Best tailors in Hong Kong

Hong Kong’s tailors are legendary. Since the days when a British Governor ruled over the city and hordes of sampans flitted across Victoria Harbour, Hong Kong has been known for its suits. The city boasts an unrivaled army of tailors stitching up high-quality, bespoke menswear for prices impossible in London or New York. From glamorous boutiques in five-star hotels to back-alley, unassuming shops that have been handed down over generations, here are our favourites.

Empire Tailors

This iconic, family-run tailor refuses to rush its creations. Expect four-to-five days, and at least three fittings, before you can get your hands on your perfect suit. Empire’s house cut is slim, tapered and contemporary.

Empire Tailors, 3/F, Fontaine Building, 18 Mody Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, MTR Exit N1

The Armoury

Another modern tailor that works closely with artisanal tailors from the UK, Spain, Italy and Japan. Armoury products are the height of prestige and can be found in the Mandarin Oriental’s three-in-one boutique, The Mandarin Barber. 

The Armoury, 307 Pedder Building, 12 Pedder Street, Central, 2804 6991

W.W. Chan & Sons

This Hong Kong institution was established in 1952 at the height of Hong Kong’s tailoring fame, when the Chans moved down from Shanghai where they already had a rich history of bespoke tailoring. The shop maintains traditional Shanghainese techniques. Each suit is hand stitched together.

W.W. Chan & Sons, Unit B, 8/F, Entertainment Building, 30 Queen’s Road Central, Central, 2368 2194

Bobby’s Fashions

Nick and Bobby Daswani are third-generation tailors who are experts in the business. They employ hundreds of professional consultants, master cutters and tailors. What’s more, they boast a catalogue of more than 20,000 fabrics from around the world. Bobby’s is also famous for tailoring for the late Kobe Bryant.

Bobby’s Fashions, Shop 3A, Carnarvon Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, 2724 2615

Ascot Chang

Established in Hong Kong in the ’50s, Chang and his team craft shirts, suits, pyjamas and even boxer shorts the traditional Shanghai way. Chang now has four locations across the city as well as outlets in LA, New York and Shanghai.

Ascot Chang, multiple locations including Shop 131, Landmark Prince’s, Central, 2523 3663

Raja Fashions

Over its 60-year history, Raja Fashions has amassed an eye-boggling selection of fabrics. But, choosing a fabric is likely to be the only laborious part of the of the process. Raja offers a 24-hour turnover. There’s a consultation in the morning, a fitting in the afternoon and the completed suit is available early the next day.

Raja, Fashions, G/F, 34C Cameron Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, 2366 7624

Cuffs

Cuffs is at the cutting edge of Hong Kong’s avant garde tailoring scene. In the minimalist Causeway Bay store, hip tailors sketch up custom-made suits with a little more flare and more daring than some of the city’s more traditional institutions.

Cuffs, 3/F, 27 Lee Garden Road, Causeway Bay, 2413 6033

Feature image courtesy of The Armoury