| I attended a travel trade show in Bangkok last | | | | decide on how many suits, shirts, ties, etc. He will |
| summer and had just enough free time, 2 days, | | | | finally put together a package price for you. This |
| to visit a tailor to have a custom suit made. | | | | is finally when the negotiation begins. Bargain hard |
| Bangkok and many other Asian cities are great | | | | and be firm and be willing to walk away., he may |
| places to visit a tailor for custom made suits, | | | | throw in extra shirts or ties to finally seal the deal. |
| shirts, sports coats, and other clothing at a great | | | | Measurements and First Fitting |
| value. But it's best to be prepared and understand | | | | Once you agree to a price, the tailor will take |
| the process before jumping in and taking | | | | your measurements. You need a minimum of 2 |
| advantage of that $99 offer. Here's a quick guide | | | | days for the process, but 3 is better. Within the |
| on what to expect. | | | | first day, you will have your first fitting. You will |
| In almost any big Asian city, shop after shop of | | | | return to the shop to meet the real tailor who will |
| souvenir sellers, t-shirt vendors, jewelers, and | | | | have a rough cut of the major pieces. They will |
| tailors beckon you to come in and "just look." But | | | | check to ensure that the breadth and length are |
| beware, don't go in unless you really want a suit | | | | working properly and chalk and pin the exact |
| and are willing to spend $300 and up for a two | | | | spots for the final assembly. You'll come back to |
| piece suit with a decent quality fabric. Anything | | | | the shop the next day for another fitting. |
| less than that and you may as well get one off | | | | The Second Fitting |
| the rack at K-Mart. | | | | At the second fitting the suite is complete and |
| Most shops are small, but some may be part of a | | | | the tailor or shop owner will do their best to |
| larger chain. It doesn't really matter for your | | | | convince you that it fits correctly when you try it |
| purposes. All are just sales outlets with bolts of | | | | on. But, here's where it's a good idea to have |
| fabric that can take your measurements and | | | | someone with you to validate your concerns with |
| send them to a factory for the actual cutting and | | | | too tight shoulders, too long sleeves, or whatever |
| sewing. Some may even be quite high-tech now. | | | | the problem might be. Be firm and tell them what |
| They will store your measurements in a database, | | | | you want done and they will acquiesce. However, |
| and you will be able to order new suits or shirts | | | | if the suit really does fit at this point then you're |
| or pants by email and credit card. | | | | done! |
| The Negotiation | | | | The Final Fitting |
| The manager or owner (whoever has the | | | | After the final alterations are made, the tailor will |
| authority to negotiate) will ask you what you are | | | | likely want to deliver it to your hotel. This helps |
| looking for. You tell him a suit or a sports jacket | | | | reduce the possibility that you might reject it. He |
| but that you're just looking for now. He'll engage | | | | may even send someone who doesn't speak |
| you and be quite friendly and offer you a cold | | | | very good English, so if something is wrong you |
| beer. He'll ask you to sit down and show you a | | | | will have a hard time articulating it. However, if it |
| photo book of models wearing different styles of | | | | still doesn't fit right be firm and request more |
| suits to find out which ones you are interested in. | | | | alterations. It may require a visit to the shop one |
| If you engage, you're hooked and well on your | | | | more time. |
| way to a new suit. | | | | Lessons Learned |
| Once you select a style (1, 2, or 3 buttons, double | | | | - While they can produce a custom suit in less |
| or single-breasted, collar type, back-center or side | | | | than a day, it's best to have at least 3 days |
| splits, etc.), he'll talk to you about the fabrics. He'll | | | | available to ensure you get the best fit. |
| show you the difference between real cashmere | | | | - Have all of your meetings in the shop because |
| wool and fake cashmere wool fabrics (also known | | | | they will be more likely to try to please you there. |
| as polyester) by burning a small sample with a | | | | - Get the best fabric you can afford. |
| lighter and then proceeding to assure you that he | | | | - Use a tailor that will save your measurements |
| only wants the best fabric for you and that the | | | | and you can order new clothes online at anytime |
| $99 price is based on the polyester fabric. You'll | | | | after that. |
| succumb and agree that you really want the real | | | | - For womens' clothing, allow more time for |
| wool fabric. | | | | additional fittings. The consensus is that you'll need |
| Note that these guys are not paragons of style | | | | 4 to 7 days. |
| and don't necessarily do a good job advising you | | | | My Tailor - Max's Fashions |
| of the right style of suit or jacket for your | | | | This article is based on my experience at Max's |
| purposes. But they are good at leading you to | | | | Fashions in Bangkok. Located at No. 1/3 Soi 3 |
| make some decisions. | | | | Sukhumvit Rd. Max can be contacted by email at |
| During this preliminary process of discovery, the | | | | or by mobile phone at +66 (089)-4020775. |
| tailor will avoid giving you a price, but once you | | | | |