quality shirts made for about 44 USD, fit very well. Altered my suit for free (free alterations for up to 5 years) too.

Harry Mohini
(852) 2366 9555 / 2368 9391
No. 20 Ground Floor, Far East Mansion Shopping Arcade, 5-6 Middle Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong.

Directions: Opposite Sheraton Hotel, Next to Tsim Sha Tsui Post Office.

I'm just flying out of HKG today with 7 new shirts, 2 ties and 2 new suits from Pacific Custom Tailors in the Pacific Place Mall. I was originally going to go to Sam's Tailors in Kowloon, but when I arrived there about 10:00am, they were closed. Strange. So I proceeded to my backup plan - Pacific Custom. (Oh yes, turns out I didn't turn my watch back a hour from Tokyo time - Sam's probably opened within an hour of me leaving).

Anyway, the suits and shirts I got from Pacific look very nice.. at least on Par with Sam's if not better. Considering i'm 6'4" and can't buy an off the rack suit anywhere, having a bespoke suit made for $400-500 US is a bargain to me.

Pacific has the same "can I sell you another suit or shirt" hard sell like Sam's and others (which gets annoying in a used car salesman kind of way) - but if you brush aside that nonsense, stick to your guns, and go for what you want - I don't think you'll be disappointed. There are undoubtedly people who have exquisite tastes in clothes - as do I. However i'm a utilitarian and realist when it comes to custom made clothes.. what i'm buying isn't a $3000 Brioni or Armani suit!

Cheers

Another vote for Pacific Tailors - purchased many shirts and a suit from them over the past couple years. Great service - they even personally delivered my order to me at the Airport Express station when I had a tight connection after transiting from China during one trip.

I have used WW Chan on numerous occaisions and they are very high quality. MOST of the custom tailors in HKG are store fronts for a common tailoring factory in Shenzhen. The people who make the clothes don't work for them. WW Chan has their on tailors, and they invest more man hours per piece than most of the others, and the quality difference is noticeable. But the cost is much higher. I was just quoted 14,700 HKD for a Loro Piana cashmere blazer.

Another post mentioned a similar prices for a custom "Zegna" look suit.

I have a WW Chan double-breast suit from several years ago that no longer fits me because I dropped 25 pounds. I've been on the mailing list ever since, and they have these U.S. dates for fittings:

Palm Beach 11/12/07
Houston 11/14/07
Beverly Hills 11/16/07
SFO 11/18 and 11/19
Appointments at sales@wwchan.com

So I'm going to go to their LA date and then bring the suit with me when I arrive in Hong Kong on the end of my SU: OSL to HKG trip in late May. That suit wasn't cheap, but prices north of $1,000 for a suit is out of my range now. Does WW Chan have anything generic sub $1,000? How about slacks?
I am out of touch regarding current HK fine clothing prices, don't know a lot about clothes, and hardly know what to ask for.

Most reputable tailors in HK will alter your suit for free as part of the original purchase agreement. I was able to get ripped liners re-stitched and altered pants for free.

Y William Yu? It's the shop my dad used, and I've gotten a few shirts done by them from their US tours. Quality is ok, but I don't think great. But I'm not well-versed in such matters, so looking for a more expert option. Anyone used them? I think it's in Kowloon someplace.

I'm off to HKG for the first time this coming week, so looking for quick expert opinion so I know where to go (for bespoke shirts/suits and other stuff too I supose).

Thanks!
CO-dependent

Y William Yu? It's the shop my dad used, and I've gotten a few shirts done by them from their US tours. Quality is ok, but I don't think great. But I'm not well-versed in such matters, so looking for a more expert option. Anyone used them? I think it's in Kowloon someplace.

I'm off to HKG for the first time this coming week, so looking for quick expert opinion so I know where to go (for bespoke shirts/suits and other stuff too I supose).

Thanks!
CO-dependent

For MTM/bespoke shirts, Jantzen has a good quality/price ratio, their shirts are around 40-45USD and up:

http://www.jantzentailor.com/

Baron Kay has been know to be able to make a good suit for about 600USD. WW Chan, A-Man-Hing-Cheong, Gordon Yao, etc, will be in the 1000USD+ range. Jantzen also makes suits, they should be in the 450USD range, however, they are more known for their shirts. Any tailor you see with hawkers/touts on Nathan Rd should be avoided, and most other tailors in the lower-mid-price ranges are mostly fronts for shops in China just across the border.

You can also check out styleforum.net and www.askandyaboutclothes.com for more info on HK tailors.

Also, there is a place called Zee's where they make custom shoes and other leather goods:
Zee's Leather Ware's
18 Far East Mansion Arcade
Middle Road, Tsimshatsui, Hong Kong

Good luck, I'm also heading to HK for the first week of December, and will also be getting a suit or two.

Y William Yu? It's the shop my dad used, and I've gotten a few shirts done by them from their US tours. Quality is ok, but I don't think great. But I'm not well-versed in such matters, so looking for a more expert option. Anyone used them? I think it's in Kowloon someplace.

I'm off to HKG for the first time this coming week, so looking for quick expert opinion so I know where to go (for bespoke shirts/suits and other stuff too I supose).

Thanks!
CO-dependent

There are obviously 1,000 different opinions as there are 1,000 different tailors, but I have done this MANY times, and learned from experience. They all have access to the same fabrics: the difference is in the hours/workmanship making the clothing. MOST tailor shops are storefronts for a common, outsourced factory in Southern China. They do not have or use their own tailors, and the workmanship is nowhere near the same, which gets to fit, longevity/durability, and styling. I have made the mistake of buying on price from low and middle tier tailor shops, and have many items in my closet to show for it, that I will never wear. Conversely, I have learned that there are 3 or 4 top tailors, where the quality is outstanding. My preference is WW Chan on the Kowloon side. The prices are probably 1.5-2x the other shops, but the difference is huge -- like London quality for 1/3rd the price. I havebeen back 3 and 4 times for various items, and they come to the US 2-3 times per year, as well, so once they have your measurements, and your style preferences refined, re-orders are easy. Make sure you allow time for 3 fittings (3-5 days).

But don't just take my word for it, here's what others have to say:

"The only tailor of the Big 3 (H. Baroman and A-Man Cheong Co. are the others) who also makes women's clothing. Allow five to seven days for three fittings and finished garments. Fabric can be bought on premises. Men's suits
cost about $850 but compare to an exquisite Savile Row suit costing $4,000."

There are also many more press clippings on WW Chan on their website (www.wwchan.com)...see: http://www.wwchan.com/press.php#

Patrick is the manager.

For MTM/bespoke shirts, Jantzen has a good quality/price ratio, their shirts are around 40-45USD and up:

http://www.jantzentailor.com/



I took the advice and visited Jantzen to have some shirts made on my recent visit to HK. I originally ordered four shirts but when I went to pick them up, only three had been made. Apparently, one of the fabrics that I chose was out of stock. This was somewhat disappointing.

The shirt quality is pretty good for the price. Shirts were HK$300 each.

I visited the store on Saturday afternoon around 5pm and it was jammed. You could hardly move in the store. Not a lot of assistance provided because of the volume of customers, so I took the initiative of looking through the fabric books myself to locate what I wanted. My measurements were taken and I was advised that the shirts would be ready in two days. I picked up the shirts on Monday evening.

I was a little disappointed as I think the fit on the sleeves was a little tighter than what I would have wanted/expected from a custom fit shirt. There is no comparison to the other shirts that I had done at David's Shirts which I had used before. Then again, Jantzen was less than a third of the price of David's and with a little more attention on my part, I think my next visit will yield a very good custom made shirt for the price. All in all, I would probably visit again based on the quality to price ratio.

[QUOTE=billiam;8780146] You can also check out www.styleforum.net and www.askandyaboutclothes.com for more info on HK tailors.

I had never had a custom pair of shoes before, but I can say that I was very happy with my results and what I found. I used Dophen at 52-54 Nathan Road TST in Mirador Mansion near the Holiday Inn and just up a couple of blocks from the Sheraton.

I was very impressed by the store. They made a pair of shoes in calf leather for me and a pair of lizard skin shoes for my wife. Ordered on Saturday morning, fitting late afternoon and picked up on Tuesday evening. Price was HK$1400 for each pair. The shoes were perfect from the start...didn't need to break them in at all. I would definitely do this again, and I am considering ordering at least another pair by mail. They have a wide selection of leathers and prices go up obviously depending on what you choose. Gator is obviously the most expensive available.

This store also does custom ladies' handbags and wallets. My wife was not prepared for this and decided against ordering a purse. I think that on our next visit, this will be prepared for and will bring pictures to have the ideal handbag made. Cost of a custom made purse would be HK$1400-HK$2000 in regular leather.

I also had a couple of suits made, each with a pair of extra pants. I was looking for a middle of the road tailor, and not one where suits go for $800-$1000 each. I was very satisfied with my fabric and paid HK$7000 for 2 suits. My wife had a business suit made with both a skirt and pants so it is interchangeable and paid about HK$3000. She brought a picture of what she wanted and it was reproduced exactly.

I liked the fact that this was not a hard sell kind of place. No touts on the street for this store and a very relaxed atmosphere. I would return here on my next visit.

Send me a PM if you plan on visiting/have visited the store.

Andrew,
I recommend going to Jantzen on weekdays, either right when they open around 11:30am or after the lunch break, around 2-3pm, to avoid the crowds.

What tailor did you use? I ended up at Takly in Central on the HK Island side. However, he's moving at the end of Dec. back to his workshop as rent has gone up too much for his store in the mall. He doesn't know where he will reopen a store yet. I got a suit made with a Holland & Sherry super 100 material, in a midnight navy color with blue stripes, for 5900HKD. I also got 3 shirts from Takly, 2 for about 900HKD and another for about 700HKD. I got 5 shirts from Jantzen as well, all 5 were 300HKD each. My wife also got 3 shirts from Jantzen.

I tried going to Zee's, but they said they needed a week to do a pair of shoes, which I didn't have time for by the time I had a chance to go check them out. Glad Dophen worked out for you, I may check them out next time I go.

Has any non-Mandarin/non-Cantonese speakers had suits made from the Shanghai branch of WW Chan? In other words, does the cutter have a good command of English? I'm thinking of getting a suit at Chan's in Shanghai and wanted to know if the cutter understands the concept of slanted pocket, low gorge, slim silhouette, suppressed waist, etc. I read somewhere that Shanghai prices are lower than Kowloon's. Thanks.

I took the advice and visited Jantzen to have some shirts made on my recent visit to HK. I originally ordered four shirts but when I went to pick them up, only three had been made. Apparently, one of the fabrics that I chose was out of stock. This was somewhat disappointing.

I was a customer of theirs for many years and no longer use them because of some of the reasons you stated. I got tired of the crowded shop and poor service. I think they have not been able to meet the increased needs of their clients. Good for them, bad for clientele. The store is almost always packed, dressing area too small, clothes always all over the place, and most importantly, the quality has suffered. Shirts not ready when promised, several details overlooked, and they have lost much of their customer service principles over the years, so after using them for about 7 years, I moved to Tai Pan Tailor in Queensway. The shop is night and day, the service far better as well as the experience. His shirts are a bit more costly, but I don't mind paying it for the better service, quality and experience.

We are heading to HK next week and I have a ladies jacket I would like to have copied. Is there any particular place that does good copies? What kind of price would I be looking at? It's a short linen jacket.

I've had clothes made in Thailand, Malaysia and Vietnam all at a fraction of the prices I've seen mentioned for suits here. I've never paid more than $80 for a ladies suit and have got amazing quality garments.

[QUOTE=Shesells;8983974]We are heading to HK next week and I have a ladies jacket I would like to have copied. Is there any particular place that does good copies? QUOTE]

I've had things copied at Tai Pan Tailor in Admiralty Centre (in Queensway)and find that he does a very good job. I don't know how much the jacket would cost. He's not the cheapest, but far from the most expensive.

Here's a link to his site and directions: http://taipantailor.com/contactus.html

We are heading to HK next week and I have a ladies jacket I would like to have copied. Is there any particular place that does good copies? What kind of price would I be looking at? It's a short linen jacket.

I've had clothes made in Thailand, Malaysia and Vietnam all at a fraction of the prices I've seen mentioned for suits here. I've never paid more than $80 for a ladies suit and have got amazing quality garments.

I have previously had stuff made in Bangkok and can honestly say that the prices in HK will not be close to what you've seen elsewhere. The quality is higher though, but if price is your main determining factor then Hong Kong might not be the place to do it.

Thanks - I was beginning to think that myself! Looking at prices of $400USD for a mans suit I was starting to wonder if I was just making a mess of the exchange rate calculation!

Still have a week to do a little more research, really want to get this jacket copied...a friend whose sister lives in HK is supposed to come back to me with a recommendation so fingers crossed it's a little less shocking than prices I'm seeing so far!

Incidentally we were lucky to get amazing quality tailoring in both Thailand and Vietnam. Malaysia was another matter...nowhere near the quality and the most expensive so far.

Shesells - once you get the recommendation from your friend, would you be so kind to let me know? I am still looking for a tailor for women's clothes for mrs. vienna-resident and haven't found a suitable advice.

Thanks

v-r

Shesells - once you get the recommendation from your friend, would you be so kind to let me know? I am still looking for a tailor for women's clothes for mrs. vienna-resident and haven't found a suitable advice.

Thanks

v-r

WW Chan is the only one of Hong Kong's big 3 top tailors that specializes in woman's clothing as well as men's. See: www.wwchan.com)..

Thanks - I was beginning to think that myself! Looking at prices of $400USD for a mans suit I was starting to wonder if I was just making a mess of the exchange rate calculation!

Hate to say it but in HK 400 USD will only get you to the threshold of "decent". If you want Savile Row quality you'll pay at least twice as much (which is still a bargain relative for 4K USD in Savile Row...)

Hate to say it but in HK 400 USD will only get you to the threshold of "decent". If you want Savile Row quality you'll pay at least twice as much (which is still a bargain relative for 4K USD in Savile Row...)

You get what you pay for. If you want to get a cheap suit, you can find cheap tailors. They all basically pay the same price for the fabircs, and the pirve of ths fabirc can vary greatly on suit, whether your talking basic, low level wool, super 120s, super 150s, super 180s, cashmere and/or cashmere blends, and/or branded fabrics, such as Loro Piana, or Zegna, etc.

That would determine a pirce difference within a tailor shop for various suits.

The difference betteen tailor quotes for comparble fabrics has to to with the hours invested in the workmanship of the suit, which relates to styling, fit, dealiing, and durability.

$400 gets you very low quality fabrics and minimal workmanship. $800 gets you decent quality fabrics and workmanship. $1,200 to $1,800 should get top qulaity fabrics and workmanship.

Frankly, while some shops may do some bargaining, in my experience there is widespread pricing uniformity among the beter tailors, such as the big three.

But also, I have bought from lesser tailors, and while I paid less, those items sit in my closet and are useless, whereas I regularly wear the high end items from the top tailors like WW Chan and TAKLY, which compare with $3-4,000 Saville Row suits, at a fraction of the UK price.

Has any non-Mandarin/non-Cantonese speakers had suits made from the Shanghai branch of WW Chan? In other words, does the cutter have a good command of English? I'm thinking of getting a suit at Chan's in Shanghai and wanted to know if the cutter understands the concept of slanted pocket, low gorge, slim silhouette, suppressed waist, etc. I read somewhere that Shanghai prices are lower than Kowloon's. Thanks.

Yes, WW Chan in Shanghai is ~30% less expensive than the HKG stores. The sales person was good, and understood his styling nicely, and I was happy with my suit and its styling. In the months after the purchase, though, some of the stitching came undone, and I have had three of the five pieces in for minor repairs; plus he only opened two of the four buttonholes on the cuff of the jacket when I asked for all of them to be opened. Nothing major, but this would not have happened on Jermyn St.

Yes, WW Chan in Shanghai is ~30% less expensive than the HKG stores. The sales person was good, and understood his styling nicely, and I was happy with my suit and its styling. In the months after the purchase, though, some of the stitching came undone, and I have had three of the five pieces in for minor repairs; plus he only opened two of the four buttonholes on the cuff of the jacket when I asked for all of them to be opened. Nothing major, but this would not have happened on Jermyn St.

So, I have a lot of experience with WW Chan: many items and many years (4-5).



The first items I bought from them were from the Shanghai branch. Definitely better prices )and maybe even some bargaining ability, whereas with WW Chan in HK, there is no price negotiation.

The fabrics are the same, and the standards nmay even be trying to be the same, but the workmanship is substantially inferior.

I didn't really think of them as two entities, so I returned my Shanghai garmets to HKG, and after a few reviosions, we got the exact fit and workmanship I wanted (classic Zegna). And, the "fixed" those items for free.

When I have bought items from HKG, they suggested I stick with the Hong Kong tailors, where the masters of the shop from Hong Kong could have more control.

Would I go back to Shanghai again? Maybe, now tha have my style and tastes so worked out the HK.


On the other hand, they may be the "best" tailors in Shanghai, and I would use them over no choice.

Also, they tour the Us 2-3x per year, so you can meet them and they will correct and make changes and send things back to you.

In the end we didn't get any tailoring done. Our time evaporated and we decided we'll wait for Thailand/Vietnam again.

It's been awhile since my last post on this thread in which I forgot to plug my guy and provide contact details. I just visited recently and got some quality shirts made for about 44 USD, fit very well. Altered my suit for free (free alterations for up to 5 years) too.

Harry Mohini
(852) 2366 9555 / 2368 9391
No. 20 Ground Floor, Far East Mansion Shopping Arcade, 5-6 Middle Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong.

Directions: Opposite Sheraton Hotel, Next to Tsim Sha Tsui Post Office.

I had Harry make me 2 suites and 3 shirts. He's the designer, and he has a local make the suits and someone else make the shirts. Reasonable prices, good service and almost no sales pressure. I think the shirts and suits came out very well. My better half will be the final judge of that when I get home, though. :)

http://www.mohinifashions.com/

SXP, good to know someone else had a good experience with Harry. All of my friends who have tried him have been happy too. In fact, I've got to make some french cuff shirts soon and will be over to see him then...

Also, has anyone else had custom made shoes made? I know a poster here (Andrew) recommended Dophen, which I am willing to try, but other ideas would be welcome too...

I'm partial to Maxwells Clothiers. http://www.maxwellsclothiers.com/

Prices are good and I'm happy with the quality. I was looking for anything super fancy or special so YMMV.

There are plenty of good tailors around mirador mansion where you can get made to measure suits. Dont forget to bargain with them