Prices For Custom-Made Casual Clothes?

[newlythai]

Hi - I recently had some women's casual clothes (NOT suits) made by a reputable (I think?) tailor here in BKK. I like her work, but her shop is pretty inconvenient for me, and I want to make sure I'm not overpaying (2000 baht each for linen pants, lined skirt, tunic, shorts, blouses; 4000 for a lined dress). I don't mind paying for quality work, but I deplore overpaying for anything.

What have you paid for custom casual clothes made here? Were you happy with the work?

I used fabrics she had in the store, but next time I will bring my own. How much difference should I expect to pay by bringing in my own fabric?

Who is your tailor in BKK?

I basically want to re-do my wardrobe, so I will be purchasing many, many items over the next several months.

Thanks, all.

[Phronesis]

I had 10 business shirts made by James Tailor in BKK. They are world famous and appear in the Guinness Book of Records.

They offered to deliver to my hotel and asked for my number.

The next day, I received a call from the salesman who took my sizes raving on about how he has to help is poor family and can I lend him some money.

I told him to F Off and to never call my phone again.

I then assumed the shirts would not arrive.

They did, and they were a great fit and well stitched...however the fabrics (5 different fabrics..2 collar style for each fabric) have ALL disintegrated after two or three light washes.

My strategy now is to buy NOTHING in Thailand with the exception of food and other consumables. There are a few honest Thai business people out their...but I frankly do not have the energy to locate them.

Taking your own fabric along is a great idea...because you will avoid what happened to me...but I assume the tailor will baulk at the fact you supplied the fabric as it limits their profits to labour only...

[xen]

I have used Sala Tailers for almost 35 years . Very conservative styles including military and cermonial attire. I paid 500 thb last November to have a pair of tousers made to my design . I bought my material (linen) into them as the seem to have more polyester / cotton blends.. Ther are located just Sukhumvit just before Suk 77 (On-Nut). If you want anything slighty different bring in pictures etc and somebody whospeaks Thai if you can't speak Thai.

[stoffel45]

Sorry to read of Phronesis's bad luck - I promise you it is not typical.

I do have one funny story about a Sukhumvit tailor, recommended by the then Delta Grand Pacific's concierge. I ordered 3 different business suits each with two pairs of trousers. Two were perfectly made and the price was excellent. I had paid for the 2 completed suits but the third suit was having problems.

I am leaving tomorrow.....reply - oh no problem pay now and we'll send it to your hotel. Nope. I will call in in the morning - No sir please not the morning - how about 19:00 before you leave for the airport. Very odd.

It turned out that one of the pairs trousers had two different materials - one leg with a micro thin red stripe - the other plain blue/white pin stripe.

In neon light nearly impossible to spot. In daylight easy. The boss of course fluffed his turban and huffed about the new tailor's eyesight.

I left them the lot and never went back.

In Bangkok, reasonable price, good bosses, Jimmy the obligatory Indian and Lek the tailor ARE a good team, make an excellent product. For uniforms or civvy wear you can't go wrong. Corner of Soi 13 called George Tailor.

In Pattaya - excellent value, great fitting (but you must insist on at least two fittings) is King Tailor - Second Road across from Caesar Palace Hotel. You can park at Central Shopping, come out the front and just walk about 100 metres. Enjoy.