Korean Job Discussion Forums

Free World · Joined: 01 Apr 2005 Location: Drake Hotel

I got a business card today from a guy in Itaewon. The company's name is Manchester Custom Tailor and although I have no experience dealing with them there is a 2 year warranty so the quality must be there. There is no website on the card but the email is [email protected].

thorin · Joined: 14 Apr 2003

Go to a department store. I like Pierre Cardin or Paco Rabanne. You can easily find something in your price range if you go with plain blue or black. Out of season fabrics should be even less.

Ryst Helmut · Posted: Sun Jun 26, 2005 7:43 pm Post subject:

Free World · Joined: 01 Apr 2005 Location: Drake Hotel

white_shadow · Joined: 28 Mar 2005

It's not the best suit in the world, but it'll do fine for most folks.

You can go to any big outdoor style market in Seoul, and then go to the buildings that are within the market. Suit retailers want their merchandise inside and protected from the environment.

You can get 100% wool for $100 and a blend for $80. They will ask for $150 - $200, so bargain down. Shop around and find the best quality. You'll pay $20 more, but it's still a great bargain.

I got mine for $90 (all wool) but I'm Korean so I demanded they cut another $10 off.

Namdamun(?) Market off of the line 4
Younsei Market (?) near the Womens University

My airline gave us a brouchure called Rainbow Korea. It had very good info on what to find and where. Try to find a copy.

thewhat · Joined: 03 Jun 2005 Location: Seoul suburbs

Avoid Manchester "Tailor" like the plague.

They prey on tourists and dumb waygooks. All these suits, from all the places around there, are made in some hole across the street or something, away from the main street. The job they do is crap!
I swear I had to go there 5 times at least for adjustments and they never did anything and claimed they had.

They left the underside of the collar unfinished, the button hole on the lapel is a bunch of sewn on lines by a sewing machine...on and on

I ended up paying anyways, im soooooooo dumb, and will be heading back to beg them to fix the piece of shit!

hogwonguy1979 · Joined: 22 Dec 2003 Location: the racoon den

better yet go to either Thailand, Hong Kong or my favorite Hoi An in Vietnam. Just had a nice quality suit made for US$120 and they shipped it to me.

I've had suits made here and the quality in Itaewon for the price aint worth it. Songtan may be better from what I've heard.

thewhat · Joined: 03 Jun 2005 Location: Seoul suburbs

Yes, for sure.

Songtan, is half the price and twice the quality. The best place, right by the main gate, is still cheaper than Itaewon. There are also several places along the shopping mall quoting 150 for 170 thread counts. Seems like a good deal, Im going to try them out.

yakey · Joined: 21 Apr 2003 Location: Korea

The shops around Camp Casey in Dongducheon seem to be hurting for business. I got some decent suits made for 100,00 won each, and another 3-piece suit for 120,000. I'd rate them as average, as far as suits go for look, but you can't beat a tailor-made fit.

freebeerandchicken · Joined: 02 May 2005 Location: Seoul

Does anyone else have any more (recent) tailor suggestions? How much can I expect to pay for a decent Korean-brand suit if I buy it at Lotte Dept store? I'm now in the market to buy my first suit. I have no idea about style, what material to get, what is a good thread count, etc etc. I'm buying the suit to wear at a wedding at the start of September, in France.. 30 degrees celcius weather probably.

ps -- Here's an article worth checking out:

http://www.korea.net/news/news/newsView.asp?serial_no=20040401022&part=108&SearchDay=

ChopChaeJoe · Joined: 05 Mar 2006 Location: Seoul

I had a Korean friend bring me to this area in Seoul where there were many, many outlet stores with fine clothing. I don't remember the name of the area, but great selection and great prices. You can talk them down on price and get freebies as well. Onsite alterations at no extra charge in the store, or done cheaply offsite for more elaborate work.

i wish i remembered the name of that place. I'll definitely go there again.

mole · Joined: 06 Feb 2003 Location: Act III

Last suit I got was from Lotte Department Store. The brand is Cambridge.
It says wool and mohair and is very lightweight and comfortable for Korean summers.
Pricey, at almost 1mil. But the in-laws bought it for our wedding reception.

I worked with a guy just before coming to Korea. He always reminded me of the huge guy in The Green Mile.
He had been stationed in Korea long ago and warned me not to buy cheap custom suits here.
He was a master storyteller, so I couldn't do him justice retelling his tale.