How to Have Clothes Custom Made in Hong Kong

Expert tailors still lurk in the back corners of Hong Kong's many skyscrapers. Long gone are the days when you could have shirts made overnight, but over the course of a week, you can walk away with some phenomenal pieces made to fit your exact measurements.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Fabrics
• Measuring Tapes

1. Have a clear idea of what you'd like to have made before your departure. Hand-tailored garments are pricey and made to last. Use this as an opportunity to fill your closet with basics: suits, slacks, dresses, jackets and tailored shirts.

2. Understand the price structure. You'll be charged a flat rate, which includes measurements and fittings, for the type of garment you wish to have made. A tailor also charges for any fabric or trims that you do not supply yourself.

3. Ensure that you have sufficient yardage when providing your own fabric. Let fabric suppliers know what you intend to have made, through description or picture, and get their professional opinion on the number of yards needed.

4. Remember that you will require more fabric if you wish to line up patterns and stripes at the seams, and also be aware that wasting fabric is an inevitable part of garment making.

5. Know what you're paying for. The most exclusive Hong Kong tailors, who design and make your garment in-house, will charge $500 to $800 for a top-of-the-line man's suit and $100 to $175 for labor alone on women's pants, dresses and jackets.

6. The prices will drop dramatically when you select a tailor who designs your garment but contracts it out for cutting and sewing.

7. Visit a few tailors before you commit to one. Ask to see finished garments and check stitching, balance in construction and quality of fabric and lining.

8. Settle on the price and due date before you proceed. Make sure you have enough time for measurements, fittings, payment and pick up. Expect a minimum of three visits. A 50 percent deposit is required to begin the process.

Tips & Warnings

• Need a place to start? Check out the Burlington Arcade on Nathan Road, an old building that houses many good, reasonably priced tailors. The most exclusive and expensive tailors can be found in and around the city's most expensive hotels.
• Like what you already have? Bring your favorite pair of pants and have additional pairs made in different fabrics and colors.
• Remember that Hong Kong is full of tailors who specialize in structured garments. Most do not have the skills or the inclination to make unstructured pieces like a wrap dress or a wedding gown.
• Avoid the establishments that advertise packaged deals - a fixed price for a range of garments.

[john001]

on 6/5/2009 if you like ,whatever you are in anywhere, you can order from www.vlosuit.com, you only need to privide your meausrement size.

[ttaylor]

on 1/26/2009 If you are looking for a custom made suit, shirts or jacket, look no farther then OM Custom Tailors. I am a Canadian citizen had spent some time in Hong Kong and was looking for a Tailor and found OM Custom Tailors. Not only are the suits and shirts I purchased the best quality and design, but the best service is top in the world. Every time I put on one of my suits or shirts from the store I receive numerous compliments from friends, even strangers on how sharp I look. OM Tailors is your one stop shop for any custom clothing you need. Even though I am back in Canada now, I still order more shirts every 3-4 months. Trust me on this one, if you’re looking for the highest quality clothing at a price that will astound you, go to see Vijay at OM Custom Tailors or visit their website at http://www.omtailors.com/. You will not be disappointed!

[George991]

on 11/13/2008 Chow, too bad your experience wasn't a good one, although alot of people have had bad experience with Hong Kong tailors, maybe this article needs a few more tips of how to FIND the right tailor..which is usually the problem.

Perhaps I got lucky with my tailor (Om custom tailors) 'cause Im not complaining at all, happy as a clown!

[chow]

on 7/17/2008 I work in Central in Hong Kong. I am very disappointed by the defective shirts made by tailor Tai Pan Row. When i showed them the defects due to dis-colorization after the first wash. They blamed it on the detergent i might be using. They claimed their materials were perfect and nothing could go wrong. I swear i will never shop there again and i told all my friends not to. This kind of "blame it on the customer" attitude is really a disgrace to HK tailors. I now buy my shirts from brand name shops, i dont mind to pay more for the certainty.

[chow]

on 7/17/2008 abc