I just came back from Ah Loke Tailor.

I saw a display suit on a dummy there with hand-stitched buttonholes, pic stitch all around the perimeters of the collar, lapels, all the way down to the bottom hem. Really nice lining, none of the nasty Bespoked 1U stuff. There was a ticket pocket on the front. The jacket seemed really well-constructed, as all display suits are.

I talked to them about canvassing, and after much talking, I found out their house standard is the half-canvas (!). All their jackets are fused with a thin interlining (it doesn't feel nasty), and the chest piece is a three-layer affair with horsehair canvas. You can choose a stiffer horsehair, or a more pliant one for more drape.

So I asked, "If I want my suit made like that display suit there, but with me supplying the cloth and lining, how much?"

They said: "Oh that isn't a display suit (!). The customer will come tomorrow to pick it up." They said RM 600 (!!!!!!!!).

Here's a negative: Their lapels are not lined. I'll need to get them to line my lapels with horsehair canvas and do pad stitching during my fitting on Thursday. Yes, Thursday for fitting the basted (!) jacket (today's Saturday). I asked how many fittings are provided. They said as many as are needed to get it right (!).

Really looking forward to Thursday. They said that's when all the special request regarding fit will need to be made. Waist suppression, roominess, sleeveheads, button stance, etc.

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Added on September 12, 2009, 6:10 pmPhuck, just realised I am logged in with my brother's account. I'm kotmj.

This post has been edited by servo: Sep 12 2009, 06:10 PM

I just took delivery of my suit. In my brother's hyouse now. Exceeded all my expectations. Ah Lolke is a genius.

When I smiled, he smiled. He did some background research into me because I showed him my Scabal suit made by a relative in Kuala Terengganu. He found out everything about the KT tailor, including that he sold the business and is deceased. He now also knows that my extended family is prominent there.

We departed on very good terms.

First teaser pic

You can declimatize it buy relining it with ermazine in half-lining.

I was at Ah Loke today to have trousers made. He's more communicative this time. Told me all sorts of stuff. Also, he will make me a fully-canvassed suit for a price other "upmarket" tailors would charge for a fused suit (not even half canvassed).

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Added on January 30, 2010, 7:44 pmOh, I'm kotmj.

This post has been edited by servo: Jan 30 2010, 07:48 PM