Ergo Alter: Ill-fitting clothing won’t cut it in a city renowned for its tailoring excellence

Well-fitting clothes are key to boosting self-confidence and achieving a polished style. But if you happen to have lost weight or gained a few pounds recently, you don’t need to consign your favourite outfits to the back of the wardrobe just because they no longer fit. Alteration services are there to save the day and enable your clothes to evolve in tandem with your body shape and personal taste.

Bespoke alteration ensures a perfect fit, enhancing not only your appearance but also your confidence and demeanour. Clothes that fit like a glove are naturally more comfortable, allowing for ease of movement and flexibility. Moreover, you can customise your garments to make them unique and tailored to your taste.

Renowned for its tailoring excellence, Hong Kong boasts an array of choices for bespoke clothing. Here, we curate a list of the city’s crème de la crème tailors who also offer customised alterations, catering to various tastes and preferences. So, whether you are seeking timeless elegance or trying to keep up with the changing trends, these esteemed establishments guarantee unparalleled quality and personalised attention, making them the epitome of tailoring excellence.

Apsley Tailors

One of Hong Kong’s best-known bespoke suit-makers, Punjab House, is partnered with iconic British tailor Apsley. Founded in London in 1889, Apsley represents the hallmark of success in the bespoke suit world, with each and every garment hand-cut and stitched according to specific instructions, resulting in a one-off garment with a perfect fit. The art of creating beautiful bespoke clothing has been handed down through generations of master tailors and craftsmen. The store also has a very wide range of fabrics and colours, so customers are spoilt for choice.

The Hong Kong shop is located in the heart of Tsim Sha Tsui, the city’s busiest neighbourhood. In the early days, Punjab House’s business came primarily from British servicemen stationed in the territory; since then crafting suits and dresses for tourists and locals has become their mainstay. It complements bespoke tailoring prowess with customisation and alteration services. apsleytailors.com.hk

Bonham Strand

Renowned for its exceptional craftsmanship, Bonham Strand bespoke tailoring was founded in 2012 with a vision to restore the traditional value of ‘Made in Hong Kong’. With a keen eye for detail, their skilled artisans make exquisite garments for men and women, from elegant evening apparel to sleek business attire. There is a wide range of traceable Italian and British fabrics, which come in varying weights, thread counts, colours, patterns and styles for each customer’s needs.

Operating from a workshop and showroom in Hollywood Road, Central, tailors create timeless sartorial suits that are exclusively handmade for each individual customer through fine artistry. To ensure accuracy and precision in fitting, master tailors carry out measurements over at least three fittings and alterations are made to the basted suit by using chalk. bonhamstrand.hk

Fabs

Another homegrown custom-clothing specialist, Fabs is a bastion of elegance, specialising in bespoke suits, formal wear and accessories. With a keen understanding of fabric and cut, their tailors create garments that make a lasting impression. Committed to providing a professional service for all, they take bespoke tailoring up a notch with their innovative approach, combining traditional techniques with modern technology. This avant-garde tailor offers high-quality, handmade clothing at reasonable prices.

Fabs’ aim is to provide high-quality handmade clothing and alterations. Dipping into a varied selection of fabric brands from around the globe, their suits are all crafted in Hong Kong by tailors with decades of experience. The men’s and women’s clothing departments are separately run to meet the different needs of customers and the highest standards of bespoke alterations. Their Causeway Bay showroom caters to clients throughout the week except Tuesday. fabshk.com

Raja Fashions

Established in 1957, Raja Fashions is a venerable institution in Hong Kong’s tailoring landscape. This family-run business in Kowloon has honed its expertise over three generations. Master tailors work closely with clients to create bespoke ensembles that exude refinement and poise, ensuring a flawless fit and unparalleled quality. They are dedicated to preserving traditional tailoring techniques while incorporating modern flair – a holistic bespoke approach spanning personalised consultations and wardrobe planning. They also offer bespoke alterations for suits, shirts and trousers that embody timeless sophistication.

Their flagship store and Raja Luxe showroom, both located in Tsim Sha Tsui, are havens for discerning individuals seeking handcrafted, tailored perfection. Following a drop in British expatriate customers after Hong Kong’s return of sovereignty to China in 1997, Raja went global by setting up international tailoring trunk shows in different cities across the world. Their suits, tuxedos and more are available through The Suit Concierge in Melbourne, Australia. raja-fashions.com

Choosing bespoke modification is an investment in yourself, your style and the environment, resulting in a more valuable and meaningful dressing experience. Clothing alterations create a more flattered silhouette, accentuating your best features. They also help preserve your treasured collection of expensive and quality clothes, ensuring they remain wearable for a very long time.