How to choose a tailor in Hong Kong

Quick checklist

• Will you get your own pattern?
• Who measures you, and who fits you?
• Is there a fitting before the suit is finished?
• How many days do you actually need?
• Is the price clear, in HKD, before anything is cut?
• Can you see and handle the actual cloth?
• Are the reviews independent?
• Can you reorder once you are home?

1. Your own pattern or a stock block?

This question tells you the most. A bespoke suit starts from a pattern cut from your own measurements and posture. Ask: "Will you cut a pattern just for me, and will you keep it?" A tailor who keeps your pattern on file can make your next suit without starting again. At Rashmi every client gets their own pattern, and we keep it on file for reorders.

2. Who measures you, and who fits you?

Ask who takes your measurements and who will do your fitting, and whether it is the same person. Continuity matters, because the person who measured you knows what they were aiming for. At our shop Larry meets, measures and fits every client himself.

3. Insist on a fitting before it is finished

A suit should be tried on you before it is finished, so the shoulders, chest, waist and sleeve length can be corrected. Be wary of any offer to "just collect it". Check these at the fitting:

• The shoulders sit flat, with no dents or overhang.
• The collar stays on your shirt collar when you move your arms.
• About a centimetre of shirt cuff shows at the sleeve.
• The trousers fall cleanly onto your shoes.
• You can sit, reach and climb stairs comfortably.

4. How many days you really need

Hong Kong is known for quick tailoring, but quick only works if you allow time for a fitting. With us, men's suits take 24–48 hours and women's suits at least 3 days. Book before you fly, come in on your first or second day, and never leave the first appointment until your last afternoon. Shirts can be added to the same visit. More: how long a custom suit takes in Hong Kong.

5. Tailor prices in Hong Kong: what to ask

Prices vary a lot from shop to shop. Ask:

• What is the starting price, in HKD, and which cloth does it cover?
• Which fabrics are extra, and by how much?
• Is the fitting included? Are later adjustments included?
• What does shipping home cost, if you need it?

Get the total before anything is cut. For reference, our bespoke suits start from HKD 3,500 and shirts from HKD 580, and premium fabrics such as Zegna and Loro Piana are priced separately. Larry goes through the options at your consultation. Full price details: custom suits in Hong Kong.

6. Fabric: see and touch the real cloth

Ask to handle the actual bunch or bolt, and ask which mill made it. Think about where you will wear the suit. Hong Kong summers call for lighter wools and wool-linen, but if you are flying home to a winter you need a heavier cloth. We stock about 2,000 fabrics, including cloth from Ermenegildo Zegna, Loro Piana, Dormeuil, Scabal and Holland & Sherry. See fabrics for Hong Kong's climate.

7. Reviews you can trust

Read independent reviews, not just the quotes on a shop's own website. Look for:

• A long history of reviews, not a sudden burst.
• Reviewers who describe the fit and the fittings, not only the price.
• How the shop handled a problem, if anyone mentions one.

Rashmi is rated 4.9 on Tripadvisor, with more than 300 reviews.

8. Avoid pressure on the street

A good tailor will not need someone handing out flyers on the pavement to bring you in. Book by appointment, take your time choosing cloth, and walk away from any deal that asks for a decision on the spot.

9. Can you reorder after you go home?

Ask whether the shop keeps your pattern and how reorders work from abroad. We keep every client's pattern on file. You can reorder from home, and our US clients can be fitted again when our traveling tailor visits their city.

Tailors in Tsim Sha Tsui: getting around

Tsim Sha Tsui (TST), on the Kowloon side, has one of Hong Kong's biggest clusters of tailors, many of them in arcades and upper floors along Nathan Road. That makes it easy to compare shops in one afternoon. Some practical tips:

• Many of the best workrooms are upstairs, with no shop window, so book ahead and ask for exact directions (floor, block and suite).
• Use the MTR, because taxis on Nathan Road crawl at rush hour.
• Bring a shirt and the shoes you will wear with the suit. See what to bring to your tailor appointment.

Finding Rashmi: Suite A3, 12th Floor, Block A, Burlington Arcade, 90–94 Nathan Road. From TST MTR, leave by Exit B1 and turn right onto Nathan Road; it is about a two-minute walk. Walk all the way into the arcade, turn left, and take the Block A lifts. We are open Monday–Saturday 9:00am–8:00pm and Sunday and public holidays 10:00am–6:00pm, by appointment only. Step-by-step directions with photos: visit our Nathan Road shop.

Getting married in Hong Kong?

Wedding suits and tuxedos need a little more planning. See our guide to tuxedos and wedding suits in Hong Kong.

FAQ

How do I find the best tailor in Hong Kong?

Ignore the lists and ask each shop the same questions. Will you get your own pattern? Who measures and fits you? Is there a fitting before the suit is finished? Is the price clear in HKD before cutting? Are the reviews independent? The tailor with good answers to all of these is the best one for you.

How much does a tailor-made suit cost in Hong Kong?

It depends on the shop and the cloth. At Rashmi bespoke suits start from HKD 3,500 and shirts from HKD 580. Premium fabrics are priced separately and quoted at your consultation.

How long does a Hong Kong tailor take to make a suit?

With us, men's suits take 24–48 hours including a fitting, and women's suits at least 3 days. Book your first appointment early in your trip.

Do I need an appointment?

At Rashmi, yes. All visits are by appointment so Larry can give you his full attention. WhatsApp or call +852 9745 7058 with your travel dates.

Can a Hong Kong tailor ship my suit home?

We ship to all countries by FedEx, UPS or DHL, with customs cleared. Delivery takes longer around Chinese New Year.

Planning a trip to Hong Kong?

Send us your travel dates and what you would like made, and we will reply to confirm a time. WhatsApp +852 9745 7058 · Plan your visit