Bangkok tailors were the focus of an investigation this week in the Spectrum section of the Bangkok Post, which ran an investigative article on a number of tailors and some of the underhanded tactics used to fool inexperienced tourists looking for a bargain on bespoke suites.
With hundreds of tailor shops in Bangkok, Hua Hin, Koh Samui, Pattaya and other tourist spots, it has became a huge industry generating large profits.
“That’s why there are so many tailor’s shops everywhere,” said the owner of a reputable tailor shop on Sukhumvit Road, near Soi 4, whose customers are mainly diplomats and foreign officials.
“I estimate that the majority of tailor shops in Thailand are bad, and only 5% are honest. Among the dozens of tailors on this road [Sukhumvit], only two or three are good.
“The bad tailors will deceive customers in a variety of ways to make quick money. They use, for example, cheap materials but tell you that they are expensive wool fabrics imported from Italy, Spain or England. My profit is only 25%. I’m working on a low margin because I don’t want to spoil my reputation.”
Not all tailors in Thailand are dodgy and in fact Thailand used to have quite a good reputation for custom made clothes. I have had a number of suites and shirts made at a particular Bangkok tailor and have had no problems, and am in fact always very happy with the quality of the work done. I would not hesitate to recommend them and I have in fact done so in numerous Thailand related forums that I contribute to.
Here a few tips that should help you avoid disappointments with tailors in Thailand.
- Avoid any place that has hawkers in the street. If they need to drag people in off the street aggressively, they cannot be very good.
- Also avoid places that advertise in touristy publications like flight magazines.
- If you go in for the deal 129 USD deal that includes 2 “wool” suits, a summer suit, 3 spare pairs of pants, 5 shirts and 15 silk neckties, you can expect to get exactly what you pay for.
- Don’t agree to have your clothes delivered to your hotel on the day you leave Thailand or even the day before. And for goodness sake, don’t let them drive you to the airport or deliver your clothes to you at the airport.
- Try to make your first visit to the tailors within the first two days of your trip. Don’t tell them when you are leaving, ask them instead when they can have it done by.
- Pretty much all problems can be avoided if you find a reputable tailor. Asking the concierge of a 5 star hotel will normally get you to a good tailor.
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{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Or just research for some recommended tailors or find out from your friends/families where they’ve been happy with. Remember, recommendation is always better than advertisement!
That’s true John, and I can recommend Chinese Tailors on Patchaburi Road.
I’ve had a number of suits and shirts made there and have never had a problem with them. The quality of materials and workmanship is great. The only thing is, the salesman that always takes care of me is a little gruff.
My husband has been happy with Excelsior opposite the Le Meredien. The quality is good and price is reasonable. We luckily found them at night while eating at a restaurant opposite the shop and notice lots of customers visiting them.
We tried and they were really good with the quality.
They will measure you, so it will be made to measure, whatever size you are.To get it made in 4 days make it your first job to price one up. Prices are about 50-75% for what we would pay for an off the peg one in places like Marks & Spencer – not really an aussie equivelant.
I’m onto my third suit from Savile Row Custom Tailor in the last two years, and personally I think the quality and value are second to none. I wouldn’t hesitate in recommending this tailors to anyone. They are on level 1, and even if you don’t have enough time, they will post your suit to you anywhere in the world, if you’re really lucky, you get a beer while being measured up. Top class service. The work was excellent, the shirts are holding up very well, and everyone loves the suit.
First, with cottons, the greater the number, the higher the number of threads per square inch/cm. That translates to finer threads, and much softer fabric.
As for wool, depends upon where you are going be wearing the suit. They are going to have bolts upon bolts of fabric to choose from, and they will be able to help you with the weight, once you are there. The suit I wrote about is 100% wool, but it is extremely light, in fact a bit too light for the Atlanta winter. It is almost like a heavy silk.If you have never gotten custom made clothes before, you are actually in for a treat. Aside from their fitting better, suddenly you have a choice of fabrics, and you can select your clothes based on feel rather than simply upon appearance. It really is a big change. While I can afford off the shelf Egyptian cotton shirts, most of my custom made stuff is Egyptian cotton. (The ultimate fairness in life is that Sea Island cotton is even nicer than Egyptian, and the Sea Islands are just off the Georgia coast, and I still can afford the stuff here
Websites. http://www.savilerowcustomtailors.com