Macau Matters | The Joys of Custom Clothing

Richard Whitfield

I loathe and abhor shopping, especially for clothes, mostly because I never know what to buy. People who know my wife and I also know that any clothes that I wear that are remotely stylish were only bought and worn to satisfy her – if it was up to me, I would only wear my old shorts, t-shirts and birkenstocks.

Nonetheless, I do like custom made clothes. Generally, they are just much more comfortable to wear and are made in fabrics, cuts and styles that I am comfortable wearing. My father sent me to his tailor to get my first suit when I graduated from university. He was an excellent tailor, and more importantly, he was an excellent style advisor who recommended some shirts, ties, shoes and belts to go with the suit so I ended up with several “color coordinated” outfits for different occasions. They lasted me for years. Before leaving Australia I also bought some expensive dress shirts from a shop where they only sewed on the cuffs after measuring your arm lengths – these were a revelation because I always have problems with off-the-rack shirts that are unfailingly designed for people with shorter arms or smaller necks than mine.

When I moved to Hong Kong I started buying custom made shirts, pants, suits and shoes, and I have generally been very happy with the results. Since moving to Macau I have continued to buy custom shirts and suits, but I find that the range of fabrics is usually not as good here. Unfortunately, I have not been able to find a reasonable custom cobbler in Macau, and I lost track of the cobbler I used in Hong Kong after they moved location. I really miss my custom shoes!

I have also found that the custom tailors I have used in Asia do not give the color and style advice I got from my father’s tailor – mostly I just buy what my wife chooses for me. Also, the tailors here do not have the range of products – as well as custom suits and shirts, my father’s tailor was a full “gentlemen’s outfitter” who sold all sorts of formal and casual branded clothing and shoes and accessories and could advise you on all sorts of outfits and how to mix and match pieces to suit different occasions.

I would like to see a real gentlemen’s outfitter in Macau that stocks the full spectrum of good quality custom and branded clothing and accessories and offers professional advice for formal, office and casual wear. (A good barbershop would be an added bonus.) I am sure that there would be a good market for it, especially among our richer tourists.

The Internet and international parcel post is also changing the nature of this kind of business. Once you have been properly measured and fitted and the clothing styles you like are known, it is easy to learn about new products and re-order clothing online for home delivery (like many Hong Kong tailors now do). I would be very happy to continue buying online from a shop that keeps my details, including records of what I have previously bought, and that continues to send me information and advice about clothing that I like in an e-newsletter. Ordering fabric swatches online for delivery by post would also be good. I would also be happy to periodically revisit the shop, not so much to buy, but to update my details and to get advice. I believe that the Internet can really change this kind of retail business, greatly extending customer reach and loyalty and changing the in-shop and online experiences of customers. Perhaps a business for Macau?