QUOTE(kotmj @ Jul 16 2010, 02:15 PM)
Most of his suits are from WWChan in Hong Kong, but the specimen I posted is atypical of a Chan.
Thanks
Finish of suit from the picture appears fine with the following exceptions:-
1. Stripes do not seem to be aligned on lapel & arm
2. Pipping on pocket (jettings) do not seem to have aligned stripes
I have not tried WW Chan but have read & heard wonderful reviews about them.
The samples I have seen were reasonably impressive.
May try them if my HK trips stretch for a week instead of the current 1 / 2 day jaunts.
My HK tailor experience have not been pleasant:-
I have deliberately omitted the prices as it was sometime back (pre 1997 ) when I visited the establishments below:-
1. H Baroman
This was allegedly the best tailor ( & the most expensive ) in HK once upon a time. Frequented by Tai-Pans, it had a reputation that rivaled the Row.
I visited the shop ( the mall between Standard Chartered & HSBC Building ) & was attended to by some officious individual. When I requested to view samples of their work ( I do this with every tailor I visit irregardless of country), the officious individual gave me a look & quoted a price in a tone that implied that I couldn't afford their services. In almost the same breath , he told me that I should have a dark 2 piece suit-So much for bespoke services. Needless to say I did not make anything there. I am of the view that they are living on their past glory similar to some houses on the Row.
2. Sams tailor , Burlington House, TST
Sams allegedly makes cheap suits for the famous & uniforms for HM's Arm Forces You will see pictures of Prince Charles, George Bush (Sr) & Bill Clinton adorning his wall. The prices he quoted me was cheap even by HK standards . When asked when the next fitting will be, the Indian gentleman who attended to me said that there is no need for one as they are very experienced in assessing a customer's figuration!! ( I was a bespoke virgin then & didn't know better )The measurement process etc was very quick & the man nodded in agreement to all my requests ( higher arm holes , waisted jacket etc)
The suit arrived in the mail a week later . The only 2 things positive I can say was the suit was cheap ( & looked correspondingly with the price paid ) & the trousers was well tailored.
I will post pictures at a later date as evidence of my folly.
3. Ah Man Hin Cheong, Mandarin Oriental Mall.
I was recommended by a friend who swears by this establishment.
I took the opportunity to sample their services when I was in HK for 1 week.
The service was reasonably polite ( this is HK BTW) & they spent some time talking to me to assess my needs etc before reverting with their recommendations. The thing that struck me was the comment " I think we can do better " when the cutter who measured me looked at the suit I was wearing.
He recommended an English Fabric ( 130s wool ) which was reasonably crease resistant and a scarlet lining of Shantung Silk. He also made notes of the usual details & requirements ( single or double breasted, how many buttons on cuffs, pleated or flat front trousers etc.
He then proceeded to measure me & spoke in a dialect I did not comprehend ( I think it was Shanghainese ) to a younger individual who duly noted the details. This went on for quite a while & I reckon that at least 30 to 40 measurements were taken before he called it a day & informed me that I could have my first fitting in 2 days.
Time came for the fitting and I was reasonably pleased with the works in progress. The crunch came when I started asking some questions on whether the length of the jacket could be left as is. The sifu was not very pleased as he felt that the jacket was too long & should be shorten ( I like my Jacket slightly on the long side ) , higher & smaller arm holes , less padding on shoulder etc.
The exchange I had was similar to your initial encounter with Ah Loke. Si Fu shook his head retorting in English & Cantonese (not nice sir etc.. or words to that effect.
Nevertheless , he took down what I thought were my instructions & feedback.
Second fitting came 2 days later with the semi finished suit & I was surprised that my feedback was largely ignored in favor of the Si Fu's !!
I made my requests again and another polite exchange in Cantonese & English, along with the occasional Shanghainese phrases ensued.
" How you move your arms like that if I make jacket the way you want?" etc..
Nevertheless, he took down what I thought was my feedback & request & ask me to return 2 days later for the final fitting. I asked for the suit not to be finished to enable adjustments to be made, if necessary.
The final fitting was that- a finished suit with the exception of the cuff buttonholes . I was shocked to discover than none of my feedback was taken into account at which point I was so exasperated ( I was supposed to leave HK that day )
The prices , I remember were not cheap even for those days . The best way to describe the suit is it's made for a much older individual. Not one of my favorite suits which is a pity given the reasonably fine finish ( with the exception of the cuff button holes which could have been better )
Not a repeat customer here!!
Nevertheless I've had some good experiences as well with regards to bespoke shirts in HK.
1. David's shirts ( Mandarin Oriental Mall near Ah Man Hin Cheong )
I have some shirts from there which are 10 years old ( which I still wear occasionally ) The finish of the shirts are excellent ( matching panels & stripes etc ) but the fit could have been better.
2. Ascot Chang ( various locations -I go to the one at Princes Building )
Ascot Chang claims to be the best shirt maker in HK and ranks itself with the world's best with corresponding prices to match. The fit & finish of the final product is excellent as it the service. The only bugbear is the constant
push to have shirts made in the most expensive fabric with the highest thread count ( D & J Andersen etc ) . A sure way to see disdain on the face of the sales person is to request for "lesser" fabrics eg Acorn 100s 2 ply.
I might as well asked to have shirts made in polyester!!
Thanks for providing feedback & sharing your experiences with us. I am still new on the local scene & hope to benefit from your knowledge
Apr 21 2010, 07:38 PM, updated 16y ago
Quote
...didnt realize about the 2nd button
). It's been a really informative 2 days for me especially in regards to Ah Loke and Bespoke @ 1 utama, so thanks heaps everyone. 
and silencer's 3 piece as well... looking forward to the day I can have suits n blazers like these..... 
still refuse to tell me about your secret project...Sir Kotmj
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