Where to tailor clothes =D

[Aleksandr]

u can feel the difference. What you can do is when you go to the tailor, you ask for the different materials and u feel them.

even if it's "egyptian cotton", there are differences in how it feels because of how it is weaved.

i felt the Monti fabric and it was like damn shiok... but starting at about S$300 a shirt (min of 2 shirts because the fabric is couriered over from Italy), i probably won't splash out for it yet.

where did you feel the monti fabric?

check out http://www.mytailor.com/shirtterminology.htm for all sorts of interesting information about shirt fabrics

 

[insomic]

Seriously, i think there isn't a need to find a tailor in Singapore as I think they dun really do most of their tailoring in-house. They just do measurements and outsource it outside which does not have much consistency. Which beats the entire purpose of tailoring or bespoke IMO. At time the tailor would rather listen to himself than what you want or he/she is just selling his words, mouth or salesmanship. I also notice they pay little attention to details of the shirt's workmanship. The only good thing about tailoring in Singapore is just customization but then again most tailor in Singapore has very limited selection for customization. Basically they are just a service provider, not tailors. Hell, a tailor in Shanghai can do a much better job and a much cheaper price.

If you want good fabric, you are better off buying from a branded shop during sale . You not only get a good fabric at the same price, it also comes with a brand name!

(Unless you really have a really unique body shape) I think it is better off to buy off the rack and go to any good workmanship alteration shop and get it altered to your "spec". However, this is provided you get the RIGHT neck (and shoulder) size, a alteration shop can only do this much, On top of that you must be sure of what you want and know your body well. Fool-proof case is get a sample and get them to alter accordingly. No need to go to all these so called tailor and pay so much for nothing much at all.....

What a real tailor is like Al Bazar in Milan. After making a shirt there you will understand what really is quality Bespoke and Tailoring about.

No offence meant and not being a snob, just a person who feels that you paying for something which you are not getting.

A good real tailor (plus a person who know what he wants) will get it right the first time.

 

[icyspawn]

Seriously, i think there isn't a need to find a tailor in Singapore as I think they dun really do most of their tailoring in-house. They just do measurements and outsource it outside which does not have much consistency. Which beats the entire purpose of tailoring or bespoke IMO. At time the tailor would rather listen to himself than what you want or he/she is just selling his words, mouth or salesmanship. I also notice they pay little attention to details of the shirt's workmanship. The only good thing about tailoring in Singapore is just customization but then again most tailor in Singapore has very limited selection for customization. Basically they are just a service provider, not tailors. Hell, a tailor in Shanghai can do a much better job and a much cheaper price.

I think it is better off to buy off the rack and go to any good workmanship alteration shop and get it altered to your "spec". However, this is provided you get the RIGHT neck (and shoulder) size, a alteration shop can only do this much, On top of that you must be sure of what you want and know your body well. Fool-proof case is get a sample and get them to alter accordingly. No need to go to all these so called tailor and pay so much for nothing much at all.....

What a real tailor is like Al Bazar in Milan. After making a shirt there you will understand what really is quality Bespoke and Tailor about.

No offence meant and not being a snob, just a person who feels that you paying for something which you are not getting.

A good real tailor (plus a person who know what he wants) will get it right the first time.

correct... our tailors are mostly service providers. in fact, i've asked Alfie many questions on this. most our tailors actually outsource the manufacturing of the clothes. perhaps only a very small handful are truly bespoke and really make the clothes themselves. (don't ask me, i don't know where... even places like oxford, joe's do this.
what they do is provide the measurements, fabrics, buttons, and whatever customisations(the piece of paper which u see them pasting the fabric and drawing the shirt and indicating what u want like french cuffs etc) u want to the outsourced tailors.
personally, i actually tailor make my shirts simply for the customisation and to fit my body well. i do sometimes buy OTR and bring to an alteration shop as well...
as for my suits, i made them in bangkok, pretty good worksmanship and fabrics at a fraction of the price.

 

[kazuki666]

For me off the rack is definitely not possible, coz i am consider quite pettite for a male.
Imagine height 1.65m and 52kg, waist 27...

But i also only tried tailoring recently after reading this thread.

I guess the main advantages of tailoring here in sg, is the ability to choose the ways u like to have your shirt.
Collars, cuffs, buttons etc.


I heard abt many great tales of those master tailors in Shanghai. They went thru all the super teachings from their masters. Some of which may have origin from the Palace too!

 

[insomic]

correct... our tailors are mostly service providers. in fact, i've asked Alfie many questions on this. most our tailors actually outsource the manufacturing of the clothes. perhaps only a very small handful are truly bespoke and really make the clothes themselves. (don't ask me, i don't know where... even places like oxford, joe's do this.
what they do is provide the measurements, fabrics, buttons, and whatever customisations(the piece of paper which u see them pasting the fabric and drawing the shirt and indicating what u want like french cuffs etc) u want to the outsourced tailors.
personally, i actually tailor make my shirts simply for the customization and to fit my body well. i do sometimes buy OTR and bring to an alteration shop as well...
as for my suits, i made them in bangkok, pretty good workmanship and fabrics at a fraction of the price.

Yup, think about it, you think a production operator making 300 shirts a day in a factory care about 2 cm difference in your chest size or 1 cm difference in your cuff diameter (that is why you have to go back more than once on most occasion and the reason they alter till u like is because he is doing minor alteration himself (which is technically no cost to him!))? Forget it! I am better off with the uncle at the neighborhood shop. At least I can trust that he cares about that 1~3cm difference by constantly reminding him and paying $5 extra when he does according to what I want exactly and being a regular customer.

This is precisely the reason why a true blue authentic tailor will always do all the tailoring himself. Because he/she knows that NO ONE else is better than himself in his customers needs/requirement and he can control (and takes pride in) workmanship, every single details and aspect of the process. This is Bespoke and Tailoring.

As for Singapore's tailor customization..... no offense but IMO what you can get from the Singapore Tailor is basically what you can get 95% OTR. Nothing of high quality or so unique that you can't get it OTR.

Just find a good alteration shop/tailor and shop more to know where to find the fabric/patterns/design of shirts which you like (e.g: like those trendy once which some of your talked about, I have seen better and wider selections ones from Kenneth Cole Reaction. Just buy from Kenneth Cole Reaction and get it altered at your trusted shop and you have something better than a so called tailor in Singapore). Tailor in Singapore is not much difference from OTR IMO.

 

[insomic]

For me off the rack is definitely not possible, coz i am consider quite pettite for a male.
Imagine height 1.65m and 52kg, waist 27...

But i also only tried tailoring recently after reading this thread.

I guess the main advantages of tailoring here in sg, is the ability to choose the ways u like to have your shirt.
Collars, cuffs, buttons etc.


I heard abt many great tales of those master tailors in Shanghai. They went thru all the super teachings from their masters. Some of which may have origin from the Palace too!

I guess you don't really have a choice but do shop more and try to find a OTR shop which has your size and alter it yourself. The fabric you get for the $90 shirt is the same as those you get from OTR shops which at times cost only ~$50 at times (even cheaper when in sale). Bring along your "tailored" shirt as sample.

Just remember the thumb of rule, always get your neck (and shoulders) size right, everything else is likely alterable. After that source for a alteration shop till you find one you like and save the money.

Shanghai tailors are well known because during the old times they tailor for a large number of westerners and also the culture of wearing suits (A respectable Shanghainese will always ensure his suit is well tailored) which set the standards till now. However, they are mostly only know traditional (British) cuts.......

 

[eplfanatic]

He is correct I do agree with him, traditional tailoring arrive from european tats where orgin Bespoke is. Same as how chinese or other races come from to sin back in those days.
However, tailoring started in spore long time ago when our parents which might be in their fifty now used to buy fabric off the texile shops and do sewing at home for their cny clothes. I remembered those days when most chinese family owns a sewing machine. But times have change, tailoring or say sweing is no longer in trend with heaps of mass ready make stuff from Kenneth Cole Reaction or prestige labels.
Not even one in sin can afford to go to Al Bazar in Milan to get a true stuff like what he did mention. On the other hand, not everyone can afford to buy a ticket to europe to get a true traditional european cookies.

Tailoring in singapore is outsorced to manufacturing places like what alfie told me. Same as in China, Malaysia ,Thailand and other countries.

Buying off the shelf do limit your choices, what u get is what they offer. After all, it is the fashion buyer that buys the fabric and get it done Make In China. Quality depends. Can everyone afford buying branded labels in Singapore? Paying 300 to 500 for just a shirt that doesn;t really fits u. I am 1.83m cannot fit at all. Is everyone a super model built, do u look like those gorgeous model in Kenneth Cole catalogue? Can you look like tat ?Can u carry off well? sashay along the streets in Orchard or MIlan.
Altering is worth if u want the brand and quality. But I prefer spending 500 on 5 quality tailored shirts than 500 on one branded shirt, I can wear to office differently as I am a fashion maddness having colour in my wardrobe *logical?*

A real good tailor know how to get it done right the first time. Yes, However how many years of experience does he needs to be in tat status, until he is old? So this traditional ways of doing is going to closed down another 10yrs.

After all a business need sales to survive. Same to Kenneth Cole, Joe tailoring or whatever. Its just the way business operate in this current environment. Just like pizza or macdonald.. wats a true orginal pizza or burger ?.. As a marketer myself, consumers look at more than jus a basic service

Services Industry (tuition, hospitality) is always a need same goes for tailoring business tat will survive forever, its just the way how it is going to carry on.

No offence my point of view.

 

[insomic]

Well to be frank you are not paying $500 for 5 quality-tailored shirt. You are paying $500 for a 5 normal quality altered shirts which is just done in a so called "tailored" way.

Don't get me wrong, I will be more than willing to pay $500 for 5 well-tailored with resonable fabric quality shirts but I have yet to come across one in Singapore yet. Have you? Most are the same as those Made In China but sold at a higher cost.

The traditional way of tailoring will never go down in another 10 years. It has lasted for centuries and why would it go down in another 10 years? Quality never goes out of style. To be a good tailor does not mean you have to be old and experienced although it does plays a part, but I think it a matter of how much pride and sincerity you take in your work (e.g: Taking the trouble to make sure every details is according to requirement. You do not need experience on this) . I have yet to come across it in Singapore tailors. For starters, CYC has been around for how many years?

What I am saying is you are paying for something which you are not getting which in simple terms you are being overcharged.

No offence meant and just my opinion too.

 

[Aleksandr]

Well to be frank you are not paying $500 for 5 quality-tailored shirt. You are paying $500 for a 5 normal quality altered shirts which is just done in a so called "tailored" way.

Don't get me wrong, I will be more than willing to pay $500 for 5 well-tailored with resonable fabric quality shirts but I have yet to come across one in Singapore yet. Have you? Most are the same as those Made In China but sold at a higher cost.

The traditional way of tailoring will never go down in another 10 years. It has lasted for centuries and why would it go down in another 10 years? Quality never goes out of style. To be a good tailor does not mean you have to be old and experienced although it does plays a part, but I think it a matter of how much pride and sincerity you take in your work (e.g: Taking the trouble to make sure every details is according to requirement. You do not need experience on this) . I have yet to come across it in Singapore tailors. For starters, CYC has been around for how many years?

What I am saying is you are paying for something which you are not getting which in simple terms you are being overcharged.

No offence meant and just my opinion too.

None taken, but you know, you come off as sounding extremely snobbish. I apologize on behalf of all the other forumers in this thread - we simply cannot afford the $1500 air ticket to milan to pay a tailor $500 to make us a shirt. We make do with what we have.

I guess you can call us a 'captive market' - we are limited to whatever tailors we can find in Singapore and this thread. If you realize, the title of this thread is 'where to tailor clothes'. Coming in and saying Milan, Italy is all nice and good, but for 99.9% of the people that's just not a viable option.

Personally, I'm quite happy with the quality of service and products provided by my tailor. They fit me well, and I like the fact that I can specify exactly what features I want on my shirt - french cuffs, no pocket, tall stiff collar. I've rarely come across any off-the-rack shirts that fit the criteria in terms of features, so I look to a tailor.

So what if the tailor doesn't do his own sewing? So what if it's about the same quality as a made in china product? Everything and anything is made in china nowadays, and just because an item says 'made in china' doesn't make it any less quality. I'm not so terribly vain that my shirt must fit my body just so. The shirt 'feels' nice, and I don't look like a fat slob or anything. That's pretty much all I'm asking for.

If you consider the law of diminishing returns, I get a much better return moving from OTR to a Singapore tailor than I can ever get from Singapore tailor to Milan tailor. But the cost differential is enough to kill...

Oh, and one last thing - you talk about a good 'alteration/tailor' shop yet you say there are no good tailors in Singapore. Make up your mind!

 

[eplfanatic]

What I am saying is you are paying for something which you are not getting which in simple terms you are being overcharged.
.

So is Branded label (NIKE PRADA KENNETH COLE) overcharging when they are made in china? when they spend heaps of $ in advertising and endorsing.. In the end mark up their price to gain yr attention like kenneth cole??

300 to 500 for jus a shirt I think is too highly overcharged *logical for an avg earner singaporean* , comparing to a quality tailored shirt (NOT ALTERED). I guess people who have done tailored shirts can see for themselves

I don't really buy branded stuff.. cos logically i think they overcharged alot but i do reakon their design is trendy, which some tailors like alfie is going towards tat trend

Lastly, if there is any tailor seeing what u wrote I think u annoyed them cos its not altered. Altered and tailored are of different meaning. Based on yr view so CYC should change their name from CYC THE CUSTOM SHOP to CYC THE ALTERED SHOP lol

DO YOU GUYS AGREE...

 

[insomic]

haha! no comments and enough said. I have made my points clear enough. If you are in a defensive mode i guess you will have problem understanding which you deserves to be overcharged for things which you can do in a much cheaper way. Well, as long as you are happy it's pretty much up to you. ^_^

 

[insomic]

None taken, but you know, you come off as sounding extremely snobbish. I apologize on behalf of all the other forumers in this thread - we simply cannot afford the $1500 air ticket to milan to pay a tailor $500 to make us a shirt. We make do with what we have.

I guess you can call us a 'captive market' - we are limited to whatever tailors we can find in Singapore and this thread. If you realize, the title of this thread is 'where to tailor clothes'. Coming in and saying Milan, Italy is all nice and good, but for 99.9% of the people that's just not a viable option.

Personally, I'm quite happy with the quality of service and products provided by my tailor. They fit me well, and I like the fact that I can specify exactly what features I want on my shirt - french cuffs, no pocket, tall stiff collar. I've rarely come across any off-the-rack shirts that fit the criteria in terms of features, so I look to a tailor.

So what if the tailor doesn't do his own sewing? So what if it's about the same quality as a made in china product? Everything and anything is made in china nowadays, and just because an item says 'made in china' doesn't make it any less quality. I'm not so terribly vain that my shirt must fit my body just so. The shirt 'feels' nice, and I don't look like a fat slob or anything. That's pretty much all I'm asking for.

If you consider the law of diminishing returns, I get a much better return moving from OTR to a Singapore tailor than I can ever get from Singapore tailor to Milan tailor. But the cost differential is enough to kill...

Oh, and one last thing - you talk about a good 'alteration/tailor' shop yet you say there are no good tailors in Singapore. Make up your mind!

Try reading again and perhaps you can tell the difference between altering. mass alteration and tailoring after that.

Tip: Try reading everything and neutrally for starters.

 

[kazuki666]

I guess you don't really have a choice but do shop more and try to find a OTR shop which has your size and alter it yourself. The fabric you get for the $90 shirt is the same as those you get from OTR shops which at times cost only ~$50 at times (even cheaper when in sale). Bring along your "tailored" shirt as sample.

Just remember the thumb of rule, always get your neck (and shoulders) size right, everything else is likely alterable. After that source for a alteration shop till you find one you like and save the money.

Shanghai tailors are well known because during the old times they tailor for a large number of westerners and also the culture of wearing suits (A respectable Shanghainese will always ensure his suit is well tailored) which set the standards till now. However, they are mostly only know traditional (British) cuts.......

So far only Topman xxs long sleeves shirts fit me the closest. Except that the chest can be quite tight for me.
But recent few mths the local Topman stores have stopped importing xxs. They claim Topman no longer produce that size. Thats total bull****ness coz size xxs is available in their official website.

I tried stores like G2000, Benhur, Manmaster, Domanchi. The more common labels. NONE of their smallest size shirts can fit me. Basically my arms are quite slim and short for my height. Then my waist is slim for my chest.
Irregular body shape lor, coz i diet too much back in poly days till i spoilt my bod liaoz...

 

[jarvis]

where did you feel the monti fabric?

check out http://www.mytailor.com/shirtterminology.htm for all sorts of interesting information about shirt fabrics

at Personality. They have a range of 120/2 to 170/2. apparently about 20-30 shops carry the brand in singapore.

The website for Monti is http://www.monti.it/eng/index.html

unless i feel like treating myself, otherwise for normal wear i will just stick to the mid-range huberrose collection.

 

[jarvis]

Well to be frank you are not paying $500 for 5 quality-tailored shirt. You are paying $500 for a 5 normal quality altered shirts which is just done in a so called "tailored" way.

Don't get me wrong, I will be more than willing to pay $500 for 5 well-tailored with resonable fabric quality shirts but I have yet to come across one in Singapore yet. Have you? Most are the same as those Made In China but sold at a higher cost.

The traditional way of tailoring will never go down in another 10 years. It has lasted for centuries and why would it go down in another 10 years? Quality never goes out of style. To be a good tailor does not mean you have to be old and experienced although it does plays a part, but I think it a matter of how much pride and sincerity you take in your work (e.g: Taking the trouble to make sure every details is according to requirement. You do not need experience on this) . I have yet to come across it in Singapore tailors. For starters, CYC has been around for how many years?

What I am saying is you are paying for something which you are not getting which in simple terms you are being overcharged.

No offence meant and just my opinion too.

Personally, I won't bother with the S$60-80 range for the generic tailored shirts. The reason it is cheap is because the fabric is of lower quality. You can probably get similar quality shirts from Robinson's sale at cheaper prices (but without sale, prices likely to be higher). But i won't consider those shirts "branded".

if you pay a bit more, about S$120, I think you can get the Fila or Huberrose entry level stuff. The fabric is decent - better than you would get for a two-ply shirt from like Raoul or Charles Tyrwhitt which will cost you more.

if you increase the budget to like S$150-200, you would be looking at the mid-range fabrics from Huberrose (120/2) or Thomas Mason. the similar comparison for brands would be like Paul Smith.

So my view is that if you buy branded stuff (the Robinson Sales brands don't count), you are being overcharged because a similar shirt at a tailor would cost you less.

As for consistency, I think it really depends on the individual tailor because the tailor must exercise QC. if they don't then word gets around in the market. But whether it matters also depends on the target audience. If they are going after the entry-level S$60-S$80 range where they survive on volume then it might be less of a concern (as compared to the middle range and above where customers may be less price sensitive and profit is less volumn based).

As for fit, one cannot expect something to fit ideally the very first time. Why? because different people prefer their clothes to fit differently - what is comfortable to one person might be tight/baggy to another. but the fit should be more or less there - then u work from it.

Anyways, as trivial, the word "tailor" comes from the middle english word "taillour" whose original meaning is "to cut" [the cloth]. the cloth being the most important thing.

anyways, a perk of tailoring is that you don't have to worry about showing up at work or in a meeting in the same OTR shirt as your colleague (whom you may or may not like).

 

[Didjerama]

Hi,
I have never tailored shirt before. Intend to do one soon for an important briefing i have to conduct. My requirements is that I dun wanthe plain design. Maybe some intricate designs on the cloth or a bit flowery (not too loud though). Something like ted baker cloth designs.

Any tailors to recommend? Whats the price range? tanks a million in advance.

Alternatively, it would be great if someone can recommend a shop with the widest range of cloth design.


I also interested in making a blazer. slim fit. tapered down at waist level.Any recommendations on a shop. im hoping to do one slim cut with vertical lines down

 

[kazuki666]

Alright. I managed to collect my shirts from Dreamland this evening
YES! Just in time for CNY.

Tried them on. Great fit!
Amy really took my words carefully. I said slim fit, sleeves mustnt be too loose nor wide. And she meets all my requirements.

Only complain (weirdly from my mum...) is that why my shirts are tapered at the back like ladies? whahaha
U know like those ladies' blouse where it is tapered at the back then can see 2 lines at the back. Ya, like that.

But I think its alright coz it adds to the slim fit I wanted.

No doubt, i will cfm go back to Dreamland for my next round.

I am thinking to make a piece of floral fabric, and a skinny berms(knee length)
But they quoted me quite a high price for the berms though, mainly coz of the fabric i chose, $70!
I told her these requirements
. old school pattern by the side with buttons and flaps.
. Slim fit
. slightly above knee level
. low waist

See if I can "facai" enough over the cny then next mth i go back make it with another new shirt.

 

[theRenaissance]

Alright. I managed to collect my shirts from Dreamland this evening
YES! Just in time for CNY.

Tried them on. Great fit!
Amy really took my words carefully. I said slim fit, sleeves mustnt be too loose nor wide. And she meets all my requirements.

Only complain (weirdly from my mum...) is that why my shirts are tapered at the back like ladies? whahaha
U know like those ladies' blouse where it is tapered at the back then can see 2 lines at the back. Ya, like that.

But I think its alright coz it adds to the slim fit I wanted.

No doubt, i will cfm go back to Dreamland for my next round.

I am thinking to make a piece of floral fabric, and a skinny berms(knee length)
But they quoted me quite a high price for the berms though, mainly coz of the fabric i chose, $70!
I told her these requirements
. old school pattern by the side with buttons and flaps.
. Slim fit
. slightly above knee level
. low waist

See if I can "facai" enough over the cny then next mth i go back make it with another new shirt.

NPNT ! :s12

 

[kazuki666]

NPNT ! :s12

i know i know.

I going to sleep liao lah.

tmr tmr. If not latest wed.

 

[FreshRock]

Alright. I managed to collect my shirts from Dreamland this evening
YES! Just in time for CNY.

Tried them on. Great fit!
Amy really took my words carefully. I said slim fit, sleeves mustnt be too loose nor wide. And she meets all my requirements.

Only complain (weirdly from my mum...) is that why my shirts are tapered at the back like ladies? whahaha
U know like those ladies' blouse where it is tapered at the back then can see 2 lines at the back. Ya, like that.

But I think its alright coz it adds to the slim fit I wanted.

No doubt, i will cfm go back to Dreamland for my next round.

I am thinking to make a piece of floral fabric, and a skinny berms(knee length)
But they quoted me quite a high price for the berms though, mainly coz of the fabric i chose, $70!
I told her these requirements
. old school pattern by the side with buttons and flaps.
. Slim fit
. slightly above knee level
. low waist

See if I can "facai" enough over the cny then next mth i go back make it with another new shirt.

$70 for a pair of good berms is a fine price. My pants already cost me $135.