Beijing Bespoke, Tips?

Hi,

I'm in Beijing for a year and was thinking of taking advantage of ever shortening exchange rate margin to pick up some bespoke stuff.

This will be my first time purchase of said goods so I'm looking for any tips, suggestions, and pointers.

Searching through the forums it seems a good tailor to visit in Beijing is Senli & Frye (http://stylites.blogsource.com/). Is this the case? I'm worried that members here are partial to this tailor only because its so friendly to expats (its co-owned by an American gentleman). I'm looking for quality and expertise, and since I am fairly fluent in mandarin, language barriers are a not a major concern.

Also, in terms of style, cut, and fabrics what would you recommend for a fairly young lad? I'm 6ft, 175. After China I'll be starting a job in consulting, and while mostly business casual, there will be the occasion where a suit is necessary. Personally I'm looking for something timeless and classic, but maybe cut slightly on the trendier/younger side.

I'm thinking a charcoal pinstripe. Yay or nay? Other choices include: Navy Blue, Charcoal Gray.

That area I'm most looking for guidance is on fabrics. I think I have a good handle on cut and accents, but the whole world of fabrics make my head dizzy. Any suggestions on this area would be greatly appreciated.

(btw all my knowledge of formal wear comes from casual browsing of SF and the book Dressing the Man).

Thanks much!

To all my Beijing SF members: man its cooooollllldddddd. Hope everyone is finding a way to stay warm!

No chance to make it down to Shanghai or HK? Alot more going on down south than in cold **.

It is indeed bloody cold.

Charcoal pinstripe is cool though some might argue, a little too severe. Navy blue and charcoal grey are the standards, I usually recommend people go with grey over blue but it's just a preference thing. They're both handy colours to match and can easily be worn separately.

Just make sure you're getting a half decent cloth, if you can afford it from a reputable English mill. I've noticed at least with shirting fabrics in China, you get what you pay for. I like things around 10 oz or less because I get really hot easily and if you're in Beijing in the summer, it is bloody hot. However, there's nothing quite as comforting as 15 oz flannel in 0 degree weather either.

I can do both (I'm traveling to both Shanghai and HK soon), but I'm on a limited budget and only have about 300-400 to spend. Scholarship for the time being the money comes next year.

Is Shanghai quality that much better?

Suggest you try WW Chan in Shanghai if budget above 5000RMB. Next door is Sam's, run by same people but much less handwork and much lower price. Try them if budget is a bit tight.

Nonetheless, do as around fellow Beijingers as they will now much more than I.

Hi wodelaotian/OMG,
Here is a link of Beijing bespoke. But it's in Chinese.
http://blog.sina.com.cn/s/blog_4991772101000cem.html
I think you can also find some cheap tailors in Xiu Shui Street. In general, bespoke in ** is way behind HK. Shanghai may be a little bit better.

Get serious. Order some 15oz worsteds and make your way to HK with them. Start with 3 suits with 2 trousers for each, 2-3 tweed coats, and some 20oz moleskins/cords.

Originally Posted by kolecho

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Get serious. Order some 15oz worsteds and make your way to HK with them. Start with 3 suits with 2 trousers for each, 2-3 tweed coats, and some 20oz moleskins/cords.

if i was in BeiJing i would get 18oz worsted it get bloody cold up there from end of september october thru till march i might even be tempted to get 21oz to protect against the sand storms!!

and the tweeds will need to to be mega thick those BaoAn type coats a great for that kind of weather!

Originally Posted by luk-cha

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if i was in BeiJing i would get 18oz worsted it get bloody cold up there from end of september october thru till march i might even be tempted to get 21oz to protect against the sand storms!!

and the tweeds will need to to be mega thick those BaoAn type coats a great for that kind of weather!

You wimp

I forgot to mention some overcoats to go with those suits and odd pieces.

Originally Posted by kolecho

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You wimp

I forgot to mention some overcoats to go with those suits and odd pieces.

white guys skin is thin!

36oz melton! just right for the OC

BTW have you even been to ** city in the winter? -10c sometime with the wind chill too

Originally Posted by luk-cha

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BTW have you even been to ** city in the winter? -10c sometime with the wind chill too


Oh yes..... not so different from Boston or Chicago.

Originally Posted by kolecho

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Oh yes..... not so different from Boston or Chicago.

what midday? with the samd storms too i think i will take Boston or Chicago!

Yes, North America is cleaner but just as cold.

Originally Posted by kolecho

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Yes, North America is cleaner but just as cold.