By Jade Johnston
Of all the places I wish I knew more of before I went to Vietnam for my holidays, Hoi An is the place. Before my trip, I spent countless hours researching places of interest on the internet and in guide books, reading books of the history and culture, and planning my Vietnam itinerary. If only I had found an article like this one to prepare me with some Hoi An tailoring tips!
I knew that there were lots of tailors in Hoi An, but I never thought I would be the type of thing to get too excited about it.
I was wrong.
Walking down the streets of old Hoi An, one soon realizes that the majority of businesses are tailors. It’s difficult not to be drawn into the shops – to the stacks of fashion magazines, and walls full of beautiful textiles – and not be just a little bit tempted.
This coat was made for me in Hoi An. This photo was taken in Ottawa, Canada.
And then there is the price.
With all the competition in Hoi An, it is not difficult to find a tailor that suits your budget. Of course, if you want to get something a little more particular made, and if you want to ensure the finest of materials, then you may want to spend a little bit extra at one of the more well known establishments.
But if all you want is something rather simple, then by all means, shop around until you find a tailor that is in your price range, and who has the material you desire.
I must admit, I went a little bit crazy.
Flipping through Vogue and Elle magazines, the clothes worn by the models suddenly became attainable. I sorted through catalogues, designed a new winter coat, and in general got way too excited.
I ended up extending my stay, and getting not only several dresses made, but also a couple of blouses, a new winter coat, and even some new shoes at the cobblers. And all for less than $200. It was amazing!
The only thing I regretted was not diligently sorting through fashion magazines before my trip, and carefully preserving all the patterns and ideas that I would like to see made.
My white trench coat, white pumps, and my blue dress were all tailored in Hoi An. Also the man on my left also had his silk suit made in Hoi An as well. This photo was taken at my friends wedding in Leeds, England.
Jade
Jade is a freelance travel writer from Manitoba Canada. She loves travel and meeting new people has lived in 6 countries and travelled to more than 30. She prefers to travel slowly - taking overland transit or working/ volunteering in the countries she visits. Her motto is that she might never return to this place again, so she has to try to soak up as much as possible. To learn more about the OurOyster project,click here! Or to find OurOyster on Google + : Jade's Google Profile You can also shoot her an email at jade@ouroyster.com
Christy @ Technosyncratic (10 months ago)
We tried to get things made in Thailand and the experience was terrible — we couldn’t find any decent fabrics, they had a hard time understanding how to interpret the photos I brought in, and the things we got altered were subpar. And we went to a highly reviewed shop! I tried to get a pair of breezy linen pants made and the result was something that my grandpa would wear. We were so disappointed.
I wish we had waited until Hoi An – it seems like tailors there are used to dealing with things other than suits.
Christy @ Technosyncratic recently posted..That One Time We Almost Got Blown Off the Cliffs of Moher
Angela (10 months ago)
I went to buy from tailors in China, they were absolutely fantastic. Excellent idea to post things home!
Angela recently posted..Resilient to globalization? Visit Sedilo, Sardinia
OurOyster (10 months ago)
I think it only cost us about $20 to send 10 kilos back to Canada as well…. so worth it!
Laurence (10 months ago)
This isn’t something I’ve ever thought of doing, but your clothes look pretty awesome. Knowing me though, I’d end up going crazy and getting something that Willy Wonka would be proud to wear…
Laurence recently posted..Top tips for surviving a European city in summer
OurOyster (10 months ago)
But consider…it would probably only cost you $40 and then you would be set for fancy dress parties forever
Brooke vs. the World (10 months ago)
I’ve heard about the amazingness of Hoi An for years! I wannnnnnt to goooooo and get tailored clothes! You look awesome in that white trench.
OurOyster (10 months ago)
Thanks!!! Although I don’t usually like going to the same country twice… I am a bit tempted to go back to Hoi An for a clothes making holiday
Kristen Jacobson (10 months ago)
That’s such a great idea. When I go to Hoi An, I’ll definitely sort through some fashion magazines first. Looking a million bucks for only $100 sounds good to me:)
Kristen Jacobson recently posted..Re: Wedding Crashers – Indian Edition
OurOyster (10 months ago)
It’s easy to go a bit overboard as well! But who cares! It’ so cheap!
Travel and Escape Community (10 months ago)
Great idea Jade!
Travel and Escape Community recently posted..Czeching Out at the Festival of Slow
OurOyster (10 months ago)
Thanks!
cheryl (10 months ago)
Awesome. I’d love to have this done for me at least twice a year. =)
cheryl recently posted..Graffiti And Street Art In Szczecin, Poland – Part 2.
OurOyster (10 months ago)
me too! writing this made me want to go back….!
Noah Lederman (10 months ago)
Great post. You just cost me a few hundred dollars as my wife is now excited for Hoi An. I’ll let you know how it goes.
Noah Lederman recently posted..Bus Travel: Everyone Is Always Wrong
OurOyster (9 months ago)
hahahaha but if she bought the same things at home it would cost you much much much more than that!
Brian Harry (9 months ago)
It looks good jade and the colors are so fantastic I think I should also visit china for that. I heard they have a lot of variety for that kinds.
OurOyster (9 months ago)
I think many Asian countries have cheap tailor businesses, but what makes Hoi An special is that the whole town almost seems devoted to the trade
Audrey (9 months ago)
I’ve heard so many good things about the tailors in Hoi An; I think I’m sold! I’ll have to start browsing fashion magazines ahead of time!
Audrey recently posted..Gagwonsa Buddhist Temple | Cheonan, South Korea
Mary @ Green Global Travel (8 months ago)
Being a very curvy petite 5’2″ American woman, almost everything I purchase has to be tailored. I end up buying a lot of my things at thrift stores so that I can afford to have them altered to fit me. A city of tailors is almost like a dream come true. I love the idea of getting something made to fit my uncommon figure while supporting the local economy – everybody wins!
Mary @ Green Global Travel recently posted..DESTINATIONS: Volunteering On A Vineyard in the Spanish Pyrenees
OurOyster (8 months ago)
So true! I have the opposite problem – Im 6 feet tall and have no hips, a short torso, and long legs – My figure doesn’t exist in more clothing manufacturers reality! I would consider going back to Vietnam just to stop back in at Hoi An
Alan (6 months ago)
I have been lucky enough to find a good Tailor in Hong Kong however in recent years the prices have increased quite a lot. My wife and I are visiting Vietnam in April 2013 and one of the things on our to do list is to get some clothing tailor made. I’m so glad you ahared your tips about Hoi An we will definately schedule that into our visit.
Alan recently posted..Vietnam Public Holidays 2013
OurOyster (6 months ago)
I think Hoi An is one of the best places to get tailoring done, as there are so many tailors in such a small area. The competition means that you can find great value and also great quality.