Thank you Jane for acknowledging the reference to my late Mum.

Ana, considering I’m almost 20 years older than Agnes Deyn, I’m humbled that there is a likeness in that picture!

Mirah and San, thanks for noticing my new hairdo. The colour change has allowed for slate grey tops which is exciting seeing as I have never been able to wear that colour before.

K Lauren, GREAT tips and I agree wholeheartedly with your sentiment that a good tailor is worth its weight in gold. Sounds like you have an interesting job.

Such coincidences Trish, Therese and Swirl. It’s such a small world! Swirl, you might find tomorrows blog post particularly interesting.

Therese, I have seen the work of Shanghai tailors and am in awe. I have a handful of clients who have had garments made there and they are beautiful.

Contrary to Antje’s experience in Thailand, having items tailor made in HK is not cheap. Depending on the fabric that you choose, you can expect to pay between the price of an Anne Taylor and Pret-a-porter garment.

The collar absolutely stays standing up, Trish. I had extra vilene inserted for that very purpose.

Funny you mention the power of tailoring, as I just took a recently purchased wool jacket in to have some minor fixes…I can’t wait to get it back!

Patience, I go to Ace Alterations on Far West. There is a location at Barton Creek Mall, but I found the Far West location to be less busy, and the manager is really nice and patient, and good at making suggestions for alterations if you know what you want, but not exactly sure how to achieve it. She’ll be honest with you too about how expensive it would be (this is why I haven’t gotten my denim jacket cropped yet, just taken in). I’ve always been really happy with their work. I know they do more complicated alterations because I’ve seen them pinning a lady wearing a beaded formal gown. I’m going to buy a pair of bootcut cream jeans and take them there to have them made into straight leg jeans.

I generally go to Mr Xu, a friend of a friend who’s a semi-retired Shanghainese tailor and even more skilled than my favorite tailors back in Shanghai. I won’t lie, though — all of my favorite tailor-made items come from Shanghai, probably because I was able to pick out my fabric at the fabric market and then specify exactly what I wanted because the tailor and I both spoke Mandarin and I had more free time to go for fittings and be a pushy person and demand changes, something I don’t have time for here in HK. Even better was getting hand-knit items (I can knit myself, but nowhere near as far and beautifully as the professionals!) made according to my customizations, with yarn I selected, etc. Good times.

I went to Sam’s with my husband during a trip to Hong Kong. My DH has several suits from Sam’s that are fabulous.

However, I too was terribly disappointed with their women’s blouses. They actually *informed* me that women don’t like linings for button plackets and french seams. Well, THIS woman does. I specifically asked for the french seams. ALl of the men’s shirts have linings for the button plackets; this is basic good tailoring and I expected it in the woman’s blouse. The unlined button placket had big gaps in it and didn’t have a clean line under a jacket. I was disappointed enough that I refused to purchase one of the blouses they had made for me (yes, you can do this if the garment is unacceptable).

I would recommend Sam’s for men’s suits but warn folks away from the ladies’ blouses.

Antje, please pass along the tailor’s information to me. I have piles of alterations I need made. You can do so at stephanie (at sign) stephaniedoll.com or through Angie. Thanks so much!
Stephanie Doll