Alterations for WW Chan suits and jackets

[Beardman]

Sorry if there's a definitive thread already on this or a similar topic. I have a ton of bespoke WW Chan suits, jackets and pants that I've gotten over the years. I've recently lost twenty pounds, so I need alterations. I live in Philadelphia, but have easy access to NYC.

What's my best strategy?

See Patrick next time he's in NY and give him a bunch of garments to alter back in HK? Is there a tailor in NY or Philadelphia who can do the work reliably instead you folks can recommend?

Thanks in advance!

Michael

 

[Murlsquirl]

See Patrick next time he's in NY and give him a bunch of garments to alter back in HK?

That's what I would do.

 

[JLibourel]

Speaking as a dedicated Chanfan, if all you need is to have the trousers and jackets taken in some, I am sure that any reasonably good alterations tailor, of whom there must certainly be many in both the cities you name, should be up to the job. If you have a "ton" of Chan garments, even though I know the "ton" is figurative, I doubt if Patrick is going to be willing to haul them around on the tour with him. More likely he would make note of the necessary alterations and tell you to ship them to HK. I think it would be considerably less expensive and more convenient to have the alterations performed by local talent...as long as you are confident your precious Chan garments are in good hands.

 

[Jsoftz]

I just got a note back from Fiona for some alterations I sent in recently. For the first time, she wants to charge me! I've never seen that happen and I've had lots of garments from them altered over the five-ish years I've done business with them. It's not a trivial amount, $85 per pair of trousers. The jacket needs more extensive alterations so who knows what she'll say about that.

If this is the way they are going to do business going forward... I may drive more of my business to Joe Hemrajani and Mina of NSM.. it's kind of a shame.

Of note here whenever I've had Chan do alterations, I've just mailed them back myself to Fiona. It's like $200 or more if you use Fedex, but the Flat Rate USPS Priority Mail International is $69 I think. Patrick has never (and never offered) to take them himself, which totally makes sense. I usually request alterations when on tour and then maybe send in a few things to be changed.

 

[Parker]

Adding to JLibourel's comment: a good local alterations tailor is your best route. Quicker and cheaper.

Also nice work losing 20lb. Wow!

 

[JLibourel]



I just got a note back from Fiona for some alterations I sent in recently. For the first time, she wants to charge me! I've never seen that happen and I've had lots of garments from them altered over the five-ish years I've done business with them. It's not a trivial amount, $85 per pair of trousers. The jacket needs more extensive alterations so who knows what she'll say about that.

If this is the way they are going to do business going forward... I may drive more of my business to Joe Hemrajani and Mina of NSM.. it's kind of a shame.

Of note here whenever I've had Chan do alterations, I've just mailed them back myself to Fiona. It's like $200 or more if you use Fedex, but the Flat Rate USPS Priority Mail International is $69 I think. Patrick has never (and never offered) to take them himself, which totally makes sense. I usually request alterations when on tour and then maybe send in a few things to be changed.

What were you having done to the trousers? If it was a simple matter of taking in or letting out the waist, that's a $15 or $20 job at most local alterations tailors. If you were having the legs slimmed or something like that, obviously the charge would be higher.

Who or what is NSM?

 

[Jsoftz]



What were you having done to the trousers? If it was a simple matter of taking in or letting out the waist, that's a $15 or $20 job at most local alterations tailors. If you were having the legs slimmed or something like that, obviously the charge would be higher.

Who or what is NSM?

Just a waist change, taking it in a bit. And yeah, if I knew they were going to charge me I would have taken it to my local alterations guy. In the past I haven't been charged. Fiona says it is because my "size change," but I've never had them charge me before. I am already in for the shipping each way..

It doesn't appear that they are going to charge me for the Jacket alteration since this is a change to the fit (removing shoulder padding).

NSM = Napoli Su Misura. I had a jacket made by Mina Adamo there and I love it, it's just more expensive than Chan.