Bespoke

[DapperDandy]

Ok so I live in Los Angeles and I've been hearing mixed reviews for Manu Melwani of Sam's tailors in Hong Kong. I've heard and read of dignitaries like Bill Clinton and Roger Moore shopping here. He has also told me that he uses premium fabrics from Zegna, Holland and Sherry etc. I'd like to settle this once and for all. Please rate Sam's quality of workmanship.

 

[zalb916]

Poor.

 

[Eustace Tilley]

Workmanship = Poor
Fit = Horrible

 

[AnGeLiCbOrIs]

A few of my friends use(d) Sam. The workmanship, fit, and quality were all very poor.

 

[ohm]

I made the mistake of using Sam's. The workmanship was poor but paled in comparison to the fit. When I tried the suit on I laughed and then contacted them to make sure I had not received someone else's order. I suspect Bill Clinton and Roger Moore receive a different level of service.

 

[adambparker]

Originally Posted by ohm

I suspect Bill Clinton and Roger Moore lie about shopping there.

FTFY.

 

[voxsartoria]

Originally Posted by zbromer

Poor.

Originally Posted by Eustace Tilley

Workmanship = Poor
Fit = Horrible

Originally Posted by AnGeLiCbOrIs

A few of my friends use(d) Sam. The workmanship, fit, and quality were all very poor.

Originally Posted by ohm

I made the mistake of using Sam's. The workmanship was poor but paled in comparison to the fit. When I tried the suit on I laughed and then contacted them to make sure I had not received someone else's order. I suspect Bill Clinton and Roger Moore receive a different level of service.

Sounds promising.

- B

 

[TheFoo]

Originally Posted by voxsartoria

Sounds promising.

Who wants to bet Avaricebespoke will give them a try?

 

[Eustace Tilley]

Originally Posted by voxsartoria

Sounds promising.

- B

More importantly, does he believe in drape or a clean chest?

 

[voxsartoria]

Originally Posted by mafoofan

Who wants to bet Avaricebespoke will give them a try?

Where did AB go? Did Tom Ford eat his liver with a nice Amarone?

Originally Posted by Eustace Tilley

More importantly, does he believe in drape or a clean chest?

From your descriptions, it sounds like Sam's would give you drape on one side, and clean on the other. Maybe backless in back, rendering the point moot.


- B

 

[Manton]

My mother is visiting and she saw me in a non-draped jacket and said it looked "feminine" and "Edwardian." It hurt.

 

[voxsartoria]

Originally Posted by Manton

My mother is visiting and she saw me in a non-draped jacket and said it looked "feminine" and "Edwardian." It hurt.

Were you wearing your corset again? You really need to get those two ribs removed to make that look sing, you know.


- B

 

[A Y]

Originally Posted by voxsartoria

Where did AB go? Did Tom Ford eat his liver with a nice Amarone?

Isn't AB in NYC? In LA, Enzo Caruso is looking very promising so far, but he is not cheap (nor the most expensive). He cuts a clean coat. I hope my Drapist membership will not be revoked.

--Andre

 

[JLibourel]

To the OP:

If you want good Hong Kong bespoke, W.W. Chan and Gordon Yao tour the USA. My experience with Chan has been extensive and extremely positive. Many have spoken well of Yao, who tours with Ascot Chang, as well.

Some forumites also report satisfactory results with Hemrajani Brothers (MyTailor.com), who maintain a permanent office in Costa Mesa, California.

If you actually plan on visiting Hong Kong, A Man Hing Cheong and H. Baroman are also worth checking out.

Chan's shop is just upstairs from Sam's Tailors, as a matter of interest. The previous posts merely confirm everything I've heard about Sam's.

 

[zalb916]

While Sam's is a tourist trap and makes poor quality clothes, it also shouldn't be compared to Chan, Yao, and others. You're paying for what you get. At Sam's, you are paying about 1/4 the price of somewhere like Chan. I'm not recommending Sam's at all, but Sam's and Chan serve two different clienteles with two different pricepoints.

If you actually want a quality garment, you're going to have to spend at least $1,200 at somewhere like Chan. If you just want a $300 "custom" suit because that's what you're supposed to do in HK, then there are plenty of places worse than Sam's. Just know that you're getting what you pay for, and that is not a Saville Row suit at 10% the cost, as GQ will lead you to believe.