A tailor in Melbourne (or Sydney)
#1
Thread Starter
Lost in BE Cyberspace










Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 16,623
From: Hill overlooking the SE Melbourne suburbs











OK suits. Where do people get them from?
Doesn't have to be bespoke - but made to measure and/or a fitted cut is the go.
In London, in times past, you could pay considerably less than designer prices and end up with a good suit that did not make you look like a footballer or a spiv. 15-20 years ago you could do it for 400 pounds - this has risen, naturally.
I know of some good tailor(s) here but they charge liked a wounded bull and you don't get much change from 2-3k which is too much even allowing for inflation.
I went to David Jones the other day (to get an idea) and their suits at $600-1000 were tat. Wool yes, but shiny with little lustre, if smart and reasonably well made. Where are the 12oz Herringbones, the chalk-stripes..
Anyone gone to Asia in recent years. I know people used to but the decline seems to have set in.
So, any shops in the mid-range offering decent cloths?
Cheers
Doesn't have to be bespoke - but made to measure and/or a fitted cut is the go.
In London, in times past, you could pay considerably less than designer prices and end up with a good suit that did not make you look like a footballer or a spiv. 15-20 years ago you could do it for 400 pounds - this has risen, naturally.
I know of some good tailor(s) here but they charge liked a wounded bull and you don't get much change from 2-3k which is too much even allowing for inflation.
I went to David Jones the other day (to get an idea) and their suits at $600-1000 were tat. Wool yes, but shiny with little lustre, if smart and reasonably well made. Where are the 12oz Herringbones, the chalk-stripes..
Anyone gone to Asia in recent years. I know people used to but the decline seems to have set in.
So, any shops in the mid-range offering decent cloths?
Cheers
#3
BE Forum Addict







Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 2,442
From: Melbourne











OK suits. Where do people get them from?
Doesn't have to be bespoke - but made to measure and/or a fitted cut is the go.
In London, in times past, you could pay considerably less than designer prices and end up with a good suit that did not make you look like a footballer or a spiv. 15-20 years ago you could do it for 400 pounds - this has risen, naturally.
I know of some good tailor(s) here but they charge liked a wounded bull and you don't get much change from 2-3k which is too much even allowing for inflation.
I went to David Jones the other day (to get an idea) and their suits at $600-1000 were tat. Wool yes, but shiny with little lustre, if smart and reasonably well made. Where are the 12oz Herringbones, the chalk-stripes..
Anyone gone to Asia in recent years. I know people used to but the decline seems to have set in.
So, any shops in the mid-range offering decent cloths?
Cheers
Doesn't have to be bespoke - but made to measure and/or a fitted cut is the go.
In London, in times past, you could pay considerably less than designer prices and end up with a good suit that did not make you look like a footballer or a spiv. 15-20 years ago you could do it for 400 pounds - this has risen, naturally.
I know of some good tailor(s) here but they charge liked a wounded bull and you don't get much change from 2-3k which is too much even allowing for inflation.
I went to David Jones the other day (to get an idea) and their suits at $600-1000 were tat. Wool yes, but shiny with little lustre, if smart and reasonably well made. Where are the 12oz Herringbones, the chalk-stripes..
Anyone gone to Asia in recent years. I know people used to but the decline seems to have set in.
So, any shops in the mid-range offering decent cloths?
Cheers
I think you will either have to a) pay through the nose or b) buy off the rack and then get tailored.
If you are going to buy off the rack, go to Cavalier Menswear in Camberwell.
Alternatively, if you definitely want bespoke, a long weekend in Hong Kong or Singapore is the go. You could get three bespoke suits for the price of one off the rack in Oz.
#4
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Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 2,442
From: Melbourne











#5










Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 9,668

That's right, they do cost money. *gasp*
Depends whether you purchase one of those and wear it for the rest of your life, or three from DJ's and wear them for 5 years.
You get what you pay for. Cutler have many clients and they're not all rolling in it.
Depends whether you purchase one of those and wear it for the rest of your life, or three from DJ's and wear them for 5 years.
You get what you pay for. Cutler have many clients and they're not all rolling in it.
#6
Thread Starter
Lost in BE Cyberspace










Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 16,623
From: Hill overlooking the SE Melbourne suburbs











I got the impression that Singapore and HK have gone down hill. To be fair, so has London. I got a sports jacket made in the mid 90s from a place which is now making lines for chavs.
#7
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From: Melbourne











I'd opt for Hong Kong where you can get three bespoke suits and a holiday to boot all for less than the price of one Cutler suit.
#8
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Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 2,442
From: Melbourne











My current suits are c. 18 and 13 years old and still look new and are timeless. I don't mind spending a bit of money - I just know I don't have to pay top dollar and/or go for 'designer'.
I got the impression that Singapore and HK have gone down hill. To be fair, so has London. I got a sports jacket made in the mid 90s from a place which is now making lines for chavs.
I got the impression that Singapore and HK have gone down hill. To be fair, so has London. I got a sports jacket made in the mid 90s from a place which is now making lines for chavs.
#9
Auntie Fa










Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 7,344
From: Seattle











Go to Asia and expect a decent suit in 24 hours, you'll be disappointed. Go to Asia, ignore the salesmen (they're not tailors) dragging you in off the street, go to somewhere you've been personally recommended, pay a decent amount for a decent suit, and you'll be right.
#10
Thread Starter
Lost in BE Cyberspace










Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 16,623
From: Hill overlooking the SE Melbourne suburbs











Even with bespoke suits you wouldn't wear it for the rest of your life. Cuts change, fabric wears (especially trousers) and a 20 year old suit looks like a 20 year old suit (bespoke or not).
I'd opt for Hong Kong where you can get three bespoke suits and a holiday to boot all for less than the price of one Cutler suit.
I'd opt for Hong Kong where you can get three bespoke suits and a holiday to boot all for less than the price of one Cutler suit.
I cringe when I see gents in 3 button non-vented shiny suits which has been around since the late 90s. I'm glad I don't have to interview them. I'm not so adverse to the Mad Men look which is at least a sort of 60s revival.
Another thing I might do is buy off the peg in a sale from an online London shop and get them nipped in at the waist and have to wear the quality that arrives...get it...
#11
Thread Starter
Lost in BE Cyberspace










Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 16,623
From: Hill overlooking the SE Melbourne suburbs











Go to Asia and expect a decent suit in 24 hours, you'll be disappointed. Go to Asia, ignore the salesmen (they're not tailors) dragging you in off the street, go to somewhere you've been personally recommended, pay a decent amount for a decent suit, and you'll be right.
#12
Auntie Fa










Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 7,344
From: Seattle











Recent recommendations from friends:
Joe's Tailor, Golden Shoe Complex
Justmens, Tanglin Shopping Centre (not Tanglin MALL, that gets a lot of people)
Sure there's one at Raffles Hotel but not called Raffles - I'll see if I can find that out and get back to you.
Names in the depths of my memory - Mohan's, Maharajas.
You should post in the FE forums. ex-reg has been in Singapore many years so should have some good recs.
Joe's Tailor, Golden Shoe Complex
Justmens, Tanglin Shopping Centre (not Tanglin MALL, that gets a lot of people)
Sure there's one at Raffles Hotel but not called Raffles - I'll see if I can find that out and get back to you.
Names in the depths of my memory - Mohan's, Maharajas.
You should post in the FE forums. ex-reg has been in Singapore many years so should have some good recs.
#13
Auntie Fa










Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 7,344
From: Seattle











This guy makes very funky shirts, might be a bit too spivvy for you
Certainly brightens up a very grey Singapore CBD.
http://www.victoryork.com/index.html
Certainly brightens up a very grey Singapore CBD.http://www.victoryork.com/index.html
#14
Thread Starter
Lost in BE Cyberspace










Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 16,623
From: Hill overlooking the SE Melbourne suburbs











Recent recommendations from friends:
Joe's Tailor, Golden Shoe Complex
Justmens, Tanglin Shopping Centre (not Tanglin MALL, that gets a lot of people)
Sure there's one at Raffles Hotel but not called Raffles - I'll see if I can find that out and get back to you.
Names in the depths of my memory - Mohan's, Maharajas.
You should post in the FE forums. ex-reg has been in Singapore many years so should have some good recs.
Joe's Tailor, Golden Shoe Complex
Justmens, Tanglin Shopping Centre (not Tanglin MALL, that gets a lot of people)
Sure there's one at Raffles Hotel but not called Raffles - I'll see if I can find that out and get back to you.
Names in the depths of my memory - Mohan's, Maharajas.
You should post in the FE forums. ex-reg has been in Singapore many years so should have some good recs.
This guy makes very funky shirts, might be a bit too spivvy for you
Certainly brightens up a very grey Singapore CBD.
http://www.victoryork.com/index.html
Certainly brightens up a very grey Singapore CBD.http://www.victoryork.com/index.html
#15










Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 9,668

Disagree on the cut. I go for looks which are timeless. Single-breasted, English, double vents. Fitted at the waist. Fabric wears, yes, but I don't wear them every day.
I cringe when I see gents in 3 button non-vented shiny suits which has been around since the late 90s. I'm glad I don't have to interview them. I'm not so adverse to the Mad Men look which is at least a sort of 60s revival.
I cringe when I see gents in 3 button non-vented shiny suits which has been around since the late 90s. I'm glad I don't have to interview them. I'm not so adverse to the Mad Men look which is at least a sort of 60s revival.
I agree. Classic is classic. It doesn't age.
Mad Men goes from 50s to 60s.. Don Draper looks amazing in both. Bit 50's + revival in Aus, which is FAB!
I'd rather have a Chanel suit from the 60's, than anything made today. And I'd be happy to pay for that tailoring.
I added Cutler for fun, but like I said, I think you get what you pay for, regardless of country.



