Why purchase tailor made clothes in Bangkok

[SingAPorn]

Currently in Bangkok, many tailors on Sukhumvit are charging absurd rates ranging from 1300 to 2000 THB, some even more,  to make a decent bespoke shirt.

 

These prices are close or similar to prices for good quality, italian cut shirts, one can purchase in Milan or elsewhere in Europe for 50 Euros or even less during the sales.

 

So what's the point ?

 

Why spend in Bangkok at prices that are same as in Europe ? Really not worth the trip anymore.

 

Are we westerners so foolish not to compare and realise the overcharged prices all over Bangkok ?

[Middle Aged Grouch]

Few years ago it was around 30 euros to have a great quality shirt tailored by shops near Nana BTS Bangkok. As the chaps are now asking for 45 euros, no way I will give them my business.

[richard_smith237]

Shirts ok… because they do a decent job… but now that prices are higher, then agreed, there’s little point.

 

& for suits, unless you’re a weird shape, then a decent off the rack suit is nearly always better than the tailors we see in Thailand (IMO). 

[Nick Carter icp]

You are not comparing like for like .

A tailor made shirt in BKK is 2000 Baht and in the U.K its 7000 Baht .

   You  were comparing a tailor made shirt in BKK to a off the shelf shirt back home 

[observer90210]

23 minutes ago, SingAPorn said:

Currently in Bangkok, many tailors on Sukhumvit are charging absurd rates ranging from 1300 to 2000 THB, some even more,  to make a decent bespoke shirt.

 

These prices are close or similar to prices for good quality, italian cut shirts, one can purchase in Milan or elsewhere in Europe for 50 Euros or even less during the sales.

 

So what's the point ?

 

Why spend in Bangkok at prices that are same as in Europe ? Really not worth the trip anymore.

 

Are we westerners so foolish not to compare and realise the overcharged prices all over Bangkok ?

The quality and cuts on upper scale retail garment brands all over Bangkok malls,  have highly improved. At highly competitive prices. Far better value for money now in the Bangkok malls with the top garment brands.

 

I'm definately not going back to any tailor chop shop on Sukhumvit,  considering their current inflated price tags.

[SingAPorn]

4 minutes ago, Nick Carter icp said:

You are not comparing like for like .

A tailor made shirt in BKK is 2000 Baht and in the U.K its 7000 Baht .

   You  were comparing a tailor made shirt in BKK to a off the shelf shirt back home 

You are not taking into account the fixed costs of production.

 

A tailor who does the actual cut and the job costs 1/3 the price in Bangkok, compared to "home". Not to mention the other variable costs of production (cloth, electricity, rent) that are 10 times less in Thailand. Not to mention that most tailors in Bangkok do not actually stick the orders. The clothes are done in back side sweatshops, charging low production costs,

[Liverpool Lou]

27 minutes ago, SingAPorn said:

So what's the point ?

 

Why spend in Bangkok at prices that are same as in Europe ?

Because we live here!

 

How many people come to Bangkok just for tailored shirts?

[Nick Carter icp]

Talking of clothes costs , I have found that clothes in the U.K are about the same price as clothes in Thailand .

   For standard quality clothes the prices are comparable , although you can buy cheap low quality clothes in Thailand 

[SingAPorn]

2 minutes ago, Liverpool Lou said:

Because we live here!

 

How many people come to Bangkok just for tailored shirts?

There are many tourists who do not come to buy tailored clothes, obviously. 

 

But quite a few end up in getting tempted and purchasing, thinking that they are making a deal.

 

You are not the only client for the overcharging tailors of Sukhumvit. Just look at the signs in these shops written in foreign languages and displaying prices in Euros,  Swiss Francs,  Indian Rupees or Dollars.

 

 

[richard_smith237]

7 minutes ago, Liverpool Lou said:

36 minutes ago, SingAPorn said:

So what's the point ?

 

Why spend in Bangkok at prices that are same as in Europe ?

Because we live here!

 

How many people come to Bangkok just for tailored shirts?

You missed the point…

 

Many tourists pick up a suit / shirts etc when here.
It used to be because of the savings on setting tailored clothes. 
But, if the cost of a tailored shirt here is the same as that in Europe, then why bother, especially if it eats into ‘holiday time’.

 

Perhaps the ‘fun’ of getting your own tailored shirts is part of the holiday.

 Or, perhaps more likely, tourists would never consider going to a tailor in their home country anyway.

[Fab5BKK]

Please compare "like for like"...

 

A good bespoke shirt made in London (Savile Row) will cost you a minimum of GBP 200 = THB 8,900.

 

While a nice bespoke shirt from a good tailor in Bangkok (e.g.: Tailor on Ten) will cost you THB 2,800...

 

Same kind of difference for suits...

 

I live and work in Bangkok. For business use (suits, shirts), I go for bespoke. For something more casual, I go for the "off the shelves" (Levi's, M & S, Uniqlo, etc.)

[observer90210]

45 minutes ago, Fab5BKK said:

Please compare "like for like"...

 

A good bespoke shirt made in London (Savile Row) will cost you a minimum of GBP 200 = THB 8,900.

 

While a nice bespoke shirt from a good tailor in Bangkok (e.g.: Tailor on Ten) will cost you THB 2,800...

 

Same kind of difference for suits...

 

I live and work in Bangkok. For business use (suits, shirts), I go for bespoke. For something more casual, I go for the "off the shelves" (Levi's, M & S, Uniqlo, etc.)

You are comparing a Bugatti Veyron with a Toyota.

 

Both are individually and respectively efficient, get the job done,  but absolutely not comparable.

 

Most expats who live in BKK,  travel a lot and are more and nore getting the business apparel tailored or purchased ready made abroad, as they know the prices and want to get a extra mile for the money.

[Fab5BKK]

2 hours ago, observer90210 said:

You are comparing a Bugatti Veyron with a Toyota.

 

Both are individually and respectively efficient, get the job done,  but absolutely not comparable.

 

Most expats who live in BKK,  travel a lot and are more and nore getting the business apparel tailored or purchased ready made abroad, as they know the prices and want to get a extra mile for the money.

If you say so...

 

Just 3 questions (for the first 2 , I did/do...):

1. Did/do you use any Savile Row' s tailor?

2. Did/do you use BKK tailors such as Tailor on Ten?

3. Did you talk to every single expat based in Bangkok?

[Liverpool Lou]

15 hours ago, SingAPorn said:

You are not the only client for the overcharging tailors of Sukhumvit.

Didn't say that I was...and I'm not. Mine doesn't overcharge.

[Walker88]

If you think the material and quality of workmanship is similar to those "Italian" cut shirts in the EU, then it's definitely not worth it unless you're stuck in Thailand for a long time and need a shirt now. I don't think any of the Sukhumvit tailors are going to give Stefano Ricci a run for his money ($700 shirts in Sea Island cotton).

 

I went with a visiting friend to Tailor on Ten, which non-eponymously is located at the end of Sukh Soi 8. What he was fitted for was of quite high quality. He's a super fit martial arts international champion, so he has a body made for fitted garments. He was quite pleased with what he bought.

 

I went through their materials, and they have a good range of quality. I first had them make some linen shorts to test the build quality. Nice. I subsequently ordered some pleated linen slacks in a few colors, and have been quite pleased. They are likely to be slightly more expensive than the prices you quoted, but I suspect the quality of the garment produced will beat any 50 euro shirt you can find in the EU. It depends on how fussy you are about your wardrobe, what quality of cotton you want, how tight a weave, if you are particular about button type, stitching thread, accents, etc.

[owl sees all]

15 hours ago, Nick Carter icp said:

Talking of clothes costs , I have found that clothes in the U.K are about the same price as clothes in Thailand .

   For standard quality clothes the prices are comparable , although you can buy cheap low quality clothes in Thailand 

This is not my experience.

 

If you go to one of the bigger markets. North Weald or Wembley you are lucky to get a shirt for under a fiver. And very often they are creased up, and could be seconds.

 

Here in Isaan. A very decent shirt costs about 80 baht. Bought one the other day. '100% cotton.' 'Superior quality.' Very smart. Red and white check. But subtle, not at all ostentatious?.

 

However, I have found difficulty in getting plain white shirts - with a top pocket - for less than 120 baht. When I'm out and about I always wear a 'taliored' shirt. When I go to farm I often wear a footy shirt. Have loads of different ones. Man City, Spurs, Italian National Team, even a Scottish one.

 

 

 

 

[crazykopite]

I was there in February this year had a beautiful shirt made for 1050 baht he started off at 1,700 baht if I go to Uniqlo a shirt will cost me upwards of 750 baht . The one I had made was to my own design high collar double stitching slim fit . I went to three shops before I did the deal he even delivered to my hotel the next day it was perfect made out of high grade cotton 

[NoshowJones]

17 hours ago, Middle Aged Grouch said:

Few years ago it was around 30 euros to have a great quality shirt tailored by shops near Nana BTS Bangkok. As the chaps are now asking for 45 euros, no way I will give them my business.

I am a bit puzzled by this topic, every time I pass a tailors shop in Bangkok or Pattaya, they are always empty, I always wondered why they manage to stay in business.

[SportRider]

It's easy to be cynical about the tailor shops on Sukhumvit area, if you have had a bad experience. 

 

Ultimately you do get what you pay for, but it should be reasonable prices for well-tailored shirts and suits made from quality materials.

 

I highly recommend "Andrew and Walker" tailors - You can have a conversation with the tailor while he's measuring you up. Discuss what style you're looking for, help you choose the material (not force it on you).. etc.  A very reassuring process.  The final product is excellent high quality.

 

They are inside the Lotus Hotel Soi Sukhumvit 33.

[ujayujay]

On the subject of cotton: I don't know what this means, but 100% cotton is not at all ideal for the tropical climate in Thailand. Once you sweat wet, it won't dry! If anything, I have my shirts made from linen: perfect for the hot climate without sweating!

[Freddy42OZ]

Only people who are an unusual shape need custom made shirts.  Typically that means fat blokes or the ones who insist they need to work out so much that they have biceps like a normal persons thigh.

Maintain a normal body size and you can walk into Zara or H&M and buy shirts off the rack.



 

[Captain Monday]

1 hour ago, NoshowJones said:

I am a bit puzzled by this topic, every time I pass a tailors shop in Bangkok or Pattaya, they are always empty, I always wondered why they manage to stay in business.

In Chiang Mai the men at many of these storefronts don’t even bother to tout outside anymore.  My last experience they quoted some ridiculous price, as if to drive the custom away, then back to their mobiles.
 

Perhaps the dozens of idle tailor shops evidence some kind of scam ????‍♂️ 

[owl sees all]

Some people have more money than sense.

[AgMech Cowboy]

19 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

Shirts ok… because they do a decent job… but now that prices are higher, then agreed, there’s little point.

 

& for suits, unless you’re a weird shape, then a decent off the rack suit is nearly always better than the tailors we see in Thailand (IMO). 

I agree. Sadly, I don't go to Europe or the US anymore and the stores in Bangkok can't fit me... ???? (i'm not THAT big... US-XL, sometimes XXL)

[fondue zoo]

1 hour ago, ujayujay said:

On the subject of cotton: I don't know what this means, but 100% cotton is not at all ideal for the tropical climate in Thailand. Once you sweat wet, it won't dry! If anything, I have my shirts made from linen: perfect for the hot climate without sweating!

Can second this, I'm a sweaty betty by nature, and the single linen shirt I own is cooler and dries faster by comparison.

 

[rbpeters]

For me when living here I did not get suits made as a 42L from Marks and Spencer fitted me well. But when it came to shirts for work, fashion changed so it was difficult to find shirts with top pockets which I wanted and I liked a slightly looser neck (in the days when we had to wear ties)  which meant for off the shelf I would have to have a really baggy shirt and also the arm lengths did not quite fit and the cuff was a bit tight with my fitness watch. So buying "made to measure" gave me exactly what I wanted. It was not about cost it was about having something I felt really comfortable wearing and looked very smart. And no I would not have gone to Saville row to get them made there.

[digbeth]

15-20 years ago when there were still Thai-Chinese owned tailor shops catering to Thais you can still get decent value, ever since then all shops on the main Sukhumvit Road has been bought up by the Indians targeting tourists it's not quite the same. The non-indian shops still left around the area in Thonglor or Ekamai either has lead time in weeks or months due to volume of their clientele, you won't get your shirt or suits next day like from those indians in Nana, or the newer generation Thai tailor has moved into malls with corresponding price

 

[SingAPorn]

Buy the shirts from Giordano or Uniqlo then take the shirt to any reliable Soi tailor shop. They will do a great job in making the cut length up-to-date. The extra cost will always be less then the new scamming prices on some Sukhumvit tailors asking for 1800 THB (and more) just to hand out decent cloth and a good shirt. Yes compared to europe bla bla...but this is Thailand where foreigners come for quality at a propre price and not have to pay such inflated US rates or western nation rates for labour that costs a fraction of the cost here. Believe it, the real talent who cuts and stitches the shirt in Bangkok does not get all the extra money. It's usually the chaps at the store who make the cast.

 

Not to mention the Bangkok Tailor's  "European tours" where they come to cities in Europe, rent hotels and start touting customers in seedy hotel rooms to measure and take orders. Wonder if they pay tax on this type of business abroad or back in Thailand on these European Tailor Tours ?

[moontang]

They are dishonest about both wool and cotton content.  I buy short sleeve dress shirts in tall size from ll Bean..I wait for the 20% off a d pay 32 USD..free shipping in US.  Often made in Malaysia, with cotton from the US or Peru.  I bought a few on Sukhumvit in 1998..the fit was good, but they didn't last.  Bangkok is a polyester world.  Oh, and LL bean wrinkle free is truly no iron, and it dries fast.  All those Sukhumvit shirts require ironing.  The bottom line is Thailand doesn't play fair on imports and has a serious counterfeiting problem.

[Sigmund]

I would never dream getting ripped off in some tailors shop around Nana or Ashoke BTS.

 

Was in India this year and got high end tailor shirts made in New Delhi for US$ 20 each. Bought 10 pieces. 

 

The fabrics, cut and tailoring was beyond international standards - real top class work (look out for the shops in an hi-so area called South Extension). The worksmanship and cloth outclassed much of the best shirtmakers in the west. The suit fabrics were costly but cheaper then Bangkok and never saw such fine material, choice of colours and mainly the silk wool.  I am never going to pay 40 or 50 bucks or more,  to get tailor made bespoke shirts in Bangkok or anyplace else.