How to Buy Custom-Tailored Clothes in Asia

Vietnam, South Korea, Thailand and other Asian countries are known for having tailors and seamstresses who make exquisitely crafted custom-tailored clothes in a few days (or even a few hours) for unbelievable prices. An evening dress can be as cheap as $15, while suits start as low as $20.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Photographs
• Photographs
• Items of clothing

1. Pack any item of clothing that you want copied and bring magazines and clothing catalogs that show designs you want made. A talented tailor can copy many garments swiftly and skillfully.

2. Ask other travelers, locals, longtime foreign residents or the hotel concierge to recommend a tailor. A good recommendation will save you time and money.

3. Browse fabrics, either at the tailor's shop or in fabric stores. In addition to the variety of silks in Asia--such as raw silk, print silk, patterned silk and brocade--you can buy cotton and other fabrics. Flip through swatches in the store and show them the fabrics and patterns. A tailor will charge for any fabric or trims you do not supply.

4. Give the tailor adequate guidance. If you're using a picture for reference or duplicating an article of clothing, explain any modifications you want to the piece. For example, perhaps you like a dress shirt in a photo, but you don't want the chest pocket, or you may want a slit up both sides of a skirt, not just the left side.

5. Discuss price in advance. Expect to pay a flat rate that includes measurement and fittings. Prices drop when you select a tailor who designs the garment but contracts out for cutting and sewing. Be aware that Hong Kong is not a bargain for custommade clothing; an upscale tailor may charge $500 to $800 to design and sew a man's suit.

6. Get the agreed-upon price in writing with a description of all design options and any additional charges, to eliminate any unpleasant surprises when you pick up your clothes later. Typically, you don't have to pay anything upfront, although some shops require a 50 percent deposit.

7. Find out when the clothes will be ready. Remarkably, clothes are sometimes ready the same day or the following day. However, make sure you allow enough time. It may take three or more visits to order, be fitted and pick up your garment.

8. Try on the finished garment and check both construction and fit. Allow sufficient time to correct any problems.

Tips & Warnings

• The Vietnamese cities of Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and especially Hoi An are known for beautiful tailor-made clothing at bargain prices.
• You can have clothes custom-made for friends and family if you have their measurements. Ask if the tailor will continue the relationship via mail, if you want future garments created. Inquire about having shoes copied, too.
• Often what is called "silk" in Asian countries is actually a synthetic. That said, this replacement looks just as good, doesn't wrinkle and wears better than the real thing.

[john001]

on 6/5/2009 You can buy from www.vlosuit.com, Simply provide him with your size

[ashwerth]

on 5/18/2009 this is good to know about the pre information for buying a custom suit from these asian country.i too have experinced due to frequent visits to some of these countries.you need to be careful about the fabric and actual display of colors in different lights.last but not least the collars and cuffs do matter to a perfect custom suit to a gret extent. sharing my experience with all of you i would say that i have been rather lucky to have found a matching custom tailor for me in bangkok. jiodar custom tailors' services are truely matching with the above mentioned informations.and i would suggest all the readers and my friends also to get them for custom suits at WWW.JIODAR.COM.which provides a complete platform for custom suits and custom shirt,and convenient payment options and delivery give the best value to our money.

[valuesourcer]

on 1/15/2009 Being in the clothing industry for a while now, I realized that top quality raw materials is just 10% of total cost of tailor made shirts. Labor and "branding" make up the rest. If you get low cost labor, that leaves branding to consume majority of the cost. Branding includes marketing like endorsements and other marketing expenses. However, these days, due to internet technology, Tailor made shirts are now affordable. You can even create your own shirts online for just US$29.95 and have it delivered at your doorstep. read up on this blog http://ModernTailor.blogspot.com

[valuesourcer]

on 1/15/2009 Being in the clothing industry for a while now, I realized that top quality raw materials is just 10% of total cost of tailor made shirts. Labor and "branding" make up the rest. If you get low cost labor, that leaves branding to consume majority of the cost. Branding includes marketing like endorsements and other marketing expenses. However, these days, due to internet technology, Tailor made shirts are now affordable. You can even create your own shirts online. read up on this blog http://ModernTailor.blogspot.com

[sarge130]

on 10/1/2008 I am interested in finding a tailor from South Korea, or Vietnam that i could do bissness with through the mail. could anyone help me.
sarge130