The Hong Kong Tailors Thread

[PekingRoadHK]

I don't know and don't need a superb suit . I just don't have the energy to go to different fabric shops, nail down 3 or more appointments with Baotou whom are not always available. I like to have a convience location and nice clean area to get change and fit. Anyone goes into a tailor shop knows they make money, what wrong with that ? I have the right to spend my own money . I don't need to be a clever consumer like PekingRoadHK. Other guys like to squeeze every cents they pay are welcome to follow PekingRoadHK.

There is nothing wrong to go retail tailor shops or baotou. I have pointed out the advantages and disadvantages for both supply side. Both supply side might have similar problems. BaoTou is an alternative. Retail tailor shops or BaoTou? There is no guarantee which one better for everyone. We, consumers choose what we prefer according to our own needs. We, consumers should have the rights to know the alternative. There is no point to hire info for the alternative to protect the interest of tailor shops. That's all.

 

[Fishball]



There are about 100 BaoTou in Mirador working for 95% retail tailor shops in HK.

What's the advantage to deal with BaoTou directly besides money?
1) Average tailor shops don't have their "cutter & fitter" to serve their customers, wrong data will make errors when the sales people make measurements and fittings. When you go to good tailor shops with their "cutter & fitter" to serve you, the situation is the same as dealing with BaoTou directly.
2) Bypass tailor shops, this is to deal with the tailors and fabric shops directly. You can say this is good or bad, this is up to you.
3) Similar problems could apply to both tailor shops and BaoTou, there is no guarantee which one better for everyone.

What's the disadvantage to deal with tailor shops directly?
1) You don't know if they got their "cutter & fitter" to serve you when you are a new customer.
2) They might lie on fabrics, e.g. "patek philippe" suit

How is the other 5% tailor shops that doesn't use Baotou?

So, 1, if the tailor shop has inhouse cutter, Baotou lost it advantage.
2, Is not an advantage to most people, if they are doing CMT, and the tailor shop have in house cutter.
3. Is not an advantage at all as you said.

So, that means no real advantage at all if a tailor shop has it own cutter in house, is it what you said?

 

[Jayess]

Anyone can recommend a decent tailor to make some basic adjustments to a jacket (take in waist, shorten sleeves) that is fairly priced - budget around 600 ish or less? I got quoted round 400 to take in the waist (both sides) and around 200+ to shorten sleeves (so total around 600...) at a tailor in Quarry Bay but am not sure of their tailoring skills. I would like to have a tailor who is able to let me know how the jacket should fit and what adjustments to make as opposed to me telling them off the bat first.

 

[PekingRoadHK]

How is the other 5% tailor shops that doesn't use Baotou?

So, 1, if the tailor shop has inhouse cutter, Baotou lost it advantage.
2, Is not an advantage to most people, if they are doing CMT, and the tailor shop have in house cutter.
3. Is not an advantage at all as you said.

So, that means no real advantage at all if a tailor shop has it own cutter in house, is it what you said?

For the rest of the 5%, some tailor shops have their BaoTou working outside Mirador. For the rest, some are small size family own tailor shops, and the others are brand names with in house "cutter & fitter", they bypass BaoTou. They do the measurements, cuttings, fittings, and outsource their work to workshops in HK or China. Only very few have got their own workshops, but all tailor shops can say they got their own workshops.

1) 2) 3) For good tailor shops, they got their in house "cutter & fitter" to serve their customers, this is the same case for BaoTou. Therefore, there is no advantage or disadvantage at all. However, no one guarantee you the shop has got their in house "cutter & fitter" to serve their customers. All sales people can say they are in house "cutter & fitter".

If I put your opinion in an opposite direction. So, tailor shops with in house "cutter & fitter" have no real advantage over BaoTou at all.

As I said before, BaoTou is an alternative. If you work for tailor shops, this is surely a conflict of interest. I am sure tailor shops must avoid the general public to know about BaoTou. For consumers, this is an alternative, this is our choice. We, consumers choose what we prefer according to our own needs. That's all. If you are a consumer, you should not be worry about advantages or disadvantages, it's just an alternative. You don't like it, you don't buy it. You like it , you give it a try. There is no need to argue about it.

I would say BaoTou does not harm business of bespoke tailor shops, because local rich people and foreigners making a short trip to HK will not use BaoTou. We, consumers don't have the responsibility to protect the interest of tailor shops.

 

[GBR]



For the rest of the 5%, some tailor shops have their BaoTou working outside Mirador. For the rest, some are small size family own tailor shops, and the others are brand names with in house "cutter & fitter", they bypass BaoTou. They do the measurements, cuttings, fittings, and outsource their work to workshops in HK or China. Only very few have got their own workshops, but all tailor shops can say they got their own workshops.

1) 2) 3) For good tailor shops, they got their in house "cutter & fitter" to serve their customers, this is the same case for BaoTou. Therefore, there is no advantage or disadvantage at all. However, no one guarantee you the shop has got their in house "cutter & fitter" to serve their customers. All sales people can say they are in house "cutter & fitter".

If I put your opinion in an opposite direction. So, tailor shops with in house "cutter & fitter" have no real advantage over BaoTou at all.

As I said before, BaoTou is an alternative. If you work for tailor shops, this is surely a conflict of interest. I am sure tailor shops must avoid the general public to know about BaoTou. For consumers, this is an alternative, this is our choice. We, consumers choose what we prefer according to our own needs. That's all. If you are a consumer, you should not be worry about advantages or disadvantages, it's just an alternative. You don't like it, you don't buy it. You like it , you give it a try. There is no need to argue about it.

I would say BaoTou does not harm business of bespoke tailor shops, because local rich people and foreigners making a short trip to HK will not use BaoTou. We, consumers don't have the responsibility to protect the interest of tailor shops. 

What point are you trying to make with all these rambling posts, with pretty colours emphasising sundry points?

We all know that that many "tailors" in Hong Kong use sweat shops, many Saville Row tailors use 'out workers' who are just freelances. So, one might hit lucky and find a work room at the upper end of the market, you might also hit one which is at the bottom end (most are), that is choice. What do you think that the Asia touts at the likes of Star Ferry, Kowloonside are selling and where does it come from?

I patronise one, to whom I was introduced who does sell from his work room, but he doesn't take jobs in for anyone else, he has plenty of his own commissions to satisfy. This all seems pretty pointless to me and hasn't told us much about the products on offer from any of them.

 

[hippotamus]

Worst case maybe demanding (fussy) customers without knowledge . They grap some terms from the internet and throw to tailors without understand it .

Some guys ask as many pockets + non-use details as possible in order to squeeze every drop they pay.

Interesting you met clients that request "a lot" and you think them as "squeezing your profit" ........

First, we are talking about bespoke / tailor made, with that one should have custom made features that fit the client lifestyle and needs.

And maybe you should set a system, a default of what your jacket / pants has

Jacket : full lined, pick stitch, hand sew button, 4 button on the sleeve, 3 internal pocket...etc
so if they asked for half lined, 5 sleeve button, extra internal pocket, you could charge extra.

This is fair system and some of the Japanese tailor I encounter do that and indeed if you go less than the specification they save you a buck.

 

[hippotamus]

The problem with "Grand Tailor" as used on this Board, is that there are several. Few actually make clear which one they mean. I did specify which GT and will stand by my comments.

Dont think that's a problem at all....everyone here is talking about the same GT by Mr. Hui.

And YES, I also stand by my comments, and YES, they fused before applying the other stuff on your jacket.

You should check.

 

[Hifilover]



Interesting you met clients that request "a lot" and you think them as "squeezing your profit" ........

First, we are talking about bespoke / tailor made, with that one should have custom made features that fit the client lifestyle and needs. 

And maybe you should set a system, a default of what your jacket / pants has 

Jacket : full lined, pick stitch, hand sew button, 4 button on the sleeve, 3 internal pocket...etc
so if they asked for half lined, 5 sleeve button, extra internal pocket, you could charge extra. 

This is fair system and some of the Japanese tailor I encounter do that and indeed if you go less than the specification they save you a buck. 

I am not a tailor but i will pass your suggestion to my tailor whom is my friend as well .

 

[Hifilover]



There is nothing wrong to go retail tailor shops or baotou. I have pointed out the advantages and disadvantages for both supply side. Both supply side might have similar problems. BaoTou is an alternative. Retail tailor shops or BaoTou? There is no guarantee which one better for everyone. We, consumers choose what we prefer according to our own needs. [COLOR=0000FF]We, consumers should have the rights to know the alternative. There is no point to hire info for the alternative to protect the interest of tailor shops.[/COLOR] [COLOR=000000]That's all.[/COLOR]

 

[Hifilover]



There is nothing wrong to go retail tailor shops or baotou. I have pointed out the advantages and disadvantages for both supply side. Both supply side might have similar problems. BaoTou is an alternative. Retail tailor shops or BaoTou? There is no guarantee which one better for everyone. We, consumers choose what we prefer according to our own needs. [COLOR=0000FF]We, consumers should have the rights to know the alternative. There is no point to hire info for the alternative to protect the interest of tailor shops.[/COLOR] [COLOR=000000]That's all.[/COLOR]

Why not start a new thread of Baotou? It will be easier for bargain hunter .

 

[Hifilover]



Anyone can recommend a decent tailor to make some basic adjustments to a jacket (take in waist, shorten sleeves) that is fairly priced - budget around 600 ish or less? I got quoted round 400 to take in the waist (both sides) and around 200+ to shorten sleeves (so total around 600...) at a tailor in Quarry Bay  but am not sure of their tailoring skills. I would like to have a tailor who is able to let me know how the jacket should fit and what adjustments to make as opposed to me telling them off the bat first. 

Are you prepare to pay a consulting fee? Why a experience tailor gives his advise for free ? If you are paying an alternation fee only , why you demand for advise ?

 

[PekingRoadHK]

What point are you trying to make with all these rambling posts, with pretty colours emphasising sundry points?

We all know that that many "tailors" in Hong Kong use sweat shops, many Saville Row tailors use 'out workers' who are just freelances. So, one might hit lucky and find a work room at the upper end of the market, you might also hit one which is at the bottom end (most are), that is choice. What do you think that the Asia touts at the likes of Star Ferry, Kowloonside are selling and where does it come from?

I patronise one, to whom I was introduced who does sell from his work room, but he doesn't take jobs in for anyone else, he has plenty of his own commissions to satisfy. This all seems pretty pointless to me and hasn't told us much about the products on offer from any of them.

I also think you are making a rambling post. You don't like it, you call that sundry points. I got PMs saying my posts are very informative and straight to the point.

Those Star Ferry tailors you talk about outsource their work to BaoTou for HK$600 to $800. It's funny to see you are comparing outsource workers of Saville Row tailors and Star Ferry tailors. You have confirmed both good and bad tailor shops outsource their work, and that does NOT mean outsourcing work will end up with junk products. If I use your logic on tailor shops, one might hit lucky and find a tailor shop at the upper end of the market, you might also hit one which is at the bottom end (most are), that is choice.

Like I said before, good BaoTou with good workshops work for good tailor shops, and bad BaoTou with bad workshops work for bad tailor shops. After years visiting bespoke tailor shops and talk to their tailors, it is funny to meet the same BaoTou in their workshops and deal with them directly. There are BaoTou who are working for the bespoke tailor shops you guys have been pointing to. Look at my post of 3676#:
Among those bespoke tailor shops (fully canvassed suit only) mentioned in page 245 from 3668# to 3674#, I am using 1 ex BaoTou from a bespoke tailor shop and 1 BaoTou from another bespoke tailor shop! There is another 1 BaoTou from the same bespoke and 1 more from another bespoke which I have not tried yet. That is 4 BaoTou from 3 bespoke mentioned last page! There could be more than that which I have not found out yet. There is no life time employment like the 20th century, tailors are not working for their ex- employers for life for many different reasons. All tailor shops in HK can say they have their own workshops, they have their own in house tailors, and they never outsource to BaoTou. Which one tells the truth?

 

[PekingRoadHK]

Why not start a new thread of Baotou? It will be easier for bargain hunter .

The topic of this thread is " THE HONG KONG TAILORS THREAD ".
BaoTou are tailors behind retail tailor shops, therefore, BaoTou are part of Hong Kong Tailors.

Why is this thread reserved for tailor shops only?

 

[add911_11]

I will love to see selfies of PeakingRoadHK, hippotamus and HIfilover in their best suiting outfit.....

Are people keen on 240g wool linen silk suit with no interfusing? Hui begged me to make it this way with half lining...

 

[GBR]



I also think you are making a rambling post. You don't like it, you call that sundry points. I got PMs saying my posts are very informative and straight to the point.

Those Star Ferry tailors you talk about are from BaoTou for HK$600 to $800. It's funny to see you are comparing outsource workers from Saville Row and Star Ferry tailors. [COLOR=0000FF]You have confirmed good and bad tailor shops also outsource their work, and that does NOT mean outsourcing work will end up with junk products. [/COLOR]If I use your logic on tailor shops, one might hit lucky and find a tailor shop at the upper end of the market, you might also hit one which is at the bottom end (most are), that is choice. 

Like I said before, good BaoTou with good workshops work for good tailor shops, and bad BaoTou with bad workshops work for bad tailor shops. After years visiting bespoke tailor shops and talk to their tailors, it is funny to meet the same BaoTou in their workshops and deal with them directly. [COLOR=0000FF]There are BaoTou who are working for the bespoke tailor shops you guys have been pointing to.[/COLOR] Look at my post of 3676#:
Among those bespoke tailor shops (fully canvassed suit only) mentioned in page 245 from 3668# to 3674#, I am using 1 ex BaoTou from a bespoke tailor shop and 1 BaoTou from another bespoke tailor shop! There is another 1 BaoTou from the same bespoke and 1 more from another bespoke which I have not tried yet. That is 4 BaoTou from 3 bespoke mentioned last page! There could be more than that which I have not found out yet. There is no life time employment like the 20th century, tailors are not working for their ex- employers for life for many different reasons. All tailor shops in HK can say they have their own workshops, they have their own in house tailors, and they never outsource to BaoTou. Which one tells the truth?

I am not comparing the TST touts to Saville Row, merely using them as exemplars of the extremes. I would agree that many tradesmen not just tailors in HK tell lies, one must simply form a judgement as to which is which.

So, some out workers are good, others, bad. Quite so.

• Your objective is to try to gather some of the decent ones together it seems.
• However there are other things in life and so, I tend to work the other way around; I start from the outputs I want and their integration into a whole suits which I would be likely to be happy wearing.
• Are you really suggesting I could go just one of the outworkers and get one man to make a suit, experience and the apprentices that write in one blog make very clear that each specialises?
• If one buys an IT system of some complexity, I know that I can buy the individual pieces cheaply,, but I want a system that works, so I employ one of those companies involved to stand in the role of 'system' integrator.
• That way everything should work as one. Is that not what a tailor does? Create a full suit out by the integration of the individual elements?

I can be very much straight to the point, many suits produced within 100 yards of others are fit only for burning, a few will be fit for wearing, some don't like things put that way.