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76 measurements, 13 types of material, 21 visits to tailors, 7 forms filled out at the post office and 26 hours later, and I'm now the proud owner of some cool new clothing. Well, not that I have any right to use or even know the meaning of the word 'cool', but it's pretty smart stuff to my eyes. This is Hoi An, home to arguably the world's largest collection of tailors, or at the least, the cheapest. One can have a new suit made up for $25! Personally, I prefer clothing with a bit more class (don't laugh), or rather, better quality that I know will last, so I spent a little more. I felt like a king on a Fordian factory line, getting measured up at various places, along with 100s of others, who all have one thing on their mind: the smell of cheap, well-made fitted clothing.
Hello Tailors!
Simon Wadsworth2006-09-04 15:39:34
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76 measurements, 13 types of material, 21 visits to tailors, 7 forms filled out at the post office and 26 hours later, and I'm now the proud owner of some cool new clothing. Well, not that I have any right to use or even know the meaning of the word 'cool', but it's pretty smart stuff to my eyes. This is Hoi An, home to arguably the world's largest collection of tailors, or at the least, the cheapest. One can have a new suit made up for $25! Personally, I prefer clothing with a bit more class (don't laugh), or rather, better quality that I know will last, so I spent a little more. I felt like a king on a Fordian factory line, getting measured up at various places, along with 100s of others, who all have one thing on their mind: the smell of cheap, well-made fitted clothing.
I lost track of the number of measurements that were taken (yes, that earlier number was a lie, but probably not far off); arm length and thickness, neck, neck to arm, neck to chest, chest width upper, middle and lower, check to arm, you get the idea. Then there's the 100s of catalogues to look through - everything from Argos to Vogue, depending on one's sexual inclination, followed by endless stacks of material to choose from, and finally the suit design - with 0, 1 or 2 slits, 2-3 buttons, double or single breasts, folded lapels etc. So many choices! It's like being back at a fast-food place in the States, and for someone who's knowledge of clothing is about as much as my knowledge of ladybird migrations, it was tricky at times. But I think I made it through to the other side, and have the following, all tailor-made and fitted for me, to show for my efforts: a 3-piece tux ($80), 2-piece suit ($60), travelling-trousers ($12) and travelling-top ($10), the former of which are on their way in a Nescafé box back to the UK. Yep, it's eaten away at my budget somewhat, but I would have been stupid not to, since the
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