I'm looking to get a new suit for an SA stint, and I heard from someone that buying it and tailoring it overseas was much cheaper than here in the states. I will be going to Shanghai in the next week, so I'd like to know if this is actually true. Anyone have experience with this?
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yes it's true. you can get a very nicely tailored suit for ~1500-2000 RMB. If you're looking for really cheap, you can get one for 500RMB.
Try to get someone chinese to go with you... otherwise you will get the waiguo-markup. always BARGAIN. Rule of thumb is to aim for ~25-30% of the price they initially quote you. Sometimes much lower.
I was just in Beijing and got a suit tailored from scratch overnight and delivered to my hotel the next morning for 700RMB (they initially wanted 1500). This thing fits perfectly and the material is great as well. Now I was there with a small group so because we all got a suit (I think there were like seven of us) and it did literally take an hour and a half to get down to this price. But if you're persistent and you get more than one suit / go in a group, you can get a good price.
There are pretty much two options: $100 suits at the fabric markets (single fitting, questionable fabric selection) - honestly it probably would be a hit or miss but might be enough to get you through the summer or go somewhere reputable like WW Chan where you'd pay a good amount but would also get a good suit that will last you many years. I don't think that Shanghai really has the type of mid-range tailors that you would find in HK, BKK etc. Perhaps someone else can suggest a decent, reasonable-priced tailor but form personal experience if you want good quality at a competitive price you're better off getting it elsewhere in Asia.
^
The OP is going to shanghai, flying to Hong Kong/Beijing/Singapore etc. explicitly for a tailored suit is not cost-efficient.
i wouldn't do it. i bought shirts from a traveling tailor from kuala lumpur once who comes to amsterdam every now and then and apparently has a large number of business clients he serves. the fabrics looked good at first and he seemed to take a whole bunch of measurements so that the shirt would really be custom fit. when it arrived though, the shirt didn't fit nearly as good as an upscale shirt off the rack and after washing it twice, the color of the fabric was washed out. also a friend of mine ordered shirts in shanghai from a tailor. when they arrived, the button for the button down collar was placed so low, the collar could not reach it without ripping the shirt apart.
stick with a decent suit from italy/england and if you dont have the cash to get a bespoke one, just have it fitted at a tailor.
Suits Made in HK/China (Originally Posted: 04/30/2007)
I'll be in China and Hong Kong and am thinking of getting tailored shirts and suits. Is there anything I should know? How big is the diff. between Chinese tailors and HK tailors?
I'd go HK route, lots of people like to use WW Chan for suits or Jantzen for shirts. Youll need a couple of fittings.
I've been to Hong Kong about twenty times and I have lived/worked in Asia before. Hong Kong tailors MAY be a bit better at tailoring for (larger) western body shapes than Chinese tailors. You'll notice that many tailors are older men who have been in the business for a long time. In Hong Kong, these guys have been tailoring for westerners for decades. This is not the case in China.
Hong Kong tailoring is good. My (195lb, 5'10") college roommate had a suit tailored in China and it looked good (and cost next to nothing). I think you'll be fine either way.
The good suits won't "cost next to nothing" but you should expect to spend $500 minimum for a decent non-fused suit in a quality fabric. WW Chan will run $1000+. WW Chan has an office in Shanghai but I think the prices are the same. I would not go to any random tailor, especially not in the mainland.
maverick is right. by "next to nothing" I meant ~$350 from a random tailor. In my experience, you should only go to a "random" tailor if the place has been recommended by multiple friends.
I heard Sam's Tailors is good - anyone buy anything from them?
I'm heading to HK some time too; how's WWChan for women's clothes?
I have heard Sam's Tailors is good as well, but when I was there almost every local/concierge/etc. recommended Simpson Sin. Definitely do not go to any "random tailor" as you will likely be accosted by several of them in the street when near the garment district. I would strongly recommend Simpson Sin Tailors on the Kowloon side of HK. Beautiful product, great guys and relatively inexpensive. Suit and two shirts for $430. If anyone needs their contact info you can PM me. These guys also do multiple tours of the US in the fall and spring.
Hopeful, that sounds good. Do you know if they (or any others) come through London to take orders and measurements?
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