The Hong Kong Tailors Thread

[addedfuel]

I ordered 2 suits and 3 suits from Lee Baron in 2012 and can't say I would try them again. No bargain and fair service.

 

[Wongtouski]



What then, pray, would not be too expensive? I mean, let's be honest, these are fully-canvassed prices. Let's say half of the price goes to overhead, margin, and things like the necessary haberdashery, and that it takes 10 hours to make a suit (and I think for a three-piece, it's more), that means you're paying 300 HKD per working hour. I'd be happy if I could get away paying my plumber that much.

I fully understand that prices are subjective to everyone, but by your calculations these workers make more than me.

 

[RogerC]

In one of the world's most expensive cities to live, yes. Also, being very optimistic in terms of the time that goes into a fully canvassed suit.

But I guess the more important point is this (starting rant): what the bloody hell is it that people expect from Hong Kong tailors? A bespoke suit made to Savile Row standards with Zegna Super 200 cloth, ready in two days,with their idealized fit and silhouette, for 300 bucks? Why should anyone expect a discount for quantity ordering? As far as I know, you don't get one at Huntsman or A&S, neither do you get one at Sam Hober. A Brooks Brothers suit will cost you as much as a Lee Baron one, and given the low costs that Brooks must be able to negotiate on fabric and the fact that they produce assembly-line style in low-income countries, I'm not sure that Lee Baron isn't a fair deal. Will there be tailors in Hong Kong able to offer a lower price for a similar product? Probably, but I haven't found them, and although I do speak Chinese, I simply don't have the time to go and look around. I appreciate any tips, but Do tailors have a moral obligation to advertise their services on SF? I shouldn't think so. There seems to be a compunction about scoring a deal on this forum, rather than building a relationship with someone. It just doesn't work like that.

 

[add911_11]

Form my experience. The really good one in Hong Kong only likes to do local orders. I am not aware the one me and my father uses even has business outside the legal circle.

He even does legal uniforms better than what my dad got in E&R bespoke.

 

[Wongtouski]



In one of the world's most expensive cities to live, yes. Also, being very optimistic in terms of the time that goes into a fully canvassed suit.

But I guess the more important point is this (starting rant): what the bloody hell is it that people expect from Hong Kong tailors? A bespoke suit made to Savile Row standards with Zegna Super 200 cloth, ready in two days,with their idealized fit and silhouette, for 300 bucks? Why should anyone expect a discount for quantity ordering? As far as I know, you don't get one at Huntsman or A&S, neither do you get one at Sam Hober. A Brooks Brothers suit will cost you as much as a Lee Baron one, and given the low costs that Brooks must be able to negotiate on fabric and the fact that they produce assembly-line style in low-income countries, I'm not sure that Lee Baron isn't a fair deal. Will there be tailors in Hong Kong able to offer a lower price for a similar product? Probably, but I haven't found them, and although I do speak Chinese, I simply don't have the time to go and look around. I appreciate any tips, but Do tailors have a moral obligation to advertise their services on SF? I shouldn't think so. There seems to be a compunction about scoring a deal on this forum, rather than building a relationship with someone. It just doesn't work like that.

I'm not looking fro a deal, like I say prices are subjective. Why are you getting your panties up in a bunch? I find 6 grand to be expensive because:

1) (this is our own fault really) the contsant endorsements from here.
2) The fact that where they are isn't a lot of rent given the building is gonna be torn down soon and its such a small space. I hated Jantzen but I must admit they have a better location.

I am on here to just share my thoughts, not to argue. My objective is to have an open discussion and get SFer's ideas, and if I find a deal? Fine. But if I REALLY wanted a deal, I would've went to Hollywood building in Mongkok a long time ago and made myself one of thsoe $1299 suits.

 

[addedfuel]

In one of the world's most expensive cities to live, yes. Also, being very optimistic in terms of the time that goes into a fully canvassed suit.

But I guess the more important point is this (starting rant): what the bloody hell is it that people expect from Hong Kong tailors? A bespoke suit made to Savile Row standards with Zegna Super 200 cloth, ready in two days,with their idealized fit and silhouette, for 300 bucks? Why should anyone expect a discount for quantity ordering? As far as I know, you don't get one at Huntsman or A&S, neither do you get one at Sam Hober. A Brooks Brothers suit will cost you as much as a Lee Baron one, and given the low costs that Brooks must be able to negotiate on fabric and the fact that they produce assembly-line style in low-income countries, I'm not sure that Lee Baron isn't a fair deal. Will there be tailors in Hong Kong able to offer a lower price for a similar product? Probably, but I haven't found them, and although I do speak Chinese, I simply don't have the time to go and look around. I appreciate any tips, but Do tailors have a moral obligation to advertise their services on SF? I shouldn't think so. There seems to be a compunction about scoring a deal on this forum, rather than building a relationship with someone. It just doesn't work like that.

I understand there are costs to business and the going rate for a MTM suit is 4500$HK up for 2 piece - fabric, labour and rent making up the biggest costs plus a profit. I think we are all realistic that we get what we pay for and there's no such thing as a deal but it's just looking where to spend my dough wisely.

I am not expecting to pay any less than 5000hk$ for a suit these days but other variables such as fabric, service, quality, style of cut are factors in choosing a tailor for me.

 

[addedfuel]

I'm not looking fro a deal, like I say prices are subjective. Why are you getting your panties up in a bunch? I find 6 grand to be expensive because:

1) (this is our own fault really) the contsant endorsements from here.
2) The fact that where they are isn't a lot of rent given the building is gonna be torn down soon and its such a small space. I hated Jantzen but I must admit they have a better location.

I am on here to just share my thoughts, not to argue. My objective is to have an open discussion and get SFer's ideas, and if I find a deal? Fine. But if I REALLY wanted a deal, I would've went to Hollywood building in Mongkok a long time ago and made myself one of thsoe $1299 suits.

" thsoe $1299 suits" are most likely made of shiny polyester mix and it gives me the goose bumps when I see people wearing them. DON'T!!!!

 

[dragon8]



Form my experience. The really good one in Hong Kong only likes to do local orders. I am not aware the one me and my father uses even has business outside the legal circle.

He even does legal uniforms better than what my dad got in E&R bespoke.

Who's your tailor?

 

[Wongtouski]



" thsoe $1299 suits" are most likely made of shiny polyester mix and it gives me the goose bumps when I see people wearing them. DON'T!!!!

Haha I was only being sarcastic. I would buy 10 Zara suits before I buy one of those. Speaking of "affordable" suits, Boggi is an option, I still find it expensive though compared to online prices, no wonder the store is empty.

 

[dragon8]

How much longer can the trade continue in HK? The video claims that not a lot of people are going in and the old timers are close to retiring. I wonder how long places like WW Chan and Yao can continue to churn out great products with an aging tailor population.

 

[daytona]

Not sure whether you guys can read Chinese. If you do, you can take a look at this forum. It talks about tailoring, shirt, suiting, tie, pocket square. Similar as this forum but in Chinese.

http://www.discuss.com.hk/viewthread.php?tid=21187644&extra=page=1

 

[daytona]



Dear 911

Unless it is a secret, I would be interested to learn which HK tailors are far better than Lee Baron but charge the same for a fully canvassed suit.

Regards
Stiva

I would agree with add911. "there are plenty of local tailors that is far better than Lee Baron, and charge the same."

Some local tailors can make full canvassed suit at reasonable price. You just have to find it out.

 

[Fishball]



Form my experience. The really good one in Hong Kong only likes to do local orders. I am not aware the one me and my father uses even has business outside the legal circle.

He even does legal uniforms better than what my dad got in E&R bespoke.

I know Ah Yau make barristers and QC/SC gown, but I think his business is more on academia, so I think you are talking about someone else.

 

[add911_11]



Not sure whether you guys can read Chinese. If you do, you can take a look at this forum. It talks about tailoring, shirt, suiting, tie, pocket square. Similar as this forum but in Chinese.

http://www.discuss.com.hk/viewthread.php?tid=21187644&extra=page=1

Sorry, I correct.
The website has some in-depth info, but I fear non-local will not benefit from it.

 

[add911_11]



I know Ah Yau make barristers and QC/SC gown, but I think his business is more on academia, so I think you are talking about someone else.

Sadly, my dad only introduce him to me as SiFu Lau. I believe he does not have a retail shop, and he collects orders from the chambers across Central.

I don't think his suits are top notch, but his legal uniforms looks really good. A proper pre-drape cut.