I am considering buying custom-made suits for the first time. Sure enough, there are people to ask about this on the Internet!
I've long noticed the ads for "Hong Kong" tailors in newspapers and had heard a long time ago that this was a reasonable way to get a better fitting suit (compared to, say, a department store). Since I started thinking about this, I've come across what seem to be three plausible options:
1. William Sani (advertisement in the Wall Street Journal, apparently has been advertising there for years).
2. The Tailored Man, Alexandria, Virginia (Ad in Washington Post--I live in the area).
3. Raja Fashions (puts a lot of effort into getting press, for sure).
To define my needs: I am a senior level career employee with the U.S. government, and would like some suits that look and feel appropriate for this type of work.
Would any of these makers represent a step up from buying off the rack at a department store or Joseph Banks? What should I expect, and do you have any tips for dealing with them?
I've long noticed the ads for "Hong Kong" tailors in newspapers and had heard a long time ago that this was a reasonable way to get a better fitting suit (compared to, say, a department store). Since I started thinking about this, I've come across what seem to be three plausible options:
1. William Sani (advertisement in the Wall Street Journal, apparently has been advertising there for years).
2. The Tailored Man, Alexandria, Virginia (Ad in Washington Post--I live in the area).
3. Raja Fashions (puts a lot of effort into getting press, for sure).
To define my needs: I am a senior level career employee with the U.S. government, and would like some suits that look and feel appropriate for this type of work.
Would any of these makers represent a step up from buying off the rack at a department store or Joseph Banks? What should I expect, and do you have any tips for dealing with them?
*And tailors that need to advertise are not very good- kinda like they're increasing units sold but not the quality. The great ones have enough clients from word of mouth. *HKD is pegged 7.5 to the USD, given low cost of living in HK, you can get a lot for a very reasonable price. *W.W. Chan seems to be popular for suits (out of my price range - i have my own old school tailor in HK who reportedly does cutting, and tailoring all by hand). *Jantzen is VERY popular for shirts - US$50 per shirt, but it tends to be a 'hit and miss' thing. Might as well grab a few while you're here *A final note, be prepared to stay at least 1 week for one suit. You'll need to pick fabric on the first day (pay 1/3 deposit). Usually they can get you come back for 1st fitting on the next day. And possible if you're really fussy anotehr fitting a few days later before your suit is ready in a week (or sent to you in US if you wish). *if you're new to bespoke, note that the most changes can only be done druing hte first fitting, so you need to be careful to know what you want- the silouette/shape of the suit, tapered waist or waht kind of shoulders- extra or minimal padding. *After the jacket is done, alterations can be made but an expert here said think of alterations as 'surgery', only do as a last resort.
