Monterey Park Alterations Tailor

Some vacation

Go up to San Marino and visit Bill Cairo Custom Tailors. They are very good. One of the few tailors I'd trust with anything major (so obviously even minor things).

BIll Cairo is super expensive. If it is just slimming down the tailor shop is fine.

Bill Cairo does alterations for me all the time. Yes, he is more expensive, but he knows what he's doing. If you want to have some simple work done and want someone cheaper, go to Vinh's tailor in San Gabriel.

I went to Bill Cairo and was seen by his son Joe.  It wasn't clear to me if the father is still working there, and I didn't want to ask because I thought it might seem rude - as in "you're just the son - where's dad?"

 

Joe was very nice and professional, and to his credit he turned away my business rather than work on a suit jacket he felt he couldn't fix well.

 

But when I asked about the way his shop works he said they have tailors "working for us."

 

So it wasn't clear to me if Joe, the-son-of-bill, is a tailor himself as well, or just the guy handling clients and running the business end of things.

 

If anyone has clarification I'd appreciate it.  It makes me nervous having a non-tailor examine my items and make judgment calls.  On the other hand they seem to have a stellar reputation so I guess it shouldn't matter.

 

 

Wow, I grew up in MPK and didn't think there were any good tailors around. Thanks for the info guys!

Lived in MP also during my earlier years but I drove all the way to Hermosa Beach for my alterations. I know it is out of the way, but if it is a nice suit, a reputable may be worth it. The place is called Manhattan Express Tailor and they were the only place that I trusted to have my suit sleeves shortened by the shoulders. As a caveat, it has been over 7 years but Andy Gilchrist from AAAC (very nice guy and drove with me to show me the place) brought the place to my attention.

If it is minor taking in the torso or something, maybe go to the nearest suit store and ask them who does their alterations.

Dsmivtr - Bill Cairo has an extremely good reputation - they are one of the very few true bespoke operations in Southern California.  Their sport coats start at $2,500 and their alterations are quite expensive.  No need to drive to Hermosa Beach but thanks for the reference.  I've only heard positive things about Cairo but I had pause to think when I realized the father is not the one doing the measuring.  I've since received more positive feedback about them so I'm gonna give them a shot.

Definitely let me know. Since I moved to NYC I'm spoiled with the tailors but should I move back, I'll definitely want to know a reputable tailor! Thanks!

+1. I frequent Manhattan Express Tailor as well and they do a great job. Highly recommended.

 

 

Let me clear this up, as a longtime BCCT client: Joseph is indeed Bill's son, Bill no longer works there, and Joseph does indeed employ additional tailors who work at the back of the shop; as you can see on his racks he has a lot of work and his turnaround time is already pretty slow (2-3 weeks for a jacket). He himself does work as well, as he is a certified master tailor.

Also:

 

Depends on what one wants on a vacation as not everybody is into drunk T&A on a beach (which isn't more than 40 minutes' drive west of Monterey Park anyway if that's your thing). MP happens to have some of the best Chinese food in the world, and this comes from someone who grew up in Vancouver, Canada, and has been to and eaten extensively in Hong Kong, Shanghai, Beijing, San Francisco, and New York. And relatives are as good a reason as any to visit there.