Bangkok's best tailors and made-to-measure services
Nothing beats getting clothes that fit perfectly. Check out Bangkok’s best tailors and bespoke fashion brands for men and women.
7 years ago
Bespoke Suits
Tailor on Ten
Elegant, professional, well-staffed and upfront about pricing, Tailor on Ten has become many a sartorialist's go-to. Unlike the vast majority of tailor shops, they carry out all their work on-site, and staff are willing to take you behind the scenes to show you what goes into making a jacket—lining, canvas, shoulder pads and chest plate. The result is a low-pressure environment, where everything’s spelled out and the customer feels free to walk out without buying. Tailor on Ten may not be the cheapest tailor in Bangkok, but it might just be the most stress-free.
Price: Suits start at B14,500 for blended wool and B17,500 for pure wool. Prices for cotton shirts start at B2,200.
93 Sukhumvit Soi 8, 084-877-1543. Open Mon-Sat 9:30am-7pm. www.tailoronten.com
Pinky / Pawin Tailor
The three-decade-old Pinky is a perennial favorite for the well-dressed man and woman. It may look like many other tailors on Sukhumvit—and there are very many—with endless rows of fabric, but the experience here is unlike any other. His tailors work especially for him and are very skilled, so know what you want and you'll get exactly that. Pawin (see BK Asks, page 8), Pinky’s son, has since opened up his own tailoring business right next door, offering younger styles made with no less attention to detail. With his own ready-to-wear collections, Pawin has even transitioned to exhibiting his work at Europe’s fashion weeks.
Price: Pure wool suits start at B13,000, plus the cost of extra knickknacks like special buttons or personalized details. Top-quality fabrics from brands like Ermenegildo Zegna become considerably more expensive.
Mahatun Plaza Arcade, 888/40 Phloen Chit Rd., 02-253-6328. Open Mon-Sat 10am-7:30pm. BTS Phloen Chit. www.pinkytailor.com
Credit: www.narincouture.com
Narin Couture
Wooden paneled and outfitted with traditional mannequins, Narin Couture looks all of its 20 years of age. Owner Narin Bowonnaowarux formally trained as a tailor at Chambre Syndicale de la Couture Parisienne in Paris (basically Le Cordon Bleu but for clothes), learning both suit design and construction. He’ll offer you a classic and elegant, fully-canvassed (meaning the suits inner structural lining is sewn in rather than glued) jacket made to your perfect measurements. Don’t expect him to get things done quickly—good suits take longer than seven days to make.
Price: Pure wool starts at B25,000, plus an extra B10,000 if you want canvassing.
180 Sukhumvit Rd. (between soi 8-10), 02-251-9237. Open Mon-Sat 10:30am-9:30pm. BTS Nana. www.narincouture.com
Vvon Sugunnasil
With a significantly more hi-so feel than your usual Bangkok tailor, this tiny shop offers very high-quality fabric, starting from pure wool Japanese super 120 and going up to luxury fabrics from Europe that can cost B40,000. Choose your sample swatch, and match it with a shirt collection that allows for 20 different collars. Owner Von spent a year in Paris learning about small bespoke boutiques before opening up shop, which explains why his tailoring style leans towards the French. Among his customers, he counts society page regulars like Nadech Kukimiya. The wait is long, so make your appointment well in advance of whenever you need the suit for.
Price: From B18,000 for Japanese super 120 wool.
The Barkyard BKK, 65 Sukhumvit Soi 26, 086-899-9888. Open Tue-Sun 11am-7pm; Monday by appointment. IG: vvonsugunnasil
Tailorbird
Unlike most tailor shops, Tailorbird is headed by a woman, Passara “Mhai” Silapat, who specializes not in business suits but rather wedding-wear. Though her focus is on things like tuxedos, morning suits and handmade grooms’ accessories (pins, bowties and pocket squares, from B350), she does also offer standard work suits that are made using the same high-quality cloth as her family’s 70-year-old Broadway Tailor shop (Petchburi Rd.).
Price: From B11,000 for both work and wedding suits. Suit rental starts from B3,500, while custom rental goes for B8,000 and up.
8 Sukhumvit Soi 28, 081-633-4884. Open Mon-Fri 10:30am- 6pm; Sat 10am-7pm. www.fb.com/Tailorbirdshop
See more on Bangkok's best tailors
Dresses
Memoirs
Although this online clothing store is better known for its line of minimal, ready-to-wear clothes in linen and other breezy fabrics, the tailor service is killer, too. Options range from simple dresses to evening gowns and wedding dresses. You can bring your own style and fabric, or pay a little extra for designing help and have the fabric picked out for you hassle-free. Earlier this year, The Voice sensation Violette Wautier got her lace floor-length gown made here for an award ceremony. And it looked amazing. Contact Memoirs via Instagram: memoirsofficialth or Line: melodiemgl.
Price: From B6,000
Well Shop
This shop strictly does made-to-order clothes with around 90 percent of orders being for long evening gowns. Its specialty is perfectly fitting feminine dresses, using mostly chiffon and satin. Just send over the style you want, along with colors, fabric types and other information, and you’ll hear back about the details and prices in no time. Don’t worry if you don’t know exactly what you want; Mint, the tailor, will help you design and make your ideas come to life. The home studio is in Pattanakarn, but you can get a house-visit for measurement at no charge. Contact via Instagram: well_shops, Line: oncemint8 or call 081-349-1838 for services.
Price: From B3,700
Wanpen
This tailor may not look fancy, but fashionistas swear by her execution (see BK Asks, right). Owner and house tailor Wanpen makes what could be described as “mom’s style” clothes, from simple everyday dresses to shirts and pants. But if you want something more elegant and fancy, just show her the design and you will get exactly that (if not better). Production is done at the shop, which is also her house.
Prices: From B800 excluding fabric.
363/24 Ladprao Soi 26, 089-774-4045. By appointment only
Denim
Selvedgework
The first thing you see when you walk in this store is a dozen of different kinds of selvedge denim to choose from displayed on the wall. The staff can walk you through the process and options available, so don’t worry if you don’t know anything about denim. Selvedgework offers five cuts (super skinny, skinny, slim, straight and regular) with denim both made in-house and imported from Japan and the USA, along with options to customize your new pair of selvedge denim jeans with buttons, waistbands, pocket linings and lasered initials. Customers are mostly men, but women’s denim jeans are also available with fewer customizable options. You can also find ready-to-wear products in-store, including denim shirts, aprons and imported bags. Production time is around 1-2 weeks.
Price: From B6,900
Siam Square Soi 2, 02-658-0486. Open daily noon-9pm. BTS Siam. www.selvedgework.com
Nama Denim
One of Bangkok's most trusted (and affordable) jeans makers, launched a custom line at the start of this year to give customers the opportunity to make their own ideal pair of jeans. The process starts with the fit (skinny, slim, straight, workwear or you can even bring in your existing fave pair of jeans), then you can choose from a selection of Japanese selvedge denim fabrics that are designed to look better with age. Other customizable details include pocket lining, back pocket (five different designs), stitching color, buttons, rivets and leather patch.
Price: From B4,900-8,900, and production takes around one week. Available for both men and women.
2/F, Terminal 21, Sukhumvit Rd., 08-989-2723. Open daily 10am-10pm. BTS Asoke. www.fb.com/namadenim
Shoes
Mango Mojito
This Thai brand offers six designs for classic gentleman-style custom-made shoes. You can choose the color, leather, shoelaces and many more options to make your pair unique and special. The boutique is stylish, with many polished Oxfords, loafers and boat shoes on display that are made to fit your feet comfortably. You can also get quick, 15-minute shines (B200) and up-to-60-minute premium shines (B400) using world-class products like horsehair brushes and Saphir cleaning products.
Prices: From around B4,000. Tailored services are available only at J Avenue (Thonglor) and Siam Square branches.
Siam Square Soi 2, Rama 1 Rd., Bangkok, 02-252-5945. Open daily 12pm-9pm. BTS Siam J Avenue, Thonglor Soi 15, 02-712-5529. Open daily 12pm-9pm. BTS Thong Lo
Don’s Footwear
Located at the bottom of Mahanakhon Cube, this traditional made-to-order bespoke shoe shop offers a big range of hand-welted shoes—around 15 different styles—for every occasion, from casual footwear to some serious business kicks. Other shoe services like 10-minute express shoe shine (B180), mirror shines (B500), sole and heel replacement (B1,500) and repairs (prices range from B500-B1,750) are also available. You get two free shoe shines, free minor repairs and touch-ups with every pair of shoes you purchase at Don’s. Service takes 2-3 weeks and prices range from B4,000-20,000 per pair.
B1/F, Mahanakhon Cube Building, 96 Narathiwat Ratchanakarin Rd., 080-071-7176. Open Mon-Fri 9am-7pm; Sat-Sun 9am-5pm. BTS Chong Nonsi
Ballet Shoes
One of Bangkok’s oldest shoe shops, Ballet Shoes has been around for over 60 years. It started out as a small family-owned store, but has gradually changed into a tailor-made shoe company catering to a diverse range of customers. Most of the shoes are comfortable ballet flats—the shop’s specialty—but there are also wedges, high heels, Oxfords and sandals. You can play with the style and materials all you want.
Available in 4 locations: CentralWorld (3/F, 02-613-1745), Siam Square One (1/F, 02-252-2464), Terminal 21 (3/F, 02-254-0747) and Silom Complex (2/F, 02-231-3267), or at www.fb.com/BalletShoes.
BK Asks
Sulaiman Swaleh, 27, Swing Dancer and Instructor
What are the most important things to consider when getting a tailored suit?
“You have to know what you want, and really do your research. There are many different styles, different details like where the pockets should be placed, how high and how low, neat cut or slim cut and so on. Eras like ‘20s-50s have different lapel shapes, pleat styles, pocket styles. If you let the tailor do everything, they’ll stick to the basics and your suit won’t stand out much.”
Favorite tailor: Pinky
Kraijan Suwansanya, 23, Beauty Digital Writer for Vogue Thailand
What makes you opt for tailor-made clothes?
“Everyone’s body is different. Some dresses only look great if they fit you perfectly, not too tight where they’re supposed to be loose, or vice versa. You won’t find every dress in the right size for you, and you can only customize store-bought ones so far. The fit is really important, and so is the design. If it’s something you like, it is worth the hassle.”
Favorite tailor: Wanpen
Pawin Palitdejtakul, 31, Owner, Pawin Tailor
What are you doing differently from your father's store, Pinky Tailor?
"My dad has built such a solid base of customers and craftsmanship. I am building on that with my own collections. Earlier this year I exhibited at Paris Fashion Week. We want to tell people we can do many things other than just normal suits."
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