Surfcrest
March 8th, 2011, 16:05
There has been a fair amount of chatter over the past few months about shopping in Thailand, probably most notably Bangkok. There are probably quite a few opinions out there when it comes to Thailand tailors, the suit and shirt makers regardless of what race they are.
Like any of you, weтАЩve probably all walked by the street side tailors, whether they are in Patong Beach, on Beach Road in PattayaтАж.seen the displays or the sales pitch and said, no thanks. I imagine that unless you try one, there is no saying whether they are any good or not and so that first impression may be the only impression.
Probably your best bet, if you are going to have some clothes made for you while you are over here in Thailand, is to go with a shop that is recommended. A shop where someone has bought something or had something made and has a genuine opinion.
Of the shops I have used over the years I can recommend Peter Nang Factory 54 3/6 Siphraya Rd, Near Mandarin Hotel, Bangrak and Stylo Collection 414 Between Soi 22-24, Sukhumvit Road, Bangkok. I just had more shirts made for me at Stylo a few weeks back. Yes the Stylo team (also associated with Versace tailors on Sukumvit) are East Indian their tailor is Thai. It probably shouldn't matter what race they are, good tailors and bad tailors come from all sorts of backgrounds and so it boils down to workmanship and the quality / price of materials.
The big draw card for having clothes made in Thailand is the cost. The workmanship is a lot cheaper than what you would probably pay back home, if a tailor like this was available. Second, the material is something you pick and pay for based on quality and so more of your money goes into the materials, which all comes back to you in comfort and durability. ItтАЩs not always easy getting the proper fit with a shirt, with the proper gauge or thickness that you want and made of 100% cotton from a Western Department store. In Thailand the shirts are made to fit whatever body you are carrying around, made of the materials you want in the exact style you want (collars, cuffs, buttons, pockets) and made in a matter of a day or two.
A must add on if you are having suits made or you just want to add to your suits at home are ties from Jim Thompson. Jim Thompson has stores located all over Thailand, several in Pattaya, Bangkok and at the airport. If you are a connoisseur of good quality silk ties this is probably one of your best bets. The Outlet stores may have some ties available for as low as 800 baht, most of the rest are in the 1200 baht range with ties at the airport locations around 1880 baht. I have found the better styles are at the airport locations, but itтАЩs been 5 years since I was at Jim Thompson House (Not knowing if they have a collection there or not). They also have a great selection of shirts, shorts, womenтАЩs accessories and my favourite, silk boxers for sleeping.
Whether you are at Chakuchak Market or the Patpong you will see that Thailand has a lot of underwearтАж.especially rip off copies. One of the problems with his junk is the cotton content and the use of synthetic materials. In the tropics, itтАЩs important to stay cool especially in the groin areas or under the arms, both for comfort and so as not to attract mosquitoes with all the rain weтАЩve had this high season. 100% cotton should be your only choice. Every time I come to Bangkok I load up on cotton from Green Cotton in MBK. These folks make some of the best sheet sets I have ever owned. IтАЩve recently given these sheets away as gifts back home and now everyone wants them. They also make shirts, underwear, socks, towels, hats, slippers and all with that green cotton smell.
One thing I would never consider buying in Thailand is shoes. For some reason all their shoes are uglyтАж.albeit, some look good from a distance.
There's a few shopping tips for you!
Surfcrest
Like any of you, weтАЩve probably all walked by the street side tailors, whether they are in Patong Beach, on Beach Road in PattayaтАж.seen the displays or the sales pitch and said, no thanks. I imagine that unless you try one, there is no saying whether they are any good or not and so that first impression may be the only impression.
Probably your best bet, if you are going to have some clothes made for you while you are over here in Thailand, is to go with a shop that is recommended. A shop where someone has bought something or had something made and has a genuine opinion.
Of the shops I have used over the years I can recommend Peter Nang Factory 54 3/6 Siphraya Rd, Near Mandarin Hotel, Bangrak and Stylo Collection 414 Between Soi 22-24, Sukhumvit Road, Bangkok. I just had more shirts made for me at Stylo a few weeks back. Yes the Stylo team (also associated with Versace tailors on Sukumvit) are East Indian their tailor is Thai. It probably shouldn't matter what race they are, good tailors and bad tailors come from all sorts of backgrounds and so it boils down to workmanship and the quality / price of materials.
The big draw card for having clothes made in Thailand is the cost. The workmanship is a lot cheaper than what you would probably pay back home, if a tailor like this was available. Second, the material is something you pick and pay for based on quality and so more of your money goes into the materials, which all comes back to you in comfort and durability. ItтАЩs not always easy getting the proper fit with a shirt, with the proper gauge or thickness that you want and made of 100% cotton from a Western Department store. In Thailand the shirts are made to fit whatever body you are carrying around, made of the materials you want in the exact style you want (collars, cuffs, buttons, pockets) and made in a matter of a day or two.
A must add on if you are having suits made or you just want to add to your suits at home are ties from Jim Thompson. Jim Thompson has stores located all over Thailand, several in Pattaya, Bangkok and at the airport. If you are a connoisseur of good quality silk ties this is probably one of your best bets. The Outlet stores may have some ties available for as low as 800 baht, most of the rest are in the 1200 baht range with ties at the airport locations around 1880 baht. I have found the better styles are at the airport locations, but itтАЩs been 5 years since I was at Jim Thompson House (Not knowing if they have a collection there or not). They also have a great selection of shirts, shorts, womenтАЩs accessories and my favourite, silk boxers for sleeping.
Whether you are at Chakuchak Market or the Patpong you will see that Thailand has a lot of underwearтАж.especially rip off copies. One of the problems with his junk is the cotton content and the use of synthetic materials. In the tropics, itтАЩs important to stay cool especially in the groin areas or under the arms, both for comfort and so as not to attract mosquitoes with all the rain weтАЩve had this high season. 100% cotton should be your only choice. Every time I come to Bangkok I load up on cotton from Green Cotton in MBK. These folks make some of the best sheet sets I have ever owned. IтАЩve recently given these sheets away as gifts back home and now everyone wants them. They also make shirts, underwear, socks, towels, hats, slippers and all with that green cotton smell.
One thing I would never consider buying in Thailand is shoes. For some reason all their shoes are uglyтАж.albeit, some look good from a distance.
There's a few shopping tips for you!
Surfcrest