Travel & Tailoring

Bangkok Tailors: Complete Guide for First-Timers

5 min read
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Bangkok has been a world-class tailoring destination for over 70 years. The craftsmanship here rivals Savile Row—at a fraction of the price.

When US military personnel stationed in Southeast Asia needed dress uniforms in the 1960s, Thai tailors learned Western cutting techniques and combined them with Asian precision. That heritage lives on today.

Bangkok now sits alongside Hong Kong and Singapore as a global custom tailoring hub. Master craftsmen here have spent decades perfecting their skills. The fabric access rivals anywhere in the world. And the economics make quality accessible to everyone.

This guide helps you make the most of it.


Why Bangkok for Tailoring?

The value proposition is simple:

Cost Factor Bangkok London/NYC
Master tailor labor $150-250 $600-1,200
Premium fabric access Italian mills Same Italian mills
Final suit price $500-900 $2,500-5,000

Bangkok tailors source from the same suppliers as Savile Row: Loro Piana, Vitale Barberis Canonico, Drago, Scabal. The skills are comparable. The cost of living creates the price difference.

The result: A suit that would cost $3,000+ in London can be made in Bangkok for $600-900 with comparable quality.


Excellent Bangkok Tailors to Consider

Here are established shops with strong reputations. We're listing competitors because genuinely good options exist throughout Bangkok—and you should know about them.

Sukhumvit Area

Raja's Fashions (Sukhumvit Soi 4)
- Family-run since 1978, now in second generation
- Strong expat and returning client base
- Known for consistency and reliability
- Contemporary and traditional styles
- Price range: $400-800

Narry Tailors (Sukhumvit Soi 8)
- Decades of experience with international clients
- Good fabric selection, reasonable prices
- Solid mid-range option
- Price range: $350-700

Rajawongse Clothier (Sukhumvit)
- Premium positioning, excellent fabric library
- Known for attention to detail
- Higher price point, higher quality
- Price range: $600-1,200

Silom Area

Pinky Tailor (Silom/Surawong)
- Long-established reputation
- Traditional business wear specialist
- Consistent quality over decades
- Price range: $400-800

Our Service

LinenSuit.shop (Hotel-based)
- Private fittings in your hotel room
- European fabrics (CAVANI, DRAGO, VBC)
- Draft fitting included (test garment before final)
- 5-8 day turnaround
- Price range: $590-800

Learn about our Bangkok Hotel Service →


Real Prices in 2025

Suit Pricing by Quality Level

Level Price (USD) What You Get
Entry $200-350 Basic wool blends, fused construction, 1-2 fittings
Mid-Range $350-600 Quality wool, half-canvas, 2-3 fittings
Premium $600-1,000 Premium fabrics, full canvas, 3+ fittings
Luxury $1,000-2,000 Top-tier mills, full bespoke, master tailor

Construction Methods Explained

Type What It Means Best For
Fused Interlining glued to fabric Budget suits, occasional wear
Half-canvas Canvas in chest/lapels, fused elsewhere Daily wear, best value
Full canvas Canvas throughout, hand-shaped Investment pieces, decades of wear

Other Items

Item Price Range
Extra trousers $85-170
Dress shirt $30-85
Waistcoat $70-140
Overcoat $420-1,000

How Much Time Do You Need?

Quality tailoring requires pattern drafting, cutting, fitting, adjustments, and final construction.

Recommended Timeline

Quality Days Needed Fittings
Good 4-5 days 2-3
Excellent 6-8 days 3+

Sample 5-Day Schedule

Day 1: Consultation, fabric selection, measurements, deposit (50%)
Day 2: Pattern drafting and construction begins
Day 3: First fitting—basted garment, mark adjustments
Day 4: Second fitting—refined garment, final tweaks
Day 5: Pickup—try on, pay balance, collect

Short on Time?

  • Get measured in Bangkok, have the suit shipped home
  • Focus on shirts (2-day turnaround works)
  • Contact a tailor before arrival to start the process early

Bangkok Tailoring Areas

Sukhumvit Road

The most developed tailoring corridor. International clients, contemporary styles, premium fabric access. Excellent BTS Skytrain connections.

Best streets: Soi 4, Soi 8, Soi 11

Character: Modern, sophisticated, experienced with Western preferences


Silom District

Traditional commercial heart. Tailoring established here for generations. Classic business wear focus.

Access: BTS Sala Daeng station

Character: Traditional, consistent, deep expertise


Khao San Road

Budget-friendly options in the backpacker district. Lower prices, more variable quality.

Best for: Experimentation, budget shirts, casual pieces


Tips for First-Timers

Start with One Piece

Order a single suit or a couple of shirts. See how they turn out. Return for more if you're satisfied.

You're building a relationship with a craftsman, not just buying a product.

Attend Every Fitting

Fittings are where the magic happens. The tailor sees how fabric drapes on your body and makes adjustments.

At each fitting:
- Move naturally—sit, raise arms, turn
- Be specific: "This pulls here" is better than "something feels off"
- Ask questions—good tailors appreciate engaged clients

Bring Reference Photos

Show styles you like: lapel width, pocket style, trouser fit. Visual references prevent misunderstandings.

Bring the Right Shoes

Trouser length depends on heel height. Wear the shoes you'll pair with the suit.

Set Your Budget Early

Know your range before walking in. Communicate it clearly. This helps the tailor recommend appropriate fabrics and saves everyone's time.


Questions to Ask Your Tailor

Good conversations lead to good suits.

About fabric:
- "What mill is this from?"
- "What's the composition—pure wool or blend?"
- "What weight is this?" (240-280gsm for summer, 280-340gsm for year-round)

About construction:
- "Is this fused, half-canvas, or full canvas?"
- "Will the buttonholes be hand-finished?"

About process:
- "How many fittings do you recommend?"
- "What's your ideal timeline for quality work?"

Quality tailors enjoy these conversations. It shows you care about the craft.


What to Expect at Your Fitting

First Fitting (Day 3)

You'll try on a "basted" garment—loosely assembled, not yet finished. The tailor checks:
- Shoulder positioning
- Chest drape
- Back fit
- Sleeve length and angle

Adjustments are marked with chalk or pins.

Second Fitting (Day 4-5)

The suit is more refined. Fine-tuning:
- Collar sit
- Button positioning
- Trouser break
- Overall balance

Final Pickup

Everything should feel right. Try it on completely:
- Sit down, stand up, raise arms
- Check in natural light
- Inspect buttons, stitching, lining

Most tailors will handle minor adjustments on the spot.


Building a Long-Term Relationship

The best part of Bangkok tailoring? It gets better over time.

After your first suit, your tailor has:
- Your pattern on file
- Notes on your preferences
- Understanding of your style

Future orders are faster, more precise, and often discounted for returning clients.

Many people return trip after trip, building wardrobes over years. The relationship becomes part of the value.


Quick Reference Checklist

Before Your Trip

  • [ ] Research tailors online (reviews from expats are most reliable)
  • [ ] Plan 4-5 days minimum for quality work
  • [ ] Set a realistic budget ($400-700 for quality suits)
  • [ ] Save reference photos of styles you like

First Visit

  • [ ] Browse fabrics, ask about construction
  • [ ] Get measured, discuss preferences
  • [ ] Confirm fitting schedule and price
  • [ ] Pay deposit (typically 50%)

During Fittings

  • [ ] Attend all scheduled fittings
  • [ ] Move, sit, test the fit actively
  • [ ] Be specific about adjustments
  • [ ] Check in natural light

Pickup

  • [ ] Try everything on carefully
  • [ ] Inspect details before paying balance
  • [ ] Get care instructions
  • [ ] Exchange contact info for future orders

Our Bangkok Service

We offer hotel-based tailoring for clients who prefer private fittings.

What's included:
- Consultation in your hotel room
- European fabrics (CAVANI, DRAGO, VBC, John & Taylor)
- Draft fitting (test garment before final fabric is cut)
- 5-8 day turnaround
- $590-800 depending on fabric

Best for: Business travelers, those who prefer privacy, clients who want the draft fitting process.

Learn About Bangkok Hotel Service →


The Bottom Line

Bangkok tailoring is excellent. The city has master craftsmen, world-class fabric access, and prices that make quality accessible.

Your job is simple:
1. Choose a reputable tailor (several good options exist)
2. Allow enough time (minimum 4-5 days)
3. Attend your fittings
4. Communicate clearly

Do that, and you'll leave with something special—a garment made for your body, by skilled hands, at a price that makes sense.


Related Reading


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