Any Advice On A Good Tailor?

[nekochan]

My husband is hoping to order a tailor made suit (possibly 2 )- as well as a simple evening dress for me while we are in Bangkok.

We're on a pretty tight budget-and not set on designer grade material. Actually I would like to bring fabric and a basic dress design idea with me to make everything that much easier. Any recommendations for reliable + reasonable tailors either in Sukhumvhit, Siam, or Silom or central Bangkok locations? We're hoping to have the finished suit(s) and dress within 3 days if possible. Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks!!

Edited February 11, 2010 by nekochan

[andyashley]

well - first and foremost, the word of advice is that you should NOT fall for the too good to be true deals of 2 suits + 2 shirts + 2 pants all for $199.

Second of all - since you're there only for 3 days, be prepared to go back to the store at least a couple of times for the fittings!

Lastly, the store I'd recommend you to visit is in Sukhumvit soi 8 - Crown Tailors. They should be able to sort you out.

[richm7]

Gulati, on the corner of Sukhumvit and Soi 3. No touts, no ridiculous cheap suit offers, all their business is referrals. Not the cheapest, but still very reasonable. I've had lots of clothes made by them and they even made a Bridesmaids dress for my daughter which turned out very nicely. I've had stuff sent back from the UK for alteration (too many cakes and cream when they got home) and it's always done, no questions asked, with a smile and no charge. I defy anyone to find better.

Oh, and you'll get free beer/soft drinks and snacks while you wait. Ask for Sam Gulati, who is the son.

[barrella]

Gulati, on the corner of Sukhumvit and Soi 3. No touts, no ridiculous cheap suit offers, all their business is referrals. Not the cheapest, but still very reasonable. I've had lots of clothes made by them and they even made a Bridesmaids dress for my daughter which turned out very nicely. I've had stuff sent back from the UK for alteration (too many cakes and cream when they got home) and it's always done, no questions asked, with a smile and no charge. I defy anyone to find better.

Oh, and you'll get free beer/soft drinks and snacks while you wait. Ask for Sam Gulati, who is the son.

All the suit shops are for want of a better word "scams" as all the work is farmed out. But out of these the best is Marco's soi 15.

There have been many postings about his place including from me on other threads.

[richm7]

Gulati, on the corner of Sukhumvit and Soi 3. No touts, no ridiculous cheap suit offers, all their business is referrals. Not the cheapest, but still very reasonable. I've had lots of clothes made by them and they even made a Bridesmaids dress for my daughter which turned out very nicely. I've had stuff sent back from the UK for alteration (too many cakes and cream when they got home) and it's always done, no questions asked, with a smile and no charge. I defy anyone to find better.

Oh, and you'll get free beer/soft drinks and snacks while you wait. Ask for Sam Gulati, who is the son.

All the suit shops are for want of a better word "scams" as all the work is farmed out. But out of these the best is Marco's soi 15.

There have been many postings about his place including from me on other threads.

Come on, that's not fair to call them scams. What do you think happens in Saville Row? You think he sits and stitches your suit? Of course not. Bespoke tailors in Saville Row are "cutters", who cut the material then pass it to a tailor to stitch. Not much different in Thailand. If anybody has an image of a turnkey operation in a tailor in the west, think again. Yes, I'm sure there's the odd exception, but very, very few. You want a tailor who knows what he's doing, cares about his reputation so uses good cutters, good stitchers and good finishers. No different the world over. Gulati understands this. That's why I recommended him. And I am just a very satisfied customer.

The scammers are those advertising two suits for $100.00. Dream on.

[Spaniel]

Check out Raja's Tailor on Sukhumvit Soi 4 opp the Nana Hotel. Excellent work.

[nekochan]

Are dresses possible at all the aforementioned tailor shops???Is anyone familiar with

1. JulieThai Silk and Cotton 12 79 New Road between Silom Road and Surawong Road (closest BTS Saphan Taksin Stn.)
   
2. Siam Emporium @Siam Center
   
3. C&P in Sukhumvit Rd. Sois 10-12
   

Any pros or cons on where to go for a simple woman's evening dress at a reasonable price in a short amount of time also if I'm bringing my own fabric???

Thanks for all the helpful tips and advice!!!

[Kf6vci]

How deeply interested are you? there is a long thread in Thorntree. Google the topic starter geographicus and read the opening post.

If your husband has a standard size and knows that, he should be able to get really good 500-1,000+ suits on eBay for say 1/20. Then the fabric would be Dormeuil / Zegna / Scabal.

Try searching for "bespoke" and he might get an original Savile Row suit which is hand made.

He shouldn't be afraid to order in the USA. On eBay.com I found even suits with floating canvas (it's a sign of quality as these suits will LAST).

***

Start by being tough and demand 100% natural fabrics. For Thailand, I got some 100% woven silk jackets, or choose a mix with linen.

Avoid polyester!

try brand names like Kiton, Zegna, DAKS as thweir better off the rack suits and jackets beat what you get for say THB 6,000. Because then you get some substandard material with high synthetic content. You should see the 100% polyester rubbish sold to be as "Thai silk" when I had no clue and wanted to try tailors. The pants are too bad for gardening! Some show little balls of cloth after the first few days...

***

The suits will be made elsewhere. and for a low price, they slip the necessary fitting while there is work in progress.

Your husband should get 3 used suits of which 2 should beat whatever he can get made on a budget here.

Don't throw away your money only to get something dubious.

Chris

[Kf6vci]

I would read a bit on www.englishcut.com

With suits, you can get a Zegna which cost over $ 1,000 new for as little as $ 15 plus shipping. Try that - and then see how it compares to anything you get made over here. Because the fabric matters. And when you are gullible, then you will fall for the usual "cashmere" nonsense.

I love 100% cashmere and bought a dozen such items, jackets / pullovers / overcoats. Soft, light and very warm. Get the real Mc Coy! And for a Summer suit, choose a suitable fabric first. Silk and linen?

For your own fashion, choose what you like, ignore the price tag and then try to get that $ >1,000 item in good condition for 1/20 on eBay.

Chris