Hong Kong Tailor?
 

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/...lot_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.

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

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.

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/fttr...orum/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

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.

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/fttr...orum/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 (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.

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)

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/fttr...orum/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 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).]

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.

Tailor In Hong Kong
 

I am going to be traveling to Hong Kong in the summer and i would like to make myself Suits and Shirts for a Reasonable price..Any Suggestions?

For shirts, I've been very happy with Jantzen Tailor (www.jantzentailor.com). They do make suits, but I've never had a chance to get a suit made there.

One thing to note is that they have a small store and is located in a crowded mall section of an office building, in case you care about the overall ambience of your retail experience (or lack thereof).

Been to HK 75 times. For me, no question, Sam's Tailor in TsimShaTsui on Nathan Rd.

http://www.samstailor.com/

He does the English Royal family, and is the "secret" tailor for many celebrities and politiians (Clinton and Bush included - he certainly has his fill of autographs in his shop). Small little crappy store, but, he was also featured in Forbes.

His actual name is Manu.

I use Andy at www.expresstailor.com.hk

His shop is just off from Star Ferry terminal in TST.

I went to Jantzen Tailor last time I was in HKG (on a recommendation from others who had been pleased) and got two suits made. While I haven't had a ton of experience with suits, I was fairly pleased with how they turned out.

I think their small showroom helps keep prices down (I think I paid HKD 6000 for two suits, but they had more expensive and cheaper fabrics), although be prepared to wait if coming during peak shopping times.

Favorite Tailor for Custom-Made Suits?
 

All,

I'm about to goto Hong Kong, albeit only for 2.5 days. I've got a good list of things that I'll be visiting when I'm there and should be pretty busy throughout the trip (this is my first time ever to HK).

I'm very interested in getting a custom made suit (men's - business, of course) there, and while it is only a short-trip...hopefully i'll be able to get one made there that actually has some quality and isn't too expensive.

I've read things about Sam's Tailor and some of the other high-end places...but does anyone here have a favorite that they've been to and could share information about it?

In addition, I'd like to get some shirts made too (copied from a shirt that I already own); is there any good tailors for shirts - or should I just ask the one for the suit?

Thanks so very much for all the travel insight :)

-jeremy

I have had great luck with Sam's. What's nice is that they assign you an account number so you can reorder easily when back home.

I normally only have shirts made because I am there for a relatively short period and suits normally require a couple of fittings to get them right. My brother has had numerous suits made from Sam's and has been quite pleased.

When in town my first stop is the tailor to place my order which I normally recieve a couple of days later (again, just shirts).

There are tons of tailors but quality will naturally vary. Just walking along Nathan Road you will be approached by numerous offers for tailoring services.

This topic is well-covered if you search prior threads.

Are you staying in Kowloon or on the island? If you're staying on the island, it can be a bit of a hassle to keep going back to Sam's (you'll have to go at least twice). And you did mention you have a good list of things to do. My suggestion would be to do the things on the list and not get the suit, since this is your first time to HK.

I purchased a suit and shirt from Sam's this spring when I was in HK. Excellent service, fit and price -- can't say enough about 'em. Walked into his shop at 10:30 one morning, had the suit at 7 p.m. the next day after two fittings. The main room might be as big as my living room, and it's packed with people constantly. But somehow, they get quality work done.

I've also heard good things about W.W. Chan and Ash Samtani, which both are in the same building as Sam's (Burlington Arcade) on Nathan Road in Kowloon. It's very close to the Tsim Sha Tsui subway station.

If you have only a few days and are set on getting a suit, make sure the tailor is the first place you stop after you check into your hotel. You might want to call up their Web sites first, just to get some ideas.

Do NOT buy anything from the tailors who are hawking their wares on the street, or trying to drag you into their store from the sidewalk. These guys usually offer very cheap prices, but you get what you pay for. Expect to pay anywhere from $350-$1,000 US for a decent suit from a reputable HK tailor.

BTW, this was my first trip to HK, too, and I absolutely loved it.

Bad experience at Jantzen tailor
 

I went to Jantzen tailor on the recommendation of a friend. Basically, I was disappointed and the owners David and Ricky behaved rather unprofessionally. Made me wonder if they've been spoiled by success?

The stitching down the front of my shirts is not straight. The lapels on my suit are not symmetrical, so it looks funny (friends commented on it). Also, whenever I commented on a problem, they said: "No, sir, it looks good." When I insisted, they caved in and agreed the problem was a "by product" of an alteration and said they'd take care of it. However, they never did.

I think Jantzen tailor is a hit-or-miss place. I would highly recommend people look elsewhere.