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Finding a tailor to make you a custom suit in Beijing can be a bit tricky if you don't know where you are looking in this vast metropolis. This can be particularly challenging if you have 'Western' measurements so can't buy off the shelf. The best place to go is Gong Ti Bei Lu market right by 'Workers' Stadium'. There you will be able to find various stores catering for your needs. Expect to pay around USD100 a suit.
Ask your hotel to write the address in Chinese - otherwise your taxi driver won't find it!
Narry and Aron (father and son) cannot be beaten. They are truly amazing. Especially Narry with his butter soft English and the just mind-numbing ability to remember everyone's name! Having a few suits from them is almost a right of passage for us in the Department of Defense and the protective and investigative services. Walking into their shop is like walking into a museum of US intelligence agencies.
And they make damn fine suits and custom shoes. They even fit them to better conceal whatever weapon you may be carrying.
118 suriwong, near Patpong Street, next to Rose Hotel
0858441307, 022354427
I have been slowly upgrading my wardrobe. I have proceeded cautiously because I know that 90% of the tailors here are ripoffs and most people bought a suit based on the advice of the tout sitting outside the shop or from a Thai airways in-flight magazine ad.
Thankfully, there is an antidote to the Bangkok ripoff tourist tailor. I was recommended this place by an AAAC member. It's far away from the Sukhumvit Road tailors and really a world apart. I imagine this guy could hold his own against the best of the UK or Italy.
This is the tailor shop that the highest echelons of Thai society use.
I had a midnight blue tuxedo made there and it turned out beautifully. I probably broke some rules with the burgundy lining but I couldn't resist
the color when I was given the lining samples.
I had an initial fabric selection and then three fittings as the garments progressed. His fabric selections are limited but are of the highest quality.
A suit from July Tailor will cost 4000 - 12000 baht.
I have always seen another Farang (foreigner) in there. His work is in the upper echelons and his prices are much more reasonable than even the best tourist tailors. That being said, they are still lower than a good canvassed off-the-rack suit in the USA.
118 suriwong/silom road (near rose hotel) patpong street bangkok thailand
saladang station
free pick up 0858441307 022354427
contact:savilerowfashion@gmail.com
Wetsuits for kids in Devon and Cornwall are cheap, they don't need top of the range (usually £35), just get the cheap ones (probably £10 or less). They give them sun protection, keep them warm if they are in and out of the water all day and give a bit of added buoyancy when they are learning to swim.
Get the ones with short arms and legs, you get more use out of them when they are growing fast, but remember to sun cream the lower arms and legs, or do like my kids do and wear a long UV sun suit underneath. Watch out if it's hot, especially if the kids are not going in the water much as they can get very hot with the black neoprene absorbing the heat.
They were the best things we ever bought, my daughter learned to swim in the sea when she was 4 in hers as she felt so confident.
You can buy them in surf shops (expensive), but also in most beach kiosks, bucket and spade shops in town and also in some supermarkets in beach towns. The ones from Decathlon in France are really good, and only 10 Euros.
I found a lovely little clothing and body care shop that sells only fair trade and organic products for all the family. I fell in love with it as I have never been in a shop selling only ethical goods. I didn't even realise at first which really added to the appeal. The staff were really helpful and informative and there wasn't a sign of any unattractive hippy clothing. And apparently they have a fan club that some of their customers have set up on facebook.
They have two shops, in Chorlton, Manchester (15 min bus ride from city centre) and Headingley, Leeds.
www.arkadash.co.uk
eno is a lifestyle brand created in Shanghai. They provide a platform for Chinese artists, musicians and designers to create fresh clothing and lifestyle products. Also consumers can hand in their design and have the chance for them to be sold in the store.
Eno creates limited edition products: t-shirts, hoodies, long sleeves, bags, shoes.
Also very much worth visiting are their two monthly in store events called enoise with chinese and foreign bands performing in a relaxed atmosphere.
139-23 changle road/chengdu bei road
021-63860120
During my stay in Khao San (the main tourist area), I decided to get a formal dress and a jacket suit for work.
Since I was staying at a guesthouse in that area, I went to the Mr. Boss tailor shop next to it.
I was amazed at the variety of materials they had, not only for men, but for women as well. The salesmen there were extremely friendly and not at all pushy like some of the other shops.
Upon entering the shop, I was greeted with smiles and despite my habit of indecisiveness and not being able to choose immediately, they patiently told me to take my time with no obligations.
When I went in the next day, they again greeted me warmly and when I actually got my outfits in 24hrs, I was delighted with the fitting. It was perfect! My friends back here in Singapore adore my outfits, especially since I was given a special 20% discount too!
I highly recommend all my friends to visit Mr. Boss Tailor on your next trip to Bangkok. It was totally worth it!
This shop is situated in Soi Rambuttri (next to Merry V Guest house).
It's in Khao San area so it shouldn't be difficult to find.
We visited the Timberland shop, which is actually a factory outlet. It was run by a delightful lady who told us the bargains, showed us what not to buy and was full of chat.
In a town with more clothes shops than I can cope with this place stands out for a couple of reasons. The selection of labels includes hard to find bits from Silas, PAM and more affordable brands. But what really makes this store stand apart for me is the inviting relaxed atmosphere, a rare thing amongst streetwear orientated stores.
27 Sydney St, Brighton BN1 4EP;
01273 571 145;
www.one40fivestore.com
While most tourists coming to Vancouver go to Robson Street downtown to find clothing (where stores such as A/X and Banana Republic compete), the as yet unknown area to shop is Main Street, roughly between Broadway (9th) and 45th Street. There, such stores as Dadabase and Twigg and Hottie sell funky artsy clothing. Highly recommended for shoppers who are interested in political statements and offbeat artistic designs on their clothing. Twigg and Hottie, for instance, source all of their clothes locally so all of their clothing is made within Canada, and some of it within BC. Dadabase gets locally made clothing through its in-house Government label.
If travelling to Vancouver, these clothes reflect Vancouver's culture more uniquely than (for example) Holt Renfrew clothing which can be purchased internationally.
Main Street clothing shops are still an untapped vein of creativity.
Dadabase: 183 East Broadway;
www.dadabase.ca
Twigg and Hottie: 3671 Main Street;
www.twiggandhottie.com
Stock up on outdoor gear at the cluster of shops selling all the latest stuff, often at a fraction of what you would pay in the UK. MEC is worth checking out but you need to pay a few dollars for life membership. Sells a wide range of equipment and the staff seem to know what they are talking about (mind you, everyone in this city is an outdoors' specialist). You will find a bargain somewhere!
Cambie and Broadway, south of downtown. Head east along Broadway, not the prettiest few blocks but perfectly safe. Limited parking on street but bus or taxi the best bet
The place to go for a famously small Brazilian bikini. This shopping center in the heart of Copacabana, which is known by its address, offers eight floors of fashion, especially beach wear. Prices are often cheaper than elsewhere. Don't be deceived by its unassuming entrance, which can be easily missed, and take one of the elevators to bikini heaven.
Rua Santa Clara 33, Copacabana
Rio's 'Covent Garden'. A shopping mall but on an intimate scale without any chain stores. Not very far from Leblon. Also has several theatres with Sat/Sun afternoon programmes for children and a playcentre. If you have small children, you can buy excellent cheap clothes at Bebe Basico on the ground floor. The owners also have a nice educational toy shop on the 2nd floor (Enfim Enfant) which sells hand-made toys and brilliant towelling cushions shaped like elephants and hippopotamuses.
Rua Marquês de São Vicente, 52, Shopping da Gávea - 2º piso Sábado e Domingo, às 17h Mais informações: 2540-6004 Classificação: livre ...
Despite the shiny new shop fittings and a slight hike in price since its days as an Army/Navy store when you could still get a Carhart jacket here for less than $10 and a pair of 501's for not much more. Dave's is still one of the cheapest places in Manhattan to get your Levis, Lee, Dickies and Carhart.
581 Sixth Ave (between 16th and 17th streets) Subway: 1 & 9 at 28th St www.davesnewyork.com/
Leave behind T-shirts bearing the kanji characters for “Ichiban”. Would you wear a T-shirt with “I’m Number One” pasted across the front if it were in English?
This is a long road in Banani and has ice cream shops, bakeries (Hot Breads), cafes and little boutiques selling children's and adult clothing. The ice cream parlours (Gelato and Movenpick) are air conditioned and with European standard modern interiors. Interesting flavours such as the Ferrero Rocher flavour in Gelato.
Road No 11, Banani. From Gulshan-2 roundabout head towards Banani and it falls on the left hand side.
A little shop tucked away in Nolita that sells jeans, jeans, and more jeans. We're talking all the latest brands (Seven for all Mankind, Citizens of Humanity, Earl, etc). It's a great little shop with friendly staff who don't overwhelm you and who can also recommend styles to you. (You'll need the help as there are so many models on offer.)
You have the time to try on whatever you want as the shop is quiet. They also have a lovely range of vintage belts. However, it's not the cheapest place for jeans (expect to pay $100 average).
9 Prince St
New York, NY 10012-3506
(212) 274-9921
Directions: B, D, F, Q at Broadway/Lafayette; 6 at Spring St, Bleecker St; N, R at Prince St
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