Bespoke Clothing

The thing about having something made specially for you is that it's well, special. 

In the UK, bespoke isn't a thing that happened to me very much in Europe; though I can always point to one very notable example, my cello (thanks Mum). But in Singapore, this isn't as true. I've now had tailored clothing made for me twice.


The first time I came here I decided to get a suit made. I went to a recommended tailor, accompanied by the Dodgess and her mother. Just as well, really. For a start I would never have found the place. It was the smallest shop I'd ever been in, tucked underneath a yellow and blue shopping mall, which had seen better days.

For something that I was theoretically in control of I had absolutely no idea what was happening - the negotiations on everything including style were carried out in Hokkien, between the tailor and the Dodgess' Mum. In fact, the only bit I got was when the price was being discussed, and the tailor turned to me, looked aghast, and then pointed from my head to toe. Clearly I was somewhat longer than his average customer. Still - I liked the results.


When I arrived this time, I found myself again taken down to a tailor, again thanks to the Dodgess's mother, but this time as a gift. 


Unlike the previous time, I would have been able to find this place on my own. It was in the middle of Raffles Hotel, and everything was in English. The last order they had was a load of shirts for the Asia Pacific Economic Forum Leaders Meeting in Singapore. And I now have two shirts, made by the same hands that make shirts for politicians...


I have to admit, that I do like tailored things. For a start, any normal shirt which fits my next can wrap itself round my waist twice. Then there are my arms, which are not the same length aparently. Not quite sure why, but my left arm is longer by about 2cm than the right. Maybe breaking an arm shortens it. But above all, they make you feel special. Something just for you.


So, will I be having everything tailored from now? errr no. Tailored clothes in Singapore cost about the same as expensive clothes in the UK. This makes them quite a lot more expensive than cheap clothes, which here are even cheaper than in the UK.

Also, at the moment, I treat my bespoke clothing with a distinct reverence. If I wore them every day, they would cease to be, well, special.