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.