The London Lounge

Gentlemen:

I have just finished scanning some of the posts on Hong Kong Tailors and members' experiences with them. From what I've read it appears to be possible to get 95% SR bespoke quality at 40% of the price?

I have a couple of SR suits(which I'm very happy with), however, being posessed of Scottish blood, I am toying with the idea of a trip to HK to see if it's possible to have duplicates made. I'd describe my level of knowledge as on the low side.

Any thoughts on the sense of this course of action would be greatly appreciated.

Probably, you get what you expect, for the charge. But it is interesting to note that you believe that the impetus to save is genetic. It is especially interesting to me because the Cornish (of which I am one) are generally meaner than you Scotch - but we would not go half way around the world (presumably in considerable discomfort) on such a penny-pinching excursion.
NJS.

Some of us would not consider 60% of more than £2,000 "penny-pinching".

I went the Eastern route nearly twenty years ago. I wouldn't travel it again: I prefer a smaller but better -- better-looking, more comfortable, longer-lasting -- wardrobe, much though I (with some Scots and some Cornish ancestry) dislike the expenditure.

RWS - a genetic double-whammy - a favourite Cornish phrase is :"I don't like parting with money".
NJS

It is often suggested that the main reason many of my fellow countrymen have protruding ears and advanced alopecia is due to the action of running their hands through their hair, while exclaiming 'HOW MUCH'?

And Cornishmen frequently have red noses owing to the combined effects of Hicks' Special Draught beer and from rubbing their noses as they repeat "HOW much?"
NJS

Thank you, both, for amusing posts -- much appreciated after a long, dreary morning in court.

P.S. -- Here in the States, the traditional miser is a genetic Yankee (that is, a descendant of the early-seventeenth-century settlers of New England). Many a story is told about his unwillingness to part even with words, let alone a penny; but more than a few of the country's finest institutions and noblest traits are traceable to him. -- RWS

Forgive my straying further from the ostensible topic of this thread; but my own postscript immediately above put me in mind of a story about Calvin Coolidge, the last Yankee president of the United States, back in the 1920s, before the elder George Bush was elected in 1988.

"Silent Cal" was famed for the parsimony of his speech. Once, at a White House dinner, the pretty young thing to his left gushed, "Oh, Mr. President, my girlfriend told me I couldn't get three words out of you all evening long. I told her, 'Nonsense! Such a wise and good man will have plenty to tell little old me! I bet her that I could!'" The president turned to the gusher and remarked simply, "You lose."

RWS - the Calvin Coolidge story reminds me of someone I once worked for in the civil service called 'AL'. I suppose that you could just about call him a Whitehall Manadrin; certainly famed for his laconic approach. One morning, he attended a packed meeting in what were still then 'smoke-filled rooms'. A late-comer to the meeting entered the room with the words "It's like the Black Hole of Calcutta in here!" Someone idly quizzed: "Well, how many people were there in the Calcutta?" and the taciturn AL volunteered, to a stunned silence: "One hundred and forty six". Another person then earnestly inquired "How do you know that AL?" and AL replied "From school!" - to everyone's great amusement .
NJS

Pagean, why go to HK when HK comes to England with such frequency? I'm currently awaiting delivery of a suit from Raja Fashions. Their prices are shockingly low - from about £150!

I look forward to reporting back once my suit arrives, but from what I've seen so far the chances of you getting a satisfactory outcome, given your lack of experience,is very small. Raja's idea of how a suit should look is not one that members of this forum are likely to share - for instance they were very worried that, because I'd asked for a very little break on my shoe, my socks would be visible when I sat down!

In my experience there aren't many bargains in the world of bespoke. If you're looking to save money it might be better to try off-Savile Row tailors in London, with who you might strike up a rewarding relationship (something that's hard to imagine with Raja).

Ah well, the good and worthy Mr Mahon will be happy to hear that I shall not be jumping on a plane to HK. I will bid farewell to my Hong Kong plans and remember the words of the estimable Mr Andrew Carnegie - 'the man who dies wealthy dies disgraced'

And Mr. Carnegie was right -- but he of course didn't intend that we'd dissipate our own tiny fortunes in clothing! (I must admit, though, that the temptation is there.)

To say all Hong Kong tailors are “bad” is similar to saying that all Italian bespoke tailors are good – definitely not the case. I used to have all my custom tailoring done in Italy. However, I have been using a Hong Kong custom tailor for a couple of years and I am very happy with the results. Like many people, I was skeptical at first and so I approached this particular tailor with caution: I started having a couple of trousers & vests made before going to jackets. Having said that, I would strongly recommend against trying Hong Kong tailors unless you live near Hong Kong or you travel there regularly. It takes time and patience to build a relationship and get things right. A good custom-made jacket is cheaper but not cheap – for example, a Holland & Sherry wool jacket costs ~$1,200 and a similar custom-made Italian jacket costs me ~$2,800 a couple of years ago. If a Hong Kong tailor says he can do a three piece suit for $800, run! Having said that, a tailor that charges more does not mean he is good, you have to check the references, ask questions and see first hand the finished goods. The bottom line is that if you live near London, don’t make a special trip Hong Kong because you want a cheaper suit or jacket.

Finally, I find my Italian tailors very temperamental; they are like artists and not very accommodating. Hong Kong tailors, on the other hand, are very flexible and willing to listen to your wants and needs. However, this means you got to know what you want and be top on things with the Hong Kong tailors.

Falke

Manself wrote:Pagean, why go to HK when HK comes to England with such frequency? I'm currently awaiting delivery of a suit from Raja Fashions. Their prices are shockingly low - from about £150!

).

Raja fashions is about the lowest form of quality which comes from Hong Kong and is an affront to decency.

Fused, factory made to a standard block.

They would not know bespoke if it hit them.

Sadly none of the quality HK tailors Y William Yu, Chan or Gordon Yao come to the UK.