Asia · Clothing · Regions · Travel Equipment · Vietnam
5 top tips for getting tailor-made clothes in Hoi An, Vietnam
Still waters, saffron-coloured buildings and streets untouched by the modern world; no trip to Vietnam is complete without a few days in the beautiful town of Hoi An.
Nearly as famous as its well-preserved old quarter is a reputation for top-quality tailors. It’s impossible to amble down narrow roads without spotting countless shops with jumbo rolls of material, and busy shopkeepers armed with tape measures. Whether it’s a slick suit, evening gown, strappy sandals or a trusty leather jacket you’re after, the tailors here can turn around items around in a few days or in some cases, just a few hours.
Most tailors can also package your item up and send it home for a small additional cost, leaving space in your suitcase for other souvenirs! It is definitely worth bearing a few things in mind before setting off to get the best out of your experience.
Know what you want
Rhinestone-covered trainers? Cape-backed suit? Sky-blue leather trousers? Whatever your dream piece, it can be made in Hoi An. Particularly good if, for some unknown reason, you can’t find it on the high street at home.
The choice can be overwhelming, so know what you have in mind before you arrive. Take a photo or a sketch so you don’t fall into the trap of panic buying something that spends its life collecting dust in your wardrobe. Alternatively, pick something off the cuff (pun unintended) from their in-house brochure, or replicate a display item.
Find a trusted shop
With more than 500 tailors in Hoi An, you certainly won’t have to join a queue. But bear in mind that good tailoring takes incredible skill, and not all shops are created equally. Do your research; chat to friends from home, read online reviews and be conscious of horror stories (although few and far between).
More than anything, know that taxi drivers, hotels and even expats may receive a commission for directing you to a certain shop, so it pays to do your research before you go. When choosing, look closely at the quality of previously made pieces – keep an eye on the shoulders of suits, the symmetry when buttons are closed, and straight stitching. Don’t be afraid to speak up if there are any issues with the fit.
Save money
It goes without saying that any tailor will provide you with a made to measure piece, but in Hoi An you will save a pretty penny on that lookalike Saville Row suit. Agree on the price in advance and know what you’re happy to pay; you may be required to make a small deposit, but wait until you receive the items to pay the full balance. Try to negotiate a lower price for multiple pieces.
Fabrics
It’s as though Hoi An tailors spend their days sketching out ideas for material – there isn’t a design they haven’t thought of. Neatly folded piles of material stretch from floor to ceiling, and rolls in every colour, pattern and fabric line the walls.
Take an opportunity to feel the weight, texture and colour against your skin, and consider how it will look on your chosen item. In a reputable shop, the tailors will want to get it just right, and spend time to find the perfect one.
Quick turnaround
Although they can usually turn items around within 24 hours, staying in Hoi An for a few days to get extra fittings is a great way to monitor the quality and make sure it fits just right. Tailoring or not, it would be a shame not to spend longer in this lovely town. If you really can’t spare more time there, head back to the shop in a few hours to see how it’s progressing.
Once you’ve slipped into a tailor-made item, you may want to slink around in it every day, forever.
Alastair Donnelly is Director at InsideAsia Tours.
If you would like to be a guest blogger on A Luxury Travel Blog in order to raise your profile, please contact us.
Nearly as famous as its well-preserved old quarter is a reputation for top-quality tailors. It’s impossible to amble down narrow roads without spotting countless shops with jumbo rolls of material, and busy shopkeepers armed with tape measures. Whether it’s a slick suit, evening gown, strappy sandals or a trusty leather jacket you’re after, the tailors here can turn around items around in a few days or in some cases, just a few hours.
Most tailors can also package your item up and send it home for a small additional cost, leaving space in your suitcase for other souvenirs! It is definitely worth bearing a few things in mind before setting off to get the best out of your experience.
Know what you want
Rhinestone-covered trainers? Cape-backed suit? Sky-blue leather trousers? Whatever your dream piece, it can be made in Hoi An. Particularly good if, for some unknown reason, you can’t find it on the high street at home.
The choice can be overwhelming, so know what you have in mind before you arrive. Take a photo or a sketch so you don’t fall into the trap of panic buying something that spends its life collecting dust in your wardrobe. Alternatively, pick something off the cuff (pun unintended) from their in-house brochure, or replicate a display item.
Find a trusted shop
With more than 500 tailors in Hoi An, you certainly won’t have to join a queue. But bear in mind that good tailoring takes incredible skill, and not all shops are created equally. Do your research; chat to friends from home, read online reviews and be conscious of horror stories (although few and far between).
More than anything, know that taxi drivers, hotels and even expats may receive a commission for directing you to a certain shop, so it pays to do your research before you go. When choosing, look closely at the quality of previously made pieces – keep an eye on the shoulders of suits, the symmetry when buttons are closed, and straight stitching. Don’t be afraid to speak up if there are any issues with the fit.
Save money
It goes without saying that any tailor will provide you with a made to measure piece, but in Hoi An you will save a pretty penny on that lookalike Saville Row suit. Agree on the price in advance and know what you’re happy to pay; you may be required to make a small deposit, but wait until you receive the items to pay the full balance. Try to negotiate a lower price for multiple pieces.
Fabrics
It’s as though Hoi An tailors spend their days sketching out ideas for material – there isn’t a design they haven’t thought of. Neatly folded piles of material stretch from floor to ceiling, and rolls in every colour, pattern and fabric line the walls.
Take an opportunity to feel the weight, texture and colour against your skin, and consider how it will look on your chosen item. In a reputable shop, the tailors will want to get it just right, and spend time to find the perfect one.
Quick turnaround
Although they can usually turn items around within 24 hours, staying in Hoi An for a few days to get extra fittings is a great way to monitor the quality and make sure it fits just right. Tailoring or not, it would be a shame not to spend longer in this lovely town. If you really can’t spare more time there, head back to the shop in a few hours to see how it’s progressing.
Once you’ve slipped into a tailor-made item, you may want to slink around in it every day, forever.
Alastair Donnelly is Director at InsideAsia Tours.
If you would like to be a guest blogger on A Luxury Travel Blog in order to raise your profile, please contact us.
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Excellent use of colour in these photographs, it really conjures up the image of a vibrant culture. I would love to get some tailored clothes in Vietnam. I have had them made in Hong Kong before, but never considered Vietnam as an option. 500 tailors is an incredible amount to wade through, but I will do some research on some well reviewed options.
It is recommended to stay 3 nights in Hoian. You had better to do the tailoring at the first night. The day after, you will come back to fit and if there is something seriously wrong they can fix that within 24 hours. So, you can take your clothes the night before you leave. This makes the experience not so rush.
Most of the case the clothes are great made at the first fitting, but who knows some small mistake can happen at your case.
Enjoy your tailoring experience in Hoian!
How wonderful and what a great idea! I am a dress every day kind of women and am loving the bold prints of the material in the photographs. I would be tempted to visit a tailor and get several done in the same design but different patterns. We hope to visit Hoi An in the next couple of years so will take the advice of the commenter above and get to the tailor on the first day.
“Streets untouched by the modern world” sounds so appealing to me. I’ve always been so attracted to Vietnam, all these photos make me want to go even more. I’d love to have a sunny day strolling down these lovely independent shops. It would be something to treasure forever if I received a tailor-made item from here!
I have never had anything tailor made before but I would love to be able to choose my own fabrics to make a beautiful dress and with such a wide choice of fabric that would be a hard choice. I do agree though you have to know exactly what you want.
I love Hoi An its such a beautiful place, I love the lanterns everywhere. Its such a brilliant location for tailor made clothing. If visiting Vietnam and you need new clothes made this place is definitely worth visiting! I hope to go back in a few years. The clothes are very affordable and you can get exactly what you want. They also make the clothes very fast if if you don’t have much time there.
I have spent a couple of days in Hoi An and it was amazing. I and my friends stayed in a homestay and the host treated us very very nice. We had enjoyed the food especially “ban mi Phuong” so much and get very beautiful tailor-made clothes. The trip was unbelievable and we definitely come back soon!!!