Tailoring for "Real" Dummies

Hopefully our May 2011 issue, “Bespeak for Yourself,” already got you hooked onto tailoring. Our goal at the time was to demystify the process, from measuring up to final fitting, plus provide all the essential phrases you’d need to properly convey your vision to a Chinese tailor. It was intended as a comprehensive tailoring guide for dummies.

Some of you still need more convincing. For the very lazy, the bigger skeptics or simply the ones who simply lack all confidence in their Chinese language skills, look no further than Indochino.com, a Vancouver-based web company that makes custom-fit clothing for a fraction of Western prices.

The secret? They outsource all their work to Shanghai. It might seem silly to order a bespoke suit from a Chinese tailor online while you are, um, living in China, but don’t knock it till you’ve tried it. Indochino is highly raved about on the Internet (see the following articles written on Slate.com and Guyism.com) based on its easy-to-use website, vast selection and advanced measurement wizard.

Shirts start at RMB 520, which is more expensive than what we found at our local Beijing tailors. (We have paid anywhere from RMB 80 at Tailor He to RMB 200 at D&J Fine Tailoring.) Suits, however, start at RMB 2,420 (two-piece) and RMB 2,870 (three-piece) – reasonably close to what rates we have encountered in the past.

There are still some complaints, of course. Even while reviewer Gabe Alonso wrote that Indochino “stayed true to their word,” he also admitted he will need to make some alterations regardless.

“I realize now that it’s my fault because I chose the wrong measurement for my chest in the options on the site,” he said.

Yep. As our May Cover Feature Q&As with tailors revealed, oftentimes the client doesn’t always know what’s best. This is the part you miss out on when you skip that face-to-face meeting.

Basically, Indochino offers the rare option of getting bespoke suits at Chinese prices (mainly) without ever having to interact with a Chinese person. If anything, you can try it out to get yourself better acquainted with your custom-made clothing options.

Good luck. Feel free to share your experiences here.

Photos: Judy Zhou, Guyism.com