Good Tailors in BKK??
 

Off to BKK next Thursday and I cant waste time looking for a tailor. Bob has suggested one or two.
Anyone else got any suggestions?
I need a couple of suits and some dress shirts.
Also some businees clothes for the girlfriend

thanks,

Oisin

Where are you staying? It always makes sense to me to use a tailor near your hotel.If you are staying at the Oriental, Penn, Shangri-la or Royal Orchid I would suggest going to the Oriental Place mall (a very small one(. Cotton House is outstanding for women (they also do men I think but I have not used them for that). In the same mall is Tramps which supposedly is one of the best tailors in the city for men and has a huge selection of wools for suits.

If you are anywhere near the Siam MBK area, you might try Boss Tailors, located at the bottom of stairway #1 and the National Stadium skytrain station. Members of my family have used them and have advised friends to go there also.

At Bob's suggestion, we used Jack and couldn't have been happier. We first visited him in his shop so we could pick fabrics, but he came to us in the Peninsula for all of the other fittings. It was really exceptional service.

I haven't wanted to say anything negative about Bob's tailor, but I would not recommend him for women's clothing. We had quite a bit of work done through him a year or so ago, and I was quite unhappy with the cut and fit of the business suits he made for me. They had very masculine lines and were not very flattering. He did excellent work for my fiance, though, and the service was fantastic.

SJ---sorry to hear that...it is important that everyone make their experiences known here so that everyone can benefit from good and bad experiences...

i would just add that my wife has had good luck with him...don't know how many fittings you had but that is one key to a good fit...she has not had a suit made, but had a jacket made in june which is just like a suit jacket....he tweaked it several times until they both liked the way it fit...

lines now that is a completely different thing....choosing the style is a very personal thing...

Two I swear by in Bangkok...

For men: Rajawongse http://dress-for-success.com.
130 Sukhumvit Road, near Sukhumvit Soi 4 (next to the Landmark Hotel)

These guys are amazing!!

For women: Cotton House in Oriental Plaza near Oriental Hotel

Great article and advice on getting clothes in SE Asia
http://www.latimes.com/travel/la-tr-...avel-headlines

Kenstee-- I met the woman who wrote that article at Cotton House. We were having our fittings done at the same time. The suit they made for her was gorgeous!

I've been going to Cotton House for several years and have nothing but praise for their work. Reed and her staff are also truly lovely women. The whole experience is wonderful.

Thanks all for your reply's.
I'll be staying at the majestic grande in sukumvit. I think it's quite near the four seasons.
I plan to go first thing to the tailor when we arrive, to get the ball rolling.
So in relation to where we are staying what do you recommend?

thanks,
Oisin

I will be staying at the Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit and am interested in a womans tailor. Any additional suggestions?

its an easy ride from the majestic to the 4 seasons---maybe 5 minutes or 10 if traffic is bad....

from sheraton grande i would take the skytrain to the end of the line at taskim...from there either take the oriental boat to the hotel (it comes to the new smaller pier below taskim which is just for the hotel boats--arrives about every 30 minutes) OR take a taki from taskim to the oriental OR take a taxi from the sheraton grande to the oriental...from the oriental i would simply walk to OP place which is right in back of the hote--ask the doorman and you will find cotton house on the ground floor...great womens' tailor

lots of typing errors--sorry...taxi...hotel

Any further suggestions?
Thanks,
Oisin

I have heard very good things about Sortorial (spelling may be off).
Earlier threads had about a dozen positives.
Any first-hand feedback recently?
I want to bring a Canali suit and a pair of slacks and 140's superfine wool with me and get 2 suits and 6-7 slacks made. But all that takes up space in the luggage unless I ship it which is an option. We are going in 4 months.
I have read in this forum the fabrics in most shops, even the better ones, are o'k but not outstanding. The cost in NYC garmet district is very reasonable. A suit only requires about 3 yards and slacks 1 1/4 each.But the cost of workmanship in US and Italy is what brings the prices to astronomical levels.
So, I need help as well. Thanks.

Stan, the places I've checked in Bangkok do have excellent assortments of fabrics. Of course, the wools they carry tend toward the tropical weights, but I've never taken my own fabric with me. If you wanted a heavier weight wool, then by all means, take your own fabric.

I do know that someone else posted that they thought the wools weren't good, but at the places I've shopped they have excellent quality English and Italian wools.

Tramps in Oriental Place has gorgeous wools. Cotton House wools are fine for a woman's suit (i.e. light weight) but probably not for a man. However the quality shops that specialize in men's stuff has very good quality.

any other good tailors near Sukhmvit soi 2?

Thanks,
Oisin

i have used vashi, who is located in the rajah hotel plaza on soi 4, sukhumvit...walk down soi 4 from sukhumvit on the right side walk...first you come to the gas station, then the nana hotel (my jeweler is in there--thai stone jewelry--excellent--dumpy hotel however), past the internet cafe and then you come to a small plaza on your right...he is in there...he has been there for years...top quality...excellent english...

can someone give an idea of how much a nice jacket cost? We'll be in Bangkok for a week in September and I would like to get at least a nice jacket and maybe a suit if it is cheap.

you can get things very cheap...they have "deals"--not sure of the quality of the fabric, fit or durability...an example might be: one suit, one sports jacket, two slacks, two shirts and one tie for $169. and probably thats about what it is worth...

a jacket--sports jacket--- from a good tailor might be $80-150 in wool or silk...

a suit might be $100-200..

this would be good quality and well made...

Hi,

Can someone tell me approximately how much Cotton House @ OP charge for a light wool pant suit?

Any other recommendations for good, not-too-pricey tailors - deft with female suits - in Bangkok? I need to get some suits and blouses made for work.

i think slacks may be about 2000-2500 and blouses are 1800-2000....costs vary according to material used as well...can't help with prices you want but maybe gloria can???

I honestly can't tell you because it all depends on the fabric and how much of it you use. In other words a size five is a lot less than a size 14. All I know is that it is a LOT less than I would pay in the states for the same quality. I am sure there are cheaper tailors but as they say -- you get what you pay for.

For men's clothing, I highly recommend Jesse and Victor (Raja's) on Sukhumvit essentially at the foot of the Landmark hotel. Their work is impeccable and I have used them for years. When I worked at the Embassy, essentially everyone went there as did the top businessmen, visiting politicians, etc. I usually don't make recommendations for anything, but in this case it's well deserved and you won't be sorry.

Shade

Hi,

thanks for the replies. I'll be staying at the Arnoma Hotel next to Gaysorn Plaza. Any good ladies' tailors around the area?

- rhkkmk: you mentioned a Vashi tailor in Soi 4. Did you use them for mens or ladies tailoring? Is Vashi the name of the shop or the man? Thanks :)

Has any of you guys used the tailors along Khao San Road? They seem to have rather good packages but I am unsure about their quality.

off the subject but i heard from jack at monet today and he had a baby boy last week....

Hi Everyone,

I just came back from my trip to Bangkok and would like to thank you gals for recommending me Cotton House @ OP.

Although it was quite inconvenient for me to travel there so many times (I stayed in the Pratunam area and add in the traffic jam factor and u get it...), I never regretted enduring the 1 hour 15 mins stop-drive-stop journey.

They have excellent fabric and made 3 fabulous business suits for me. The fabric just flowed and fitted so well and it feels so comfortable. The workmanship was of course nothing short of excellent. Khun Reed and her ladies were most helpful and go all way out to make sure you will be more than satisfied with what you ordered.

My friend had a few blouses and cocktail dressed made and expectedly, they turned out to be superb. Khun Reed herself helped to designed this beautifully pleated Thai Silk cocktail dress that was really astoundingly beautiful and could easily rival anything you find in any designer label shop - no kidding - and for a fraction of the price. So it's really value-for-money.

I am writing this because I want to make sure that anyone who's looking for an excellent ladies tailor in Bangkok (like myself just days ago) would not miss the chance of visiting Cotton house. I've been doing tailored stuff in Bangkok since 1997 (I visit Bangkok at least once a year) and Cotton House certainly is the best after all. These gals are simply wonderful and I would like to see them receive their just deserts.

If anyone needs to know more details about the stuff we made, pls feel free to drop me an email at [email protected]

:)

Delighted that you liked Cotton House so much.I've learned so much from other people on this site -- I'm glad I was able to make a contribution by recommending them when I first joined. Last time I was there Reed was finishing up a commission she had for a Rodeo Dr. boutique -- they send the designs and she makes the dresses. So you can imagine what those dresses cost and you can imagine how much you are saving. I first met Reed the first week they opened in OP and she has worked very very hard and kept her staff. Glad she's getting the business and recognition she deserves.

We are going to Bangkok in Feb. and plan to have some clothing made. I am 4'9" and nothing ever fits. Will go to Cotton house, can you give me an idea what you paid to have your stuff made. Marg

I have a few more questions about tailors:
1) Quite a few people have recommended bringing a suit for a tailors to copy. IHowever, if I don't have a great suit (thus the need for a good tailored one), will a tailor be able to copy a style (eg. a Canali)? Should I bring pictures of a Canali suit, or will they know what it is supposed to look like?

2) Do they use the same contruction design (wool over canvas)?

3) From what I have read from different posts, it should run about $200 per suit. Will the Oriental Place mall be even more (or is it worth the trips back and forth to the Marriott for Jack)?

Thanks!

The tailoring in Oriental Place probably won't be more expensive -- and remember, time is money especially when you are on vacation. However, the major expense is in the fabric and that depends on the quality you get. Any tailor that tells you that a suit is $200 no matter what fabric or size is a tailor you don't want to use.

I would bring a photo

Roger-- where are you staying? I have a vague memory that Jack (Bob's tailor) will do fittings in your room so you might only have to go there for the initial fitting.

But with limited time I would try to use a tailor near my hotel. It just makes life a lot easier -- especially on a first trip where you are trying to squeeze in a lot of sightseeing.

Gloria,
We have our 1st 2 nights at the Old Bangkok Inn. We then fly to Phuket for 3 days, then back to BKK for one night at D'Ma Pavilion. We then fly to Angkor for 2 nights, and then back to BKK for a final 40 hours (see Let's Make a Deal thread). We currently hold reservations at the Shangri-La, but I think you convinced us! We are likely going to splurge for the Oriental.

i would not assume that any thai tailor knows the construction of a foreign designed suit....wool over canvas for instance....you would have to be very specific and check the progress at every step...you might not even find the canvas that is appropriate there...

as far as design is concerned they can copy...i.e. wide lapels with verticle slits or backless dress, etc...all of the tricks that make an "X" an "X" will probably not be accomplished by a bkk tailor unless you instruct them on every single little thing...

they generally make very nice conventional garmets, some with lots of unique features...you have to be very specific and then sometimes there is a language issue...

also if you want something very unusual you must allow several extra days for this....i personally would think this might be a set-up for a disaster...

prices: cotton house cotton/linen woman's blouse 1800 B....silk 2000 B

slacks 2000-4000 B depending on style, fabric...

as gloria has said prices vary especially with the fabric...a person's size can also make some small price adjustments...more cloth....

A full wool suit (jacket + pants) would cost you Baht 7000 and a pair of slacks around Bt 2,500. A cotton blouse costs Bt 1,500-2,000. Those were the prices I got at the Cotton House. Yes and although you can get a suit for much cheaper at the ubiquitious Indian tailors, the quality and workmanship is markedly different.

If you are visiting an Indian tailor, I do recommend bringing a favourite for "copying" and always beware - many Indian tailors will tell you that they are giving you Italian cashmere or English cashmere (which is not wrong) but they are produced in factories in Thailand and not imported. So do clarify that. And I do advise that you ask the tailor for a sample of the fabric to take along with you upon ordering so you can compare and know you are getting the stuff you ordered and not some cheaper substitutes when you are there for your fittings. Finally, never pay in full. Always pay a deposit first and settle the full sum when you collect your stuff.

I think if you go to a highly regarded tailor you will have a very positive experience. But as in every profession, all tailors are not equal and if it sounds too good to be true -- leave!

Jack and Cotton House have been used by many of us and I think everyone has been very positive about their experiences. But as Bob said we also give plenty of time for fittings etc.