Advertisement
Published: January 29th 2007
Edit Blog Post
Fabric
A (very small) example of the fabric on offer. They had pretty well everything - fine wool and cottons, colourful local silks, stretchy stuff, denim, anything..! Tom speaking (typing this up in our hotel room in Hanoi where we've just arrived at 7am - Bry having a kip!): A not too unpleasant overnight on the train from Nha Trang got us into Da Nang early in the morning from where it was a half hour cab to Hoi An, a charming old fishing port just inland on the river; long since disused as a fishing port due to river silting up but retains olde worlde feel due to UNESCO world heritage status, protecting the old town part from yukky developments.
So, as you may be aware, this is the part of our journey that Bry has been particularly been looking forward to, as this place as gained a reputation in recent years for quality tailoring at bargain prices. I had been doing a bit of research before we left as to where was good for the posh stuff (suits, shirts, etc.), as there are probably over a hundred tailors here how do you choose one over the other? Anyway we headed to Thu Thuy - it quickly became apparent that it was a cut above most of the others - a huge selection of fabrics and
Bry getting fitted
Actually when you're getting that much stuff made it gets pretty tiring on your feet for so many hours while they beaver away with the needle and thread attentive service. So, a couple of hours later and the shopping list consisted of 3 suits and 10 shirts for me and 32 (yes 32) assorted suits, trousers, dresses and shirts for Bry (she's been saving up for this didn't you guess!). I paid what is relatively top dollar here for two of my suits because they're really nice Italian cashmere - even a peasant like me can tell the difference!
So, next day back for first fitting. My suit shirts spot on first time but the fitted ones and the jackets all needed taking in. Bry had a bit of a scare - the dresses all looked like maternity dresses and the trousers were somewhat baggy, but we were planning to stay here until everything was perfect and that we did! Two days and a few more fitting sessions later, everything was spot on. Fair play to all the staff there - there was definitely no 'conveyor belt' mentality, and they were happy to keep making adjustments until we were happy. One of Bry's skirts had a wiggly seem where it had been sewn together sloppily - the tailor fitting Bry was on the phone to the machinist
giving him a right bollocking and he had to remove a whole panel and remake it (and it was really posh fabric).
We visited a few other shops for casual stuff - dresses, shorts, skirts, casual jacket for me, and 10 pairs of shoes between us (averaged out at 15 quid a pair!).
The hotel gave us free bikes to get around on which was great fun (even though they were 21 speed mountain bikes with only about 3 working gears!).
Wandering round the town was great; it seemed peaceful even in the 'busy' time of day when there were day tours of fat Americans wondering around. Lots of great eateries (quite a bit of French influence here), and art shops - we picked up some great canvases which are on the slow boat home inside a piece of plastic down pipe!
Top tips for buying from tailors in Hoi An Bry speaking: Ok, so I got 33 items from one place and a few other bits n' pieces from about 5 tailors in all... and here's my advice for buying from tailors in Hoi An...
*
Choose the right tailor: Busy busy
The girls all working on alterations to Bry's stuff. They had a really good camaraderie - always chattering away to each other and laughing. Listening to the women speak is lovely - it's a very 'sing song', chirpy language. I have absolutely no qualms in highly recommending Thu Thuy (60 Le Loi St)
tell them Bryony & Tom who came in on 24.01.07 recommended you, they might remember us! *
Bring pictures or examples: These guys are masters of imitation. I fully recommend going to asos.com if you fancy copying some celeb style. For a favourite item, bring it with you or take photos of yourself in it from all angles.
*
Get your colours done: With a huge thanks to Judy (my mother in law) I had my colours done by 'House of Colour'... this basically means that you leave with a swatch pack of all the colours that suit your skin tone, etc. They also do style days if you're unsure of what suits you.
*
Go for more expensive fabrics: Go for the best fabric and lining you can afford, the difference is worth it.
*
Give yourself plenty of time: I'd say that if you're serious about having stuff tailored leave at least 4 days for Hoi An. In total I spent well over 20 hours being fitted.
*
Don't be shy: If
you don't like it, say so! Any slight niggle you have with the line, the way in sits, how tight, loose, it is... tell them... they are magicians and it will be made perfect if you just ask. The number of people I saw come in, try on and simply say 'yeah, that's fine' and then leave amazed me... what's the point in having something tailored if you don't have it tailored... if you see my point.
*
Spend in one place: If you are planning to get a lot done, have it done in one place. At the end they are likely to chuck in a load of freebies, I was given a free shirt, two silk scarves, waived 3%!c(MISSING)redit card commission, waived VAT on the postage and Tom had his pick of four free ties
(and oodles of tea and Tom even had a a spicy pork salad baguette and free use on internet whilst waiting for me) *
Get them to post it for you: They can sort out the postage for you... saves all the packing and serious paperwork. The price was the same as the post office and it
took all the hassle out of it. We even gave them the other things we'd bought to post along with it.
*
Casual stuff, go cheaper: For simple beachwear, etc. we went for a couple of cheaper places... Thinh Thanh 53 Le Loi and Thien Thanh 66 Le Loi and a couple of others that had some bits that caught my eye. For these it was about who had the patterns I liked, because I think they all use a bank of the same tailors anyway.
*
Keep a little cash back for a tip: At Thu Thuy they get paid monthly and don't work on commission, which means that they're not pushy and even double checked that we wanted the expensive fabrics when we chose it making sure we knew the price.
*
Wiggle your toes: Standing for hours whilst they pin and stitch is great for getting varicose veins and blood clots, I nearly fainted once. I suggest a good breakfast, plenty of water, toe wiggling and taking seat every hour or so!
*
Go whilst the pound is strong The pound to USD $ rate at the moment is particularly favourable...
Thank you flowers
Although we gave a tip, we thought flowers would be a more original way to say thank you. so now is the moment.
(Naturally my environmental concerns do somewhat niggle at recommending coming here simply to get clothes made.. but as part of a longer trip, it's a must if you're in the region!) I think that's it on top tips, if you're planning to get a load made do feel free to email any questions I've not answered.
Fingers crossed it makes it home intact... will keep you posted.
Advertisement
Tot: 0.213s; Tpl: 0.016s; cc: 13; qc: 70; dbt: 0.0605s; 1; m:domysql w:travelblog (10.17.0.13); sld: 1;
; mem: 1.2mb
Judy
non-member comment
wow!
Glad that having your colours done Bry has helped you narrow down what sounds like a fantastic choice - you should now be the best dressed chick on the block!