Korean tailors are overpriced. I was stupid enough to buy countless suits from various tailors @ 3,000,000KRW with import fabric during my four year stay over here. I dont know why I did it. When I look back, it was the worst financial decision ever. Also, the "reputable" tailors in Seoul all go for the Southern Italian cut (I guess its the current fad with rich Chungdam kids), which is unacceptable at my work place. Personally, I think that few Koreans can pull off the short jacket and narrow trouser look without looking like a clown. Moreover, no matter how much you pay at a reputable tailor, the feeling of the canvas is just not right.
I now just skim ebay, time to time, to find discounted Brionis in my size, if I am lucky, and pay the $45 shipping. Ultimately, its actually much cheaper and you definately cant complain on quality and fit if you know which house fits you best. Again, the only place going for made to measure are the dress shirts at Steady-State if you willing to splurge 188.000KRW min for premium sewn shirts.
In Korea, when all else fails:
I WOULD attempt Mono Gallery, but if you can, dont go for the Chungdam store, and go to Jeongja one in Bundang by the Cafe street. I went there by chance about a month ago after drinking with friends, and from what I remember from a semi drunken stuper, they do hand stitch the lapels, and the woman who makes the suits in house graduated from Ewha Woman's University in Fabric and Textiles. She knows her stuff on suit canvases. I cant vouch for the fit and feel because I havent had a jacket made there....yet.
They also make the suits much cheaper in Jeongja compared to the Chungdam store, I think I was quoted at 800,000KRW for domestic fabric.They also sell Fox Umbrellas at surprisingly narrow margins.
SEGI is reasonably good, but I always end up looking like a KBS News Reporter wearing their suits. Its just something about how they construct their shoulders.
Mr. Min for Sartoria Min in Coex is a nice guy. He was educated in Germany and then in Milan. He is willing to listen to you, and has pride when it comes to making suits for his clients. The problem is, as with the majority of Korean tailors, the has that typical Korean ajussi fashion sense and mentality. Also, he ALWAYS lacks attention to certain details in quality. Bless his heart, he will work hard on the suit, ie. he will personally hand stitch the suit, and insist on 3 - 4 fittings; then when you get the suit, you find that he used clear plastic inner buttons to finish off the jacket. As for pants, when you ask for side tabs, he gets some really cheap piece of metal thats labelled, "ungaro". Thus, I suggest that you ask for button side tabs, it looks much higher quality. Speaking of pants, whats up with Korean tailors and fusing the damn waistbands?
Go the to Paju Sinsegae / Chelsea Outlet. There is a bus. They have Lansmere, Jil Sander, and Armani. Attolinis are sometimes on sale at Lansmere. It aint bespoke, but the feeling of any italian-made fully canvassed suit surpasses all korean craftmanship for a cheaper price.
