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Latrell
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After spending some time reading this forum and making my own research about tailors and fabrics, I have decided to write a report about my experience in Bangkok looking for a good quality tailored suit end of June this year.
Here are the shops I visited:
-Narin Couture (Nana BTS station, 180 Sukhumvit road between Soi 8 and Soi 10)
Due to the recommendation from Griffin in this forum, I checked this tailor in the Sukhumvit area. This shop is clearly different from all the other rip-off places around Sukhumvit. The nice wooden interieur is a first indication. Narin studied 4 years in Paris and has only good to high quality materials. A suit with "Vitale Barberis Canonico" fabric costs 23k THB, with "Loro Piana" fabric costs 35 kTHB and with "Zegna" fabrics 49 kTHB. He is a certified Zegna tailor and showed me his official mark. This certification forces him to comply with quality procedures when making a Zegna suit, hence the high price and a 3-week delivery. I finally chose the Canonico suit for 23kTHB (5-day delivery) which I am very happy about. I may order a cashmere coat for 18k THB this winter.
-Milan suit (Asoke BTS Station, 326 Sukhumvit road near soi 14)
There was a recommendation in this Forum for this shop. The guy has not the high quality fabrics but he is honest and he even showed me the trick to distinguish fake "Super 100" wool fabrics from real ones: when burned with a lighter, the real wool has a typical odour of burned hair, whereas the fakes made of synthetic smell like nothing or plastic. He offered me a "La Renta" (?) Super 100 fabric suit for 6 kTHB. I thing this place could be good for the customers with a smaller budget but who would not like to be ripped off with fakes though. Do not confuse with the "Inter Milan" rip-off shop nearby.
- Ambassador / Smart Fashion (BTS Asoke, Sukhumvit soi 19)
This shop advertises in British airways magazines so I decided to check it out. The vendors there told me the worst bullsh_t I ever heard. They showed me the cheapest materials claiming that it was the "highest quality" with a bright shark-like smile. They even showed what I think was a fake Zegna fabric because it felt so rough. They had no Loro piana or like but kept showing me all the sh_t they had. I said, sorry but if you are a tailor you should know what "high quality" is and left. Stay away from this place!
-Perry's (Sala Daeng BTS station, 60/2 Silom Road)
There was a recommendation in this Forum for this shop. It is right below the Sala Daeng station. It is a small and simple boutique but they have the quality brands. He offered me a striped grey Loro Piana Fabric for a suit at 28 kTHB which seemed interesting but I decided to wait and finally chose Narin Couture the next day.
-Nai Chan (BTS Chid-Lom, http://www.naichan.com )
There is one branch directly within the Central Department Store (2nd floor) that sells fabrics by meter or you can order a suit as well, the tailoring being done by a partner shop.
I checked later their branch in the "World trade center" mall (on the 1st floor I think, BTS Chid-Lom as well) and the choice there is much better actually. The guy explained me the costs breakdown for a Zegna suit as follows: 3 meters of Zegna fabrics*7500 (Summer Sales) = 22500 + 7500 for tailor work = 30 kTHB! That would have been 19 kTHB cheaper than Narin for the same Zegna Fabric. He offered the same Barberis fabric as Narin for 3*2000 for fabrics + 7500 for tailor work = 13500 THB. The price was very interesting at 10k THB cheaper than Narin but I had already ordered that day! Moreover, I cannot comment on the quality of the workmanship. However, I will try this shop next time for a trouser a least to see.
-Marco Tailor (Siam BTS station, Siam area opposite to Siam center)
This one is recommended by Lonely Planet. They have some good quality materials but nothing exceptional. A Barberis Canonico suit would have costed 22.9 kTHB. I passed so I cannot comment on the overall quality.
I hope those notes will help those of you that have not a good understanding of tailoring and fabrics but do not want to get ripped-off in Bangkok.
Latrell
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Thai Girls : Meet Sexy Thai Girls
Posted on: 8:37 am on Aug. 1, 2004
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chickengeorge
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Good stuff. Thanks
I guess everyone reckons their tailor is the best.
I was recommended Raja (Raja's Fashions Soi4 Opp Nana Hotel), after initially baulking at the location, figuring that no decent tailors would be at the entrance of NEP, I was humbled and pleasantly surprised by the father and son duo (Raja and Bobby)...and the place was chock full of (mainly American) customers.
I found he has the fabrics to suit (oops) all tastes and budgets, a fine selection of English wool/Cashmere/Italian fabrics.
They know their stuff but as with all Tailors it helps if you know what you are looking for in terms of fabric and cut of suit.
My tips:
-Always ask for 2 sets of pants
-Always request functional cuffs
-Always ask to see the selection of linings, the default is usually the shoddiest.
-Always get them fittet as close as you can for the best look...dont be worried about 'leaving some room for prosperity'....you can always get it modified later and you dont want it looking like an off-the-rack suit anyhow...whats the point?-
-Never ever use one of these 'Suits Ready in 12 hours' places...a suit that is ready in that short space of time is not worth having. Buy a Tailored suit because it is exactly that...tailored to you...and that takes in my experience...5 fittings.
-If you buy tailored shirts...
Always get a split yoke (or shoulder), a single piece of fabric across the shoulders is the stuff of cheap outlets like Matalan...and some tailors will incredibly give you a single shoulder piece unless you ask.
Raja's will give you a price based on whether you have been recommended or not and by whom! He will deal in cash or UK bankers cheques as well as credit cards (for a nominal fee). I am not sure what other people pay but I would pay circa 10k for a well made suit using a quality fabric (with two pants). You can pay <100 US$ at some palces but...in my experience...you are taking a gamble.
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Bangkok Women : Meet Sensual Bangkok Women
Posted on: 9:32 am on Aug. 1, 2004
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BKK Banger
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Raja and Bobby are part of the same family as Jesse and Victor at Rajawongsee on Sukhumvit next to the Landmark. Their father used to tailor outside the Udon Thani American base in the 60s and 70s and the US military persuaded them to move to Bangkok to serve the Embassy personnel.
As a personal preference I always use Rajawongsee as their patter is so deft. A LOT of my friends also exclusively use them.
President Reagan, Bush Senior and Junior have all had suits from there so it is a safe bet for "slick politician' suits.
I popped in on Saturday to order a new wardrobe and had to fight through all the Embassy types having suits made.
I know the suits are made in the same sweatshop as others like Raja but I am looking for service, fit, finish, quality fabrics and free glasses. Yes, my Rajawongsee Dress for Success free glasses have lasted 7 years of washing by my maid. Longer than the free ties.
Prices are reasonable. They are presented in US$ (Jesse likes to go to las Vegas) but Baht is happily accepted. It depends on what you can negotiate to a small extent but they are not in the business of ripping people off, they want your recommendation.
I have wardrobes full of their products so I may get special rates. If I was to buy 4 suits etc. with a dozen shirts and some trousers etc. I would come away with change out of 55,000 Baht.
I am typing this wearing a 1998 vintage pair of trousers and 2000 vintage shirt all proudly wearing the name Rajawongsee. Hard wearing and well made I always look the part. I have never had any complaint over the materials, the construction, the cut or the performance. Basically, I would recommend them.
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Thai Girls : Meet Sexy Thai Girls
Posted on: 10:14 pm on Aug. 2, 2004
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jack attack
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Bkk Banger,
Agree with you on Jesse & Victor. Have many successful experiences and have taken many friends there too. They only deal in cash but will accept personal checks from your home bank.
Just wondering if Kerry wins the election if pictures of Clinton go up on the walls?
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Bangkok Girls : Meet Sexy Bangkok Girls
Posted on: 8:07 am on Aug. 3, 2004
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scobie
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As I sit here in my office in Sydney, I'm wearing a Raj Tailor (Soi 4) suit and shirt. I bought two suits and 10 shirts for 24k baht - fantastic cloth, individualised linings and special pocket features that I asked for. The shirts fit like a dream - double collar button etc.
The number of people who have commented on them since I've been back is amazing.
I told the son (who I dealt with) that I'll be using him regularly when I arrive there later this year. Once you've had tailor-made gear, why go back to off the rack?
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Thai Women : Meet Matured Thai Women
Posted on: 10:07 pm on Aug. 3, 2004
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BKK Banger
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Quote: from scobie on 10:07 am on Aug. 4, 2004
Once you've had tailor-made gear, why go back to off the rack?
Absolutely scobie, better fit and finish and cheaper than off the rack well known brands.
It makes you realise how much gross margin there must be in a high street suit.
"Dress for Success"
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Bangkok Women : Meet Beautiful Thai Girls
Posted on: 10:28 pm on Aug. 3, 2004
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Mr Alan
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My motto is that unless it is 100% cotton and will go into the washer and dryer, then I don't buy it. If my job requires a suit, then I quit and find a new job.
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Bangkok Girls : Meet Attractive Thai Girls
Posted on: 11:35 pm on Aug. 3, 2004
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BKK Banger
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Quote: from Mr Alan on 11:35 am on Aug. 4, 2004
My motto is that unless it is 100% cotton and will go into the washer and dryer, then I don't buy it. If my job requires a suit, then I quit and find a new job.
Most of my clothes from my tailor are workclothes and end up in the tub, are attacked with the brush and hung on the line. The shirts are Egyptian cotton but the trousers are not and they look smart every day.
No need to look like sh_t in Bangkok and maintain washability.
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Thai Girls : Meet Active Thai Girls
Posted on: 11:58 pm on Aug. 3, 2004
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jack attack
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Cotton is good but nothing looks or feels better than a fine Italian wool trouser even in Thai humidity.
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Thai Women : Meet Matured Thai Women
Posted on: 3:54 am on Aug. 4, 2004
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BKK Banger
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Agree with you Jack but washability remains an issue when your maid has a big brush and a determination to get out all stains and dirt, regardless.
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Bangkok Girls : Meet Attractive Thai Girls
Posted on: 4:38 am on Aug. 4, 2004
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