Getting tailored garments made in Samui
Samui tailors are experts at their craft
Over the last few decades Thailand has garnered an excellent reputation with visitors for the quality of tailored garments that can be bought at tailors in all the main cities and holiday resorts. The clothes are premium quality and cost a fraction of the price of bespoke garments in the West. These facts coupled with the quick turnround times offered by most tailors are an attractive inducement that has over the years encouraged holidaymakers to completely revamp their wardrobes.
Although the area around the Oriental Hotel in central Bangkok is probably the most famous district for getting clothes made to order, Samui is certainly not too far behind. Tailor shops in the main resorts on the island allow men and women to enhance their Thai holiday by returning home with some superior made-to measure clothing.
Samui’s choice of tailor shops are mostly run and managed by local tailors, but international designer clothiers do have outlets on the island. Tailors can soon knock something up in fabrics, both locally made and imported, that include the finest silks, cottons, linens and cashmere in a design to the customer’s specific requirements. More on shopping for silk.
The bespoke tailor shops on Samui are mostly centred around Lamai Beach, Chaweng Beach Road and Nathon Market. Touts for some of the shops tend to wander the nearby streets looking for customers. Once prospective buyers have decided on a shop that suits them it is time to try and strike a favourable deal.
Listed below are some of the tailored garment outlets on Samui. These locations use only the best materials, and produce durable stitching and seams and also ensure that patrons leave with items that actually fit perfectly, not always an option at off-the-peg clothiers.
Recommended Koh Samui tailors
Baron Fashion
This well known clothing outfitter’s is sited on Chaweng Beach Road and claims to offer some of the best-made garments on Samui Island. Baron offers a diverse range of fabrics and hand-crafted seams, hem and button-holes.
Thai silk is of the highest quality
Paris Mode
As its name implies, Paris Mode offers European designs that rival the creations of the most reputable French and Italian designers, but at a much more agreeable price. The master tailor at this outfitter produces prime quality men’s suits, shirts, ties and ladieswear from fabrics including imported UK and Italian wools, Polish linen, Egyptian cotton and Thai silk.
The proprietor here says that he keeps customers’ measurements on a central database to enable them to make additional orders once they have returned home. The outlet often runs promotions which offer discounts on selected summer and winter wear. Paris Mode is on Chaweng Beach across from the Poppies Hotel.
Chaweng Boutique
The Boutique was established in 1989 and since then has built up an enviable reputation for producing first-class clothing that compels satisfied buyers to return time and again.
This outfitter’s primary product is fabulous silk items, but they do also offer leather shoes, jeans, jackets and overcoats. The silk articles are made from a 100 per cent Thai product to ensure that they will last a lifetime and are adorned with flamboyant colour hues that feature the very finest workmanship.
Armani Suits International
Armani Suits International is the brainchild of tailor Peter Poudyel and opened for business in 1999. Armani has three Chaweng branches, the main one is across from the Centara Resort on Beach Road. Consummate professionals at the outlets will lovingly create suits, tuxedoes, formal dresses, trousers, slacks, jackets and overcoats from a stock of almost 2,000 different fabrics.
Armani’s management says it obtains the materials from the world’s finest mills and that they are handcrafted with attention to the tiniest details. The company offers a free pick-up service to its customers. People who book their shop visit by e-mail on the company’s website can obtain discounts on final purchase prices.
Timmy's Tailor
Timmy's is one of Samui’s longest established made-to-measure clothiers. Tailors and designer’s at Timmy's two Chaweng outlets create unique wedding dresses, dresses, suits, trousers from fabrics including Thai silk, cotton and cashmere wool. The main branch of Timmy's is on Beach Road near the Chaba and Beach Comber resorts.
Apart from orders where the fabric has to be specially shipped in, most Samui made-to-measure garments are ready for final fittings inside three days at the most. Some dressmakers and tailors can finish a product within hours.
Tips for Samui tailors
People planning to visit the island and take advantage of the opportunity of having clothing made might want to bring a photograph or pattern to ensure the final product matches their idea. This is particularly important if customers require something similar to their favourite celebrity’s outfit. More on Samui markets.
To avoid an unpleasant surprise when picking up the finished product, people ordering bespoke articles need to ensure that the tailor understands exactly what is required. Most of the tailors speak good English, with some even speaking German, French, Spanish, Japanese and Chinese, so this is not usually a problem.
Tailors often require a deposit against the full purchase price. Details of any money deposited as well as the total cost and order details should be included on the purchase invoice. When picking up finished products it is best to try them on in the shop. It is easier to amend sizes and fix problems here than after returning home. All alterations are usually done on the spot with no extra charge.
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