Bangkok Tailors (Useful Tips)

Tailored to your needs

Reasonably priced, high quality and 'ready in 24 hours' sounds a bit unrealistic? Not when you're in Bangkok. Ranked high on most visitors' must-buy lists, tailor-made clothing is an excellent choice, especially when you can't seem to find a perfect fit in ready-to-wear shops. Famed for their swift sewing and competent craftsmanship, Bangkok tailors are trusted and chosen by many to have their clothes made the way they prefer. Although choosing a good tailor can be a daunting task in a city where tailor shops are ubiquitous, with a bit of careful planning and research it's not impossible.

Here are some tips...

• Don't fall for cheap packages or special deals advertised in glossy brochures advertising a suit, a pair of trousers and two shirts for, say, US$ 95. Chances are good you'll end up paying much more than what you wanted to and having to settle for inferior quality.

• If you don't know where to go, your hotel should be able to give you a few pointers. Many of the bigger hotels also have a reliable, good quality service on the premises for tailor-made clothing.

• To save time and energy, and if you have a specific design in mind, make sure you arrive at the tailor's equipped with something for them to copy.

• Ask to see some examples of their work. Inspect the stitching, lining, quality of fabric used and general workmanship.

• Unless you really don't have anything to wear or are pressed for time, the ready-in-24-hours option should be avoided. Bear in mind that proper tailoring does require time and patience to ensure desirable results.

• Expect at least two to three fittings (the first to take your measurements, and one or two fitting sessions) to get your suit looking just the way you want it.

The best and most easily accessible places to find tailors are around the major hotels and business areas like Silom, Surawong and Sukhumvit Road. If the tailor you've chosen doesn't have the fabric you want, take a trip to Pahurat Textile Market to select your own. While you're there, don't forget to look out for world-famous Thai silk, which is great for making shirts, blouses, gowns and cocktail or evening dresses.