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 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).]