Tailor-Made for You

Tailors usually charge a flat fee per type of garment and may require a deposit, with the balance paid upon satisfactory completion of the garment. If you can, bring in a picture of what you want made or an existing garment for them to copy. Usually, copying is the most successful. Try to allow enough time for an initial and follow-up fitting as tailors are accustomed to working with Chinese bodies and may need to adjust the garment a bit more to achieve a proper fit on Western frames.

Dave's Custom Tailoring. Now in its 40th year of operation, Dave's has an English-speaking staff and skilled tailoring, making it a favorite among expats and visiting businesspeople. The shop specializes in men's dress shirts and wool suits, which require around 10 days and two fittings to complete. No. 6, 288 Wuyuan Lu, Xuhui, 200031. 021/5404-0001. www.tailordave.com.

Hanyi. A well-respected qipao shop, Hanyi has a book of styles that its tailors can make in a week, at the fastest, or more complex, finely embroidered patterns that require a month for proper fitting. Prices start from Y1,000. 221 Changle Lu, Luwan, 200020. 021/5404-4727. www.shanghai1888.com.