The London Lounge

Does anyone have advice regarding specific tailors in Hong Kong?

The three most reputable HK tailors are WW Chan, H Baroman, and A-Man Hing Cheong. I, and most on these internet fora, owing partly to their order tours through America, only have real experience with Chan.

Patrick Chu, the cutter, has a good sense of style, somewhat conservative English, but with light prodding he will give it more shape and height. The firm is very obliging and will do anything you ask. I've seen a Chan ad that claims they can do American, English, and Italian silhouettes. As long as you, the customer, know what you are looking for, I have no doubt they can approximate them, although you will never get a Neapolitan shoulder from them. For HK tailors, any and all, knowing and being vocal about what you want is most important, as I find the "house cuts" less stylised and more amorphous than those you would find in the West. There is little ego involved on their part, and they take direction well.

Their (Chan, but from the books through which I've flipped, HK tailors generally) taste in fabrics is quite a bit different than the general preferences of our fellow members. Surely the subtropical climate is a reason why. Italian cloths are more prevalent than English cloths, and even those will be rather light and Supers (Scabal 100, Clayton 150, Holland & Sherry 140). I could not find any acceptable tweeds or overcoat fabric (they had some, but from some dubious Italian mill) for a snowy winter. So you may want to supply your own fabric.

I recommend that you go in for the full set of fittings. This shouldn't be a problem if you're located in HK or nearby. On the order tours, Patrick takes measurements and sends a finished suit; obviously the pattern won't be quite right without a fitting, no matter what the cutter's talent. You can visit HK for a week, and they can squeeze in the fittings and finish a suit for you (although this time of year they're a bit busier than usual).

Good luck.

Ah Man Hing Cheong had been widely regarded as the best in Hong Kong. Most of the governor ( including Wilson and Patten ) and barristors were their clients. Their style are typical traditional English suits.

As mentioned elsewhere I have had a DB suit made by Patrick, and I am very happy with the results. So this is another vote for WW Chan.

With him now, is my LL Cooper tweed, which he is making into a 3 piece, 2.5B, SB, suit.