A shirt that fits properly is one of the hardest things to buy off the rack, and one of the most satisfying to have made. If your shoulders, bust and waist never seem to agree with the same size, a custom shirt or blouse solves it for good. Here is what you can have made in Bangkok, the fabrics that work in the heat, and what it costs.
Shirts or blouses?
People search for both, and mean much the same thing: a beautifully fitted top made just for them. Loosely, a shirt has a collar, cuffs and a full button front, the crisp, slightly menswear shape that works for the office. A blouse is softer, with looser lines, ties, gathers or a feminine neckline. We make the whole range, and there is no need to settle on the right word before you come in.
What you can have made
Business and work shirts: crisp poplin or cotton shirts that actually close cleanly at the bust and nip in at the waist, for the office, court or the boardroom.
Silk and occasion blouses: a custom blouse in silk or a soft satin for events, dinners and photographs, where the drape and the neckline do the work.
Linen and summer shirts: breathable, easy shapes for Bangkok days, in linen and light cotton that move with the heat rather than fighting it.
A copy of your favourite: bring the one shirt you wish you owned in five colours, and we will pattern from it and remake it, fixing any niggles in the fit along the way.
Choosing fabric for the heat
For Bangkok, breathable natural fibres are usually the answer. Cotton poplin and oxford keep a crisp, professional look while staying cool. Linen is the most comfortable in real heat, with a relaxed crease that is part of its charm. Silk feels luxurious and drapes beautifully for occasion blouses, though it asks for a little more care.
Bring your own fabric, or choose from the bolts at the atelier. If you want to go deeper, our notes on the fabrics we keep and our guide to choosing suiting fabric both apply to shirts that need to hold a press.
Getting the fit right
This is the whole reason to go custom. Off-the-rack shirts are cut to an average that almost no one actually is, so they gape at the bust, balloon at the waist or pull across the shoulders. Made to measure, the shirt is drafted to your real measurements, with darts where you need shape, a collar that sits flat, cuffs that close at the right point on the wrist and a sleeve length that is finally correct.
The first shirt includes a fitting so we can perfect the pattern. After that we keep your block on file, so every future order starts from a shape that already fits.
What it costs and how long it takes
Most custom shirts and blouses run from about 3,000 to 15,000 THB, depending on the fabric and the detailing, and usually take a week or two. The first piece needs a fitting; repeat orders in the same block are faster. You can see the full range on our pricing page, and read how the process works from first measurement to final press.
How to start
Bring a favourite shirt to copy, or just come in for measurements and a look through the fabrics. There is no minimum, so a single blouse is a perfectly good place to begin. We have been making women's clothes on Sukhumvit since 1989, and a well-cut shirt is one of the quiet pleasures we love getting right.
Book a shirt or blouse consultation
Malai Chanhom
Malai brings 20 years of invaluable experience from working in tailoring. Her expertise and passion for crafting the perfect fit drive her mission to help every customer find their ideal style.
Her dedication to her craft goes beyond the workroom. Whether it is a wedding gown, a tailored suit, or an alteration, every piece gets the same care.
