Clothes from the Tailors of Bangkok
February 19, 2008
Here’s another wonderful post from Richard of Richard Elliot’s blog about tailors in Bangkok. It’s great that Richard wrote this for us because it’s not a subject I would have touched on since I’m not really a suit and tie kinda guy. Thanks again Richard and all my readers drop by his blog and say hi won’t you?
Bangkok’s Tailors - Where to Go and Where to Avoid
There is no comparison between wearing a beautifully tailored suit that fits you like a glove and a lumpy ill fitting off the peg suit that still seems to cost a small fortune back home. Wearing a perfectly fitted suit makes you feel special, more confident and helps you to walk taller. It can also be very exciting having a suit made while on holiday. Being measured up, describing exactly what you want, choosing the right fabric and attending fittings can be fantastic fun. The tailor is likely to treat you like a king. That might be because he wants your money, but it still makes me feel a bit special! Lucky for us that Bangkok has some great tailors where we can get clothes made for a fraction of the price back home!
Over half of my work / formal wardrobe is from tailors in Asia. I’ve got suits, dinner jackets, trousers and shirts. I’ve also got some tailored casual clothes too.
However, if you have never been into a tailors before it can be a bit daunting, especially in a strange city. How do I get want I want? Will I choose the right tailors? How do I make sure I am not ripped off? Hopefully the below will give you a few pointers to set you off in the right direction.
Most of the tailors in Bangkok are actually just fabric sellers. They sell you some fabric, take your measurements and pass them onto a workshop where you suit is actually made. Your suit will almost certainly been machine sown was well. What you are actually getting is a made-to-measure suit and not the bespoke one advertised in the window. Don’t let this put you off, a made-to-measure suit can still look and feel great and some nice detailed finishes can add a lot of style and distinction to the finished article.
Make sure you choose a good fabric. You will only be able to make a good-looking suit out of 100% high quality wool. Thailand is famous for its silk and cotton, but not wool. The best quality wool’s come from Europe and Japan, I usually buy English wool and that is not just because I am British! In virtually every shop you go to, cheaper fabrics and some mid range ones too will be polyester or wool and polyester mixes, even if the band sown onto the edge of the fabric says “100% Wool, Made in England”. The tailor I visit is open enough to admit what is real wool and what isn’t. If you are not sure ask for a small sample. If it rips easily and melts like plastic with a horrible smell, when you hold a match to it, then it is probably a man made fibre. If it is difficult to tear and burns more slowly with an organic smell, it is probably wool.
Make sure you specify exactly what want. Single breasted? Double breasted? Side vents? Button hole? How many pockets? Real buttons on the sleeve? The list is almost endless. If you are not confident at doing this and have an existing suit that you like, take it along and most tailors will be able to copy it for you. Otherwise get on the internet and do some research or take along a picture of that Hugo Boss suit you want copied.
Next you need to avoid Bangkok Shoulders, as my Australian friend calls them. The Thais seem to love large should pads. Unless you are going for a retro 80’s style jacket, make sure you ask for small shoulder pads.
It takes time to make a decent suit. You will need to find a tailor you are happy with, choose the fabric and have all of your measurements taken. You will then need several fittings. If you are only in Bangkok for 2/3 days then it is probably not worth it, you should allow at least a week.
I hope that all of the above hasn’t put you off! You can still get some great clothes made for you in Bangkok, with a little of bit of care and effort, that will cost you a fraction of what you would pay on Saville Row. The main area in Bangkok is on Sukhumvit road around Nana and Asok Sky Train stations. You’ll need to do a bit of research to find the right place. Don’t be afraid to go in and ask to see some examples of their work, speak to the owner and any other customers in the shop. You get what you pay for, and should budget on spending $300 - $400 USD, after any discounts, for a good suit. In my experience you would expect to get a 30 – 50% discount on the price first quoted to you.
I use Royal Tailors near Nana BTS, opposite the Nana Shopping Centre. I have heard good things about Narin Couture as well.
At completely the other end of the spectrum, if I want the fake jeans I have just bought altered I use the denim shop in the basement of Central shopping centre in Lad Prao. Or for minor repairs you see girls sitting at the side of the road with a sewing machine all over the city.
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Loving the picture of Royal Tailors that you found. Who says Bangkok traffic is bad?
Traffic? What traffic? Just another normal day on the streets of Bangkok.
Wow I really want to travel to Thailand. I’ve heard nothing but great, great things about the whole country!
Do you usually have to leave a deposit? Would you recommend placing and order, heading up north for a week, and coming back to pick up your suit, or is it better to remain in the city until its done?
Yes. most of the tailors will require that you leave a deposit and you’ll get a receipt. No big deal if you head out of town and go up north for a week. I’ve already left for several weeks to Singapore and when I came back the suits/shirts were all ready to go. Once you find a good tailor that has your measurements you can even have them make things and ship them to you, my ex father-in-law used to do that for years.
Yes, you will have to give a deposit.
There will be no problem disappearing up North and then coming back in a week. However, bear in mind you will still need to have a couple of fittings when you get back.
Thanks guys and I will be sure to save some time for my husband to get the extra fittings upon return. Is one day enough, or would you recommend two just in case?
I would say give it two days. Many times there won’t be any alterations necessary, but if there are you’ll be glad to have the extra time. They can always ship the finished clothes to you when they are done, but it costs more that way.
Hi Richard,
Very impressed with the information you’ve given. I’d like to add a few more things to your detail of suits if I may (again, things either myself or co-workers have noticed of Bangkok tailors).
1. Most of the shops that have the “2 suits, 2 shirts, 2 ties etc for $199″ should be avoided at all costs.
2. Definitely ask to burn any fabric before making your decision
3. Avoid any shop that says no fittings are needed.
4. Ask for small arm holes. This is another thing I’ve noticed with the suits in Bangkok. The first was as you mentioned, the large shoulder pads and the second, is the large arm holes. If we are wanting a tapered suit, why oh why do they still make such large arm holes?!
5. Never pay the full balance at the beginning. A deposit of about 50%? should be enough I think.
Lastly, few more shops that are high on my recommended list:
1. Crown Tailors just inside of Sukhumvit soi 8 (my usual tailors that I visit)
2. Rajas on soi 4 (read an article about them in the vogue mag. so they must be good too? :S)
does anyone know a tailor thats good with sowing fitted european shirts/blazers?….possibly with embroidery as well..I NEED ONE ASAP FOR MY CLOTING LINE.
thanks
I have been using Marty’s New Fashion for a long time now. Pretty satisfied always. They are not pushy and don’t have boys standing outside hussling you in. The atmosphere is very comfortable inside the store. I usually go for midrange quality which usually cost around 200 dollars per suit (30 baht/dollar). Location is also convenient between sois 8 and 10 on Sukhumvit rd. Once tried, forever trusted, just like what their website says.
We have been happy with a number of items made for us at Savile Row tailor, which is in the Patpong Road Area. Contact is with Aron - who has always been helpful and obliging. Recently had 2 suits and 12 shirts made for husband, and a cashmere suit made for son, who was not with us - only minor alterations required at home. Very reasonable prices, compared to other bad experience we have had. Has also made cashmere, leather and silk/linen jackets for other family members. We have also sent friends over, who have been very satisfied with the overall service and quality of garments.
Men’s or women’s clothing well made at this store.
contact savilerowfashion@gmail.com
http://www.narin-couture.com
E-mail : narincouture@yahoo.com
Tel. +66 (0) 2251-9237 and 9238 Fax. +66 (0) 2253-3879
Warning -Please avoid the james tailor, Brioni tailor , tony tailor and manhattan tailor… they are all touts shops to get genuine tailoring done in Bangkok please dont let anyone take you there but go in urself you will save time and money.
I have been using the service of Excelsior for years. They also travel to Europe where i had my company uniform made from them. I have always recommended people to them. They always have a large seleciton of fabrics. The fabrics swatches that they stock was large to look.
My suit is fantastic! It’s a notched lapel, three button, Single vents in the imported Ethan Smith Fabrics.
Can contact them at http://www.excelsuits.com