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Manila Tailor

post #1 of 284
12/12/07 at 1:53am
Thread Starter 
Hey guys, I'm going to be in Manila (Philippines) starting next week and -- if possible -- I'd like to get some shirts made. I know it's a bit of a sartorial wasteland from the threads I've found, but my itinerary is set (no time to stop off in HK). I'm looking for good fit and value, not necessarily high quality (though decent fabrics would be nice). Is it possible? Worthwhile? Anyone have any advice on where to look? Thanks!
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post #2 of 284
12/13/07 at 2:19am
Save your money, seriously.
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post #3 of 284
12/13/07 at 3:55am
very nice.
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post #4 of 284
12/13/07 at 4:19am
I've had several shirts made by Cornell's Custom Tailor 8485 Kalayaan Ave. Barangay Poblacion, Makati City, Tel: 896-65-24. Shirts go for about $20. He can make a very good suit for about $150 too. They're fused, but they're as good as a $1000 designer's suit in the US. Fit is good. He likes closed quarters, longish sleeves, and pressed flat lapels, but can do the otherwise if you specify it. Also, he likes to set the buttons and buttonholes on a coat front a bit too far from the edge, imo. The best thing to do is to bring something for him to copy. This is true for all Asian tailors, imo. They're incredible at copying. Also, his fabrics and trimming aren't the best, but if you bring your own, the labor prices are possibly unbelievable. Tip well. You can get good fabric and shell buttons for shirts at most major malls.
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post #5 of 284
12/13/07 at 5:11am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Coho View Post
You obviously have not been around much. There are excellent tailors literally anywhere in the world, from far reached places as Ghana, Sudan, Chile and Mongolia. My advice is to visit Manila and ask the locals. The most expensive place is usually the best place to visit. Every country has an elite and if you ask around you will learn where they get their clothes made.
You know, you're absolutely right. Brilliant! I mean, yeah, who am I to know, right? Its not like I have an account in Bergamo and Kingsmen, two of the more well-known tailoring establishments in Manila. And its not like I had around 4 suits made with Philip over the years, another well-known tailoring shop in Manila operating since the 70s. Yeah, and it's not like the guy that does my alterations is the in-house tailor of the shop that sold Corneliani and Cerruti jackets in Manila. And it's not like I am friends with some members of the family that owns Rustan's, the high end department store in Manila, and the Stores Specialist Group, which brings in LV, Gucci, Kors, Zara, DKNY, and just the other month, Gap. And it's not like I am a regular at Paul Smith Manila, nor am I a client of Homme et Femme, a specialty store that sells APC, Dior Homme and Yohji Yamamoto, among others. And it's not like I'm not banging my head against the wall for missing the Pal Zileri suits on sale from an already-closed store in Makati for $300. Jeesh. Yeah, what do I know right? I think I should start going around.
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post #6 of 284
12/13/07 at 9:59am
sounds good.
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post #7 of 284
12/13/07 at 10:26am
Quote:
Originally Posted by emptym View Post
I've had several shirts made by Cornell's Custom Tailor
8485 Kalayaan Ave. Barangay Poblacion, Makati City,
Tel: 896-65-24.

Shirts go for about $20.
He can make a very good suit for about $150 too. They're fused, but they're as good as a $1000 designer's suit in the US. Fit is good. He likes closed quarters, longish sleeves, and pressed flat lapels, but can do the otherwise if you specify it. Also, he likes to set the buttons and buttonholes on a coat front a bit too far from the edge, imo.

Hey thanks for this info. I'm currently getting a suit done by Gregg Centeno. Will check out your recommendation for my next one.
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post #8 of 284
12/13/07 at 10:33am
The OP may find this link helpful: http://www.asiatour.com/philippines/...ep-man16_e.htm
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post #9 of 284
12/13/07 at 11:54am
Quote:
Originally Posted by acidicboy View Post
...... And its not like I had around 4 suits made with Philip over the years, another well-known tailoring shop in Manila operating since the 70s..

Do you mean King Philip? I spoke to the head cutter there a few months back, he said that hand basted canvas was an option.. And one thing: I espied a wonderful vintage heavyweight cotton cavelry twill when I was there.. really really nice
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post #10 of 284
12/13/07 at 12:01pm
That's impressive, Acidboy. Have you tried Cornell's? He was recommended to me by my ex-girlfriend's family. He was better than any of the other's I've tried, but I've never tried any of the ones you mentioned.
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post #11 of 284
12/13/07 at 2:38pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by T4phage View Post
Do you mean King Philip? I spoke to the head cutter there a few months back, he said that hand basted canvas was an option..
Eh? They insisted they did not do that.

Their pants at $80 are incredible value as they fit excellently and you can ask for every detail you want. They have decent cloth on hand.

Just look for King Philip along Pasay Road, Makati City (the Manila financial district).
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post #12 of 284
12/13/07 at 2:40pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Coho View Post
You obviously have not been around much. There are excellent tailors literally anywhere in the world, from far reached places as Ghana, Sudan, Chile and Mongolia. My advice is to visit Manila and ask the locals.
He just did ask the locals and Acidboy is right. Suits from the more noteworthy establishments all look dead and mediocre, and the lowest end of good fabric at King Philip is horribly marked up. At best, you might bring your own fabric.

As far as I know, the locals from the upper classes with some sense of style all have their suits made in Hong Kong.

You obviously have not been around much.
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post #13 of 284
12/13/07 at 2:43pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by bbaquiran View Post
Riiiiiigggghhhhhtttttt.

Cashmere for less than $20 a yard, eh?

At least the writeup didn't mention stitched AND fused canvas...
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post #14 of 284
12/13/07 at 3:06pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by josepidal View Post
Eh? They insisted they did not do that.

Their pants at $80 are incredible value as they fit excellently and you can ask for every detail you want. They have decent cloth on hand.

Just look for King Philip along Pasay Road, Makati City (the Manila financial district).
I wouldn't know if they really did it or not since I did not order anything. But he did insist that it can be had, as long as it is requested for up front, and the price is higher than the normal suits. This was King Philip in Glorietta that I went to.

Quote:
Originally Posted by josepidal View Post
...... lowest end of good fabric at King Philip is horribly marked up. At best, you might bring your own fabric.......
Actually, the reason I went in was because I was looking for some plain, unembroidered Pina fabric, which unfortunately they did not have. Most of the bolts of fabric were not much to speak of, but there were a few gems, like that heavy cotton cav. twill, a vintage piece, of course I had to buy a few metres!
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post #15 of 284
12/13/07 at 5:47pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks for all the info on tailoring options! I'm going to keep it simple and stick with shirts on this trip. Cornell's Custom Tailor sounds pretty good. What about this King Philip tailor -- do they do shirts? Are they any good?

I might also take the advice about buying my fabrics and buttons from a mall. Anyone familiar with Alabang Town Center? I think it will be the most convenient location for me. Do any of their shops have good fabrics? How much fabric do I need for a shirt anyway?

I've got some well-fitting H&M shirts a tailor can copy. It'd be great if I could keep that fit but have my pick of material.
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