You may have heard, or perhaps you know that Hoi An is where all the tailors are at. The streets here are lined with tailors all desperate to make you a suit or a dress or maybe a jacket.
We had clothes made last time we were here because we had heard that it was great quality and cheap. However our experience with the tailor we went to was less than ideal as they had us coming back 4-5 times to have fittings which meant that there wasn't much time to do anything else!
It was recommended this time by our hotel that we should use BeBe, another higher end establishment. We were warned that it was possibly one of the more expensive places and they did recommend a cheaper option, but we just happened upon the BeBe store and once we stepped inside, we were sat down, given water and were choosing fabrics before we had a chance to change our minds.
I'm not sure what we were thinking the price would be, but it worked out a lot more expensive than whatever number we would have come up with. So, as a result I only had one top copied out of the five I had brought with me.
Chris had thought it would be ideal to have some loose cotton trou copied that she had purchased in Target at home. They were light and comfy and just the type of pair that is great to have a few pairs of...... Guess how much they were going to charge to make them.... Go on - Guess
$US60!!!!
They only cost $15 in Australia.
On our way around the shops I had spotted a little number hanging in the window that just had to be mine. This gorgeous lady raced out and grabbed my arm, "I make for you. You need very large size." Honestly, these Vietnamese ladies are so observant...... and blatantly honest to the point of being rude - but they're not trying to hurt anyone's feelings - they're just calling it as they see it.
She made me 2 dresses and I had to go in for one fitting and then once again to pick them up after she made a slight alteration. I love one of the dresses and I kind of like the other one, but she did a great job and was quick and very eager to please. Her shop is small and packed and is an obvious extension of her home as Nanna and Pop sit in the back watching the telly whilst you check things out in the mirror right next to them.
Her name is Hoàng Lô and you can find her at:
74 Tran Phu Street
(between C.T. Van St and Hai Bà Trúng St)
Hoi An City
Tel: 0510. 3863915
Marie-Lou wanted to have a nightie copied and took it into a different lady with the specific instruction to make it 10cms longer. It was a pretty easy design and the lady seemed pretty confident that it would all turn out okey dokey.
However, when she went back to pick up her new, freshly made garment, she was a little surprised to find that they had in fact shortened it by 10cms! There was no miscommunication, when the lady saw it she was shocked as Marie and said, "I told the tailor, he didn't listen." She offered to take $5 off the price if she took it they way it was, but as Marie was now standing in a nightie that was now 20cms shorter than she had anticipated, she suggested that they sew the extra material on the bottom. What a balls up!
(Footnote: It all turned out ok in the end)
Chris had to do a bit of negotiating with these ladies...
So, my recommendation on having clothes made in Hoi An would be this:
If you have time and don't mind going back a 2-3 times for fittings I think it's worth it, as you're getting a tailor made outfit which can either be copied from the original garment or copied from a photo or drawing. The quality and price will vary and don't be afraid to negotiate. The bigger shops will charge more as they have more staff and probably a bigger range of fabrics to choose from. They will also generally have a better 'don't pay if your'e not happy' policy, however the smaller shops possibly offer more personal service. I say go in, talk to the people and see who you like the best.
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