HKG Tailor

[11sjw]

Hi,

Can anyone recommend a good tailor in Kowloon?

Probably chasing a suit, a few shirts and a couple of jackets.

Thanks.

 

[ejb]

Sams!

I don't have first hand knowledge but Michael Palin swears by him in Around the World in 80 days.

ejb

 

[nlagalle]

I know a great one in Beijing!

I was in HK last year and wandered around and there was no shortage of them. I got a card for one i was going to go back to. I'll take a look for it.

 

[Maca44]

Taylor made shirts in HKG are a good buy and last a long time 'if' you buy quality cloth, but when you check out the deals some of the shops offer in Australia I don't know if suits or jackets are such a good deal. I have a number of expat friends who live in HKG, and they wait until they are in Australia to buy suites.

 

[StuntmanRon]

I am in HKG this Friday and will hopefully be trying a few out as the supplier I am working with is giving me a few names today. Will let you know if I have any luck.
If you want to know just about everything there is about Hong Kong tailors, pop over to the Styleform website and do a search on Hong Kong tailors. There are pages and pages on which is the best/cheapest/etc tailor in HKG.

 

[JetLagged]

Hi,

Can anyone recommend a good tailor in Kowloon?

Probably chasing a suit, a few shirts and a couple of jackets.

Thanks.

I can personally recommend Lee Baron Fashions - Peter Lee has been operating there for some 30 years. I have been buying from Peter since 2006 and make it a habit of going there at least twice a year. He is in Far East Mansion Building 5-6 Middle Road, Tsimm Sha Tsui, shop 33.

Peter's tailored shirts work out at about $40AU - full cotton - and I am still wearing some of the shirts that I bought back in 2006. I have also had suits, linen jackets, and pants made by him. I have recommended Peter to anyone who asked.

About the only problem with getting to Peter (depending on where you stay) is getting past those pesky copy watchers in Nathan Road - thanks heavens I know my way around Kowloon well enough to avoid them!

As an aside - if you are interested in hand-made shoes for the same price as off-the-rack shoes here - Mr Zui (in the same building) is great - just ask Peter to walk you around to him.

Happy shopping!:!:

leebaron.ca - Lee Baron Fashion Ltd.

 

[11sjw]

Thanks for the responses.

 

[notzac]

I can personally recommend Lee Baron Fashions - Peter Lee has been operating there for some 30 years. I have been buying from Peter since 2006 and make it a habit of going there at least twice a year. He is in Far East Mansion Building 5-6 Middle Road, Tsimm Sha Tsui, shop 33.

Thanks for posting this!! I was hoping to get a suit made whilst over there in May; could you perhaps post how much you have paid for various items (or ballpark figures)?

 

[moa999]

I would also add at the moment that with the current AUD/GBP exchange rate, shirts from your lower-end Jermyn St tailors are ridiculously cheap (under A$50 a shirt delivered)

TM Lewin
Hawes and Curtis

are my usual go to guys.
Both have very good websites and typically do three sleeve lengths for each half inch neck size.

 

[JetLagged]

I would also add at the moment that with the current AUD/GBP exchange rate, shirts from your lower-end Jermyn St tailors are ridiculously cheap (under A$50 a shirt delivered)

TM Lewin
Hawes and Curtis

are my usual go to guys.
Both have very good websites and typically do three sleeve lengths for each half inch neck size.

Yes, I am sure that the off-the-rack shirts can be bought quite reasonably - but frankly, as long as the material is top rate as well, and the workmanship is also first-rate - can any off-the-rack shirt come up to a fully made-to-measure?

Peter Lee uses quality French and Italian materials - and his workmanship is top rate: I have often been asked if the clothes I have are Saville Row or Jermyn Street - I say no, just a nice little bespoke number from Middle Street - leaves them scratching their heads but still admiring the quality and cut!

 

[11sjw]

Thanks again. Some worthwhile (and v close to my hotel) suggestions here.

 

[StuntmanRon]

11sjw,
Never made to any tailors in HKG on Friday due to extended meetings
But Lee Baron is recommended as per previous posts. Back twice in March, so hope to make an appointment and see what what is like then. Hope I have good news to report!

 

[Zippy7]

I can nominate one to avoid, but they haven't been listed so far, so I don't need to say anything.
I bought a few shirts and they messed up the measurements. Can't do much about it when you leave the next day and don't open it until you get home.

 

[JetLagged]

11sjw,
But Lee Baron is recommended as per previous posts. Back twice in March, so hope to make an appointment and see what what is like then. Hope I have good news to report!

Peter's shop is so small and out-of the-way in terms of street front that most people would ignore it - but someone who has been in business for over 30 years has to be doing something right, eh!

Peter can run up shirts etc in a day, prefer to allow a bit more for a fitting, etc. He will also deliver items back to your hotel if that is more convenient. He's usually in the shop from about 10am onwards - and like most of HK closes late.

 

[HardieBoys]

Hi,

It's not on Kowloon, but rather, on the Island. Taipan Row (www.taipanrow.com) make pretty good shirts, with a wide range of materials. I've had about a dozen shirts made over the years, and they've worn well, seams are good, and collars have lasted.

It's worth the trip under the Harbour to see them.

 

[notzac]

Thanks for posting this!! I was hoping to get a suit made whilst over there in May; could you perhaps post how much you have paid for various items (or ballpark figures)?

My trip has been and gone -- I would like to second (and third, and fourth) JetLagged's recommendation to get suits made at Lee Baron. I got a suit jacket, pants and three shirts measured and made for a touch over AUD700; am v happy with the material and cut of the clothes.

A few friends and family that came over to HKG with me also had items made; they've all been impressed as well. I've even had several comments today from people about how nice the suit looks!

 

[Sprucegoose]

Dont look on the main drag (rents way too high), dont look for anyone else but Shanghaiese, look for bottom floor shopping malls, owner operators, the good ones will and can demonstrate a long history of overseas trading as well.

Know and pick the quality of your cloth, good stuff will not be a 'bargain' - and of course know your price range.

Above all do not deal with any place that employs touts!!!

two fittings is normal with a good craftsman.

happy shopping

SPRUCE

 

[ApplesHK]

I live in HK and would agree Lee Baron is very well regarded. I wouldn't give Sam's the time of day and Michael Palin is hardly the recommendation I'd be looking for. Taipan Row is over priced for what you get and although Ascot Chang is regarded as the best shirt maker in HK, I think Lee Baron's price/value/quality is on the money.

 

[GCC]

I have been thinking of trying out this "Hong Kong tailor" in Sydney. Seems to have progressed from adverts for fittings in the Sunday papers to an actual business with its own website. I'm guessing they measure you here and send to HK to be be made.
BESPOKE

Has anyone tried out the mysterious Chang and his lovely assistant Belinda?

 

[Timtammi]

Thanks to recommendations here and on some other forums Mr Timtammi is the recipient of a very nice suit, half a dozen shirts and 2 pairs of VERY smart custom shoes from the guy around the corner from Lee Baron.

We are frequent travellers to HKG and were going to someone else for shirts/suits but had decided they really weren't good enough for the price we were paying. The Lee Baron stuff is much better made, better fit and they had a much better selection of fabrics to choose from. As Mr Timtammi is somewhat clueless when it comes to colours and fabric selections I had a lovely time choosing suit material, suit liner color, making decisions about cut and fit and then choosing the fabric, cuffs and collars for the shirts . The shoes are gorgeous and look like they cost 5 times as much as he paid. In fact he originally ordered one pair (the same as a sample they had) and before we went back for the fitting we saw another pair in a very upmarket shop with a $1000 price tag, took a quick pic with the phone and hey presto they produced a copy at 1/5th the price!

Cheers

Timmi