Hong Kong Shirtmakers - Dec 2017 prices, process, and product comparison

[ray8]

Hi all,

I'm in Hong Kong for a 2-week vacation, and I'll be visiting a handful of tailors that I've short-listed, mostly as the result of the commentary on this forum and on the internet in general.

I've been looking forward to having bespoke shirts made for a while (I've done MTM thus far), and when I was doing my own research, I found details were largely superficial (ex. "shirts were good") or dated (prices from at least several years ago). In hopes this will be helpful to anyone who is similarly interested, I wanted to share my thoughts and experiences, as well as up-to-date details as of December 2017 on price, process, and product from the various tailors.

Over the last two days, I've visited the following (in chronological order):

1) Noble House / Grand Tailors
2) Ascot Chang (Peninsula Hotel location)
3) Y William Yu
4) Gordon Yao
5) Jantzen

After visiting each location, I've commissioned shirts at Noble House, Ascot Chang, and Jantzen, and I'll share details on each of these tailors after I receive their product (I'll share pictures for comparison as well, and would value feedback and criticisms!).

Why did I pass on the other two?

- Andy Wong @ Y William Yu was nice enough, but given the holiday season, wasn't 100% sure he could deliver shirts to me prior to my departure, and didn't want to rush his tailors or me through the process. I consider this a testament to his character, and will definitely pay him a visit next time around. Minimum order here is 3 shirts, starting at 1000 HKD each for house fabrics, and 1300 HKD for TM.

- Mr. Yu @ Gordon Yao started the conversation with something like "we don't really make shirts; we mostly make suits..." and quoted a price close enough to AC that I didn't feel compelled to inquire further. Minimum order of 2 shirts, from 1500 HKD each.

I expect to have finished product from Noble House / Grand Tailors, AC, and Jantzen within a week’s time, so stay tuned.

If anyone has questions in the interim, feel free to let me know and I can try to (find an) answer.

P.S. The Grand Tailors website provides a phone number and address that belongs to Noble House, who indicated that Grand Tailors subcontracts their work to them. Can anyone here who's commissioned work from Grand Tailors in recent history confirm the validity of this?

 

[ray8]

[reserved for product report]

 

[Stalthy]

Great iniative. Will look forward to the reports. If you don’t mind me asking. What is the difference between a MTM shirt and bespoke shirt?

 

[ray8]

Made to measure (MTM) basically takes an existing template and factory-alters it to fit your body's major proportions (for shirts, generally collar, chest, sleeve, etc.).

Bespoke doesn't (shouldn't?) use a template at all, instead producing a one-of-a-kind blueprint specific to your measurements and preferences.

Both share a number of customization options (collar and cuff style, fabrics, pocket(s), plackets, buttons, linings, monogramming, etc.). I assume with bespoke, the sky's the limit and you can get as wacky as you want, but I wouldn't know. I work in pretty conservative industry (finance), so the frills are pretty much identical as far as I'm aware.

 

[jacobftww]

Looking forward to seeing the results.

 

[GBR]

Gordon Yao's shirts are made by Ascot Chang although that relationship has cooled since AC started to make its own suits.

 

[takashi78]

Can you post the process you had with each shop?
Or the experience when you went for the first time.
From how they welcome you, guiding you through the cloth selection, measuring, options etc.

 

[ray8]

Can you post the process you had with each shop?
Or the experience when you went for the first time.
From how they welcome you, guiding you through the cloth selection, measuring, options etc.

Absolutely!

For Y William Yu and Gordon Yao, the experience is only as described in my first post because I didn't get into the details with them.

For the tailors with whom I've commissioned shirts, I'll detail the process / experience and guidance received from each shop once I've received the finished product from each (last one scheduled for pickup Dec 26).

 

[Stalthy]

Any updates on the shirts?

 

[ray8]

Any updates on the shirts?

Yes, I’ll be picking up all the shirts later today. I had small adjustments done or additional shirts ordered, which lengthened the process. Time allowing, I’ll try to get a post out within 24h, thanks and sorry for the wait.

 

[ray8]

Happy New Year from HK!

Jantzen made a scheduling error, so I'm collecting my last shirts tomorrow (it seems Jan 1 is not a statutory holiday here), and I'll have my very comprehensive report up shortly thereafter.

 

[ray8]

In the interim, here's the first shirt made by each of the three shops. Please let me know what you think; comments and criticisms are welcome!

Couple notes: I'm on vacation and don't have proper pants to try these shirts with, so the closest thing I've got are these low-rise jeans in black (sorry!). Also, none of the shirts have been washed and ironed yet, but I figured I'll upload these now instead of waiting another 11 days (long vacation).

Thanks in advance for the feedback!

 

[echow]

Which one is from which shop?

In the interim, here's the first shirt made by each of the three shops. Please let me know what you think; comments and criticisms are welcome!

Couple notes: I'm on vacation and don't have proper pants to try these shirts with, so the closest thing I've got are these low-rise jeans in black (sorry!). Also, none of the shirts have been washed and ironed yet, but I figured I'll upload these now instead of waiting another 11 days (long vacation).

View attachment 900313 View attachment 900320 View attachment 900321

View attachment 900322 View attachment 900323 View attachment 900324

View attachment 900325 View attachment 900326 View attachment 900327

Thanks in advance for the feedback!

ich

 

[daizawaguy]

Jantzen have had so many scheduling and other errors going back 10 years plus - things never change it seems!

 

[ray8]

Which one is from which shop?

ich

Sorry for going AWOL. The holidays have been busy, but I did get all my shirts.

I'll do my best to post the full report (it's long...) tomorrow and will reveal those details then. If anyone wants to offer an opinion on the fit before I do that, it'd be much appreciated!