Hong Kong Tailor- Empire Int'l Tailors- Help with the fit of my suit

FlyingMonkey said:

If they will do a few things to make it wearable, fine

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So what constitutes "wearable?" Lengthen the jacket? Alter the pants? I know there is a whole list of things to do differently next time, and I am certainly taking them into consideration, but my main area of concern (as it has been throughout the entire thread) is what do I need to do to THIS suit to improve it? I'm not talking about a theoretical suit I will have made in the future; I'm talking about what should I ask the tailor for when I take THIS suit into the tailor again to have finishing touches done, if anything at all.

Some seem to suggest this suit is too far gone, others say fix the pants, others yet give a very long list of things to ask for, and everything in between. I'm still searching for a finalized list to ask the tailor about. So far, It seems to me like the most agreed upon and useful things to be altered are lengthening the jacket and inquiring about the pants.

Dear forum members,

I just came across this thread while doing further research online on Hong Kong tailors, and I became a little curious about my own suit which I had recently purchased from the same company. So finally I decided to open up an account ( something I now wish I had done well before) .Coming from San Francisco, I am in Hong Kong for roughly 1 more week visiting relatives. The worry I have is that I've already purchased 2 suits, 4 shirts, 4 ties from Empire Tailors, just like Robetrw006 did. It is my first bespoke suit and Its mainly for a job interview I have coming up in July. I had heard great things about EmpireTailors so I thought to give them a try. Since its pretty much my first suit ever, I wasn't sure what to look/ ask for and would love some comments/ opinions from the stylish members of this forum...

-I had requested a modern slim cut overall, but still business and office appropriate as I will be working in mostly sales and dealings.
Question: is it too much of a slim fit? Or still appropriate for the business environment? I need to be taken seriously at work..

-I paid around 1600 USD for 2 suits and 4 shirts, I think it was the package deal a couple of levels above the one Robetrw006 went for. The tailor told me that this was a good, durable, Italian fabric and one of the higher end ones.
Question: for those who have experience with Hong Kong Tailors, does this look like its worth the dollars? I spent a little over my budget... (but I have a habit of doing that)

- The tailor explained that the mild curvature in the mid section of the jacket gives it a modern look, and moves me away from the "boxy cut".
Question: Is the tapering too extreme, or is that how it normally should look? I am not quite sure but I think that is the part of the jacket Robetrw006 seems to be talking about?

-Question: I had 2 fittings, is that normally enough for a good bespoke tailored suit?

I am happy with the suit and shirts, they feel good and the fabric is great. I agree with Robetrw006 that the tailors/staff were helpful and nice but once again I would really appreciate opinions from those with experience as I have none, so I am just slightly worried. I have one more week here, so if there needs to be anything done the tailor said I can always come back for alterations..

** My opinion on Robetrw006 's Suit, I think your jacket looks good but your pants really need some work done.

Thank you all in advance!!!

C. Chan

Excellent looking suit! While it is certainly on the very slim side, I wouldn't judge it as too slim for work. Of course, it depends on your work environment.

The package you got is actually the same one I got, only I paid for the middle price point. I chose the middle price point and when my friend and I mentioned we were university students Nick (I believe it was Nick, anyway. The slimmer of the two) said he would bump up the fabric quality for us for free! This is yet another reason why I was sold on Empire and not Simpson Sin.

Finally, I have a feeling that Empire, and most HK tailors for that matter, really know how to make a good suit for a slim guy. Especially when it comes to Asian-standard skinny, they really know how to outfit a fella. For my "athletic" body type, not so much. My friend (who is also Asian) had a sharp looking suit in only 2 fittings as well. The upside for you is I believe you got the better looking suit. His is nice, but I like the look of yours much better.

Don't sweat it, you have a super clean looking suit. It is definitely more on the slim side than the classic side, but it should definitely get you through work in style for the next few years before its time for something else. If it was me, I would ask for something a little more classic next time. It will stay in fashion for longer.


I am admittedly new and not terribly educated about suits, but yours has definitely caught my relatively untrained eye. I'm jealous! Also, do you mind providing another photo of the front, but more in focus(and possibly better lighting)? I'm curious to see the details of your jacket.



CornChan223 said:

Dear forum members, I just came across this thread while doing further research online on Hong Kong tailors, and I became a little curious about my own suit which I had recently purchased from the same company. So finally I decided to open up an account ( something I now wish I had done well before) .Coming from San Francisco, I am in Hong Kong for roughly 1 more week visiting relatives. The worry I have is that I've already purchased 2 suits, 4 shirts, 4 ties from Empire Tailors, just like Robetrw006 did. It is my first bespoke suit and Its mainly for a job interview I have coming up in July. I had heard great things about EmpireTailors so I thought to give them a try. Since its pretty much my first suit ever, I wasn't sure what to look/ ask for and would love some comments/ opinions from the stylish members of this forum... -I had requested a modern slim cut overall, but still business and office appropriate as I will be working in mostly sales and dealings. Question: is it too much of a slim fit? Or still appropriate for the business environment? I need to be taken seriously at work.. -I paid around 1600 USD for 2 suits and 4 shirts, I think it was the package deal a couple of levels above the one Robetrw006 went for. The tailor told me that this was a good, durable, Italian fabric and one of the higher end ones. Question: for those who have experience with Hong Kong Tailors, does this look like its worth the dollars? I spent a little over my budget... (but I have a habit of doing that) - The tailor explained that the mild curvature in the mid section of the jacket gives it a modern look, and moves me away from the "boxy cut". Question: Is the tapering too extreme, or is that how it normally should look? I am not quite sure but I think that is the part of the jacket Robetrw006 seems to be talking about? -Question: I had 2 fittings, is that normally enough for a good bespoke tailored suit? I am happy with the suit and shirts, they feel good and the fabric is great. I agree with Robetrw006 that the tailors/staff were helpful and nice but once again I would really appreciate opinions from those with experience as I have none, so I am just slightly worried. I have one more week here, so if there needs to be anything done the tailor said I can always come back for alterations.. ** My opinion on Robetrw006 's Suit, I think your jacket looks good but your pants really need some work done. Thank you all in advance!!! C. Chan

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Your suit looks very good. The price paid for is not bad.



robetrw006 said:

So what constitutes "wearable?" Lengthen the jacket? Alter the pants? I know there is a whole list of things to do differently next time, and I am certainly taking them into consideration, but my main area of concern (as it has been throughout the entire thread) is what do I need to do to THIS suit to improve it? I'm not talking about a theoretical suit I will have made in the future; I'm talking about what should I ask the tailor for when I take THIS suit into the tailor again to have finishing touches done, if anything at all.

Some seem to suggest this suit is too far gone, others say fix the pants, others yet give a very long list of things to ask for, and everything in between. I'm still searching for a finalized list to ask the tailor about. So far, It seems to me like the most agreed upon and useful things to be altered are lengthening the jacket and inquiring about the pants.

Click to expand...

I'd lengthen the coat if possible, fix the pants and see if they can take in the waist of the coat. Good luck!



dragon8 said:

Your suit looks very good. The price paid for is not bad.

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It does look good. Perhaps the lower right back could be cleaned up a bit more, as well as the back of the trousers, but that could just as well be the consequence of robostance.



robetrw006 said:

For my "athletic" body type, not so much.

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Is that what we are calling it these days?

Your suits looks pretty good C. Chan. There is some issues with the right sleeve pitch. I would probably have slightly less waist suppression than what you have now. Also ask your tailor to open up the front/ quarters more, currently it is too close in.

If your tailor is competent two fittings should be enough. As you gain more experience through the fitting process you'll know what to look out for. All in all not bad for first attempt.



dragon8 said:

Your suit looks very good. The price paid for is not bad.

Click to expand...

It looks better that Robetrw006's garment.

However there is too much waist suppression, the quarters are far too closed and the front of the coat looks a tad short.

A good tailor should be able to achieve a decent fit in two fittings, many at this end of the market struggle with three or even four because they lack competence.