First off, it really doesn't matter which tailor shop you go to. They are all basically the same and all they do is measure you and send the order to a sweat shop. I consider them measurers and not tailors.



The ones that I avoid are the ones on the street with their little book of samples wanting to meet and greet me. I avoid them like the plague and consider them total nuisances.

I will find one on my own and look at the quality of the material on display. Then I get a rough idea of the prices. Of course, for better material you can expect to pay more.

Here is how I do my tailor-made clothes shopping;

- I only buy when I am going to get a small quantity - like 6 pair of slacks and a dozen shirts. I don't buy suits because I live in Hawaii and slacks and dress shirts are acceptable.

- I visit the "tailor" at the beginning of my vacation. I want to make sure that neither of us is rushed.

- I tell the guy that I plan to buy 6 pair of slacks and 12 shirts, but he has to make one set for inspection first. Then if acceptable, he can do the rest.

- I also tell him that I am a lazy, single man and want everything to be wash and wear. I refuse to iron clothes.

- I insist on three fittings. And I am specific on the cut, cuffs or not, a longer zipper than the Thai's normally put on slacks, and an inner liner to the knees.

- For the shirts, I have the female in the store pick out colors and patterns that match. I have a hard time visualizing when the material is still just material. I have her pick material for two shirts for every pair of slacks.

- I also select which shirts I want a longer tail on. These are the ones that will get tucked in. I want some of the shirts to have a flat cut on the bottom to wear outside of the slacks.

- I tell them not to put any stiff inserts into the collars. They will say that it will soften after a few washings. Don't believe it. I tell them that if there is anything in the collar, I will cancel the order.

- Since I am older and getting fatter, I also have them toss in a bit of elastic in the waistband in case I gain a pound or three.

- I pay a minimum deposit once I have seen the first set completed and will pay in full when all is done. I give them a drop-dead date about 3 days before I depart to allow time for any mistakes.

- Once the "tailor' has my order complete, I take the time to over every piece of clothing with a fine tooth comb. I check every stitch and ensure that there are no mistakes. I try on every piece of clothing to make sure they fit.

- On occasion, I have even brought in a pair of slacks that I already own that fit me like a glove, and tell them to just make 6 more exactly the same.

You can get some good deals on tailor-made clothes in Thailand if you plan it out and do it properly. Don't rush and don't get talked into more expensive material than you really need.