Countdown! Our Biggest Blogs – #2

To celebrate the upcoming anniversary of the Beijinger magazine, we're taking a look back at the 11 most-read posts in the history of TheBeijinger.com. We're going to countdown from 11 to one, with a blog every day until the big event on October 18. Without further ado ... let's step back in time to September 7, 2010.

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Note: The information contained below was accurate at the time that it was originally published.

"Beijing's Top Tailors" by Tiffany Wang

Having clothes made to measure has so many benefits over buying off-the-shelf, but it can be difficult to know who to trust or even where to begin. Here’s our list of recommendations for arriving at the perfect fit.

Carol & Luc Slightly more expensive than Yashow tailors, but with far more personalized service and superior fabrics. Carol turns out clothing for men, women and children, as well as bags, cufflinks and ties. Men’s suits are in the RMB 1,000 range, while shirts are RMB 100. International shipping is also available through her website. Daily 9am-9pm. Unit 5-12, 1/F, Bldg 5, Jianguomenwai, Diplomatic Residence Compound, Chaoyang District. (8532 3817; 138 1005 1411)
www.thebeijingtailor.com; cltailors@gmail.com 朝阳区建国门外5楼1层5-12号

D&J Fine Tailor A small mom-and-pop shop with more than 30 years experience in custom-making Chinese- or Western-style clothing, especially formalwear (price TBD) and men’s shirts (RMB 150). Either bring in beloved shirts and suits for alteration, or take your pick from hundreds of imported fabrics, collar and cuff styles. Fittings are so thorough that they offer a full warranty for every garment made, meaning any necessary repairs within the first 12 months will be free. Unit B017, Guanghualu Soho, 22 Guanghua Lu, Chaoyang District. (6798 6525) www.tailorbeijing.com 朝阳区光华路 22号光华路SOHO, B017室

Dave's Custom Tailoring Once included in Forbe’s list of top ten bespoke tailors in the world, this Shanghai-based tailor has long been renowned for its pristine quality and craftsmanship when it comes to men’s suits (RMB 5,000/each). Pricey, perhaps, but guaranteed to be long-lasting and one of the best around town. Our only complaint? They don’t make apparel for women. Daily 10am-7pm. Stall 104, Kerry Centre Shopping Mall, 1 Guanghua Lu, Chaoyang District. (8529 9433) www.tailordave.com 朝阳区光华路1号嘉里中心104单元

Fei Fei Adept at copying photos, Fei Fei draws a loyal clientele of Beijing expats with her detailed work on everything from dress shirts to linen suits. Don’t be fooled by the minute size of her shop – she delivers value suits (RMB 1,000-1,500) and other clothing at mid-range prices, with individualized service for every customer. Daily 8am-9pm. 35-1-103, Xinyuanli Compound (opposite Jingkelong Supermarket), Chaoyang District. (8455 1939, 133 6627 5682) 朝阳区新源里35号楼1门103 (京客隆超市斜对面)

Hanloon Tailor Another higher-end tailor, with a comprehensive collection of fabrics – many of which have been approved for Hanloon’s use by leading European companies including Givenchy, Valentino and Versace. Ladies can get dresses (price to be discussed) constructed here; men’s suits made-to-order start from RMB 4,000. Daily 10am-6pm. SB133, B1/F, China World Shopping Mall, 1 Jianguomenwai Dajie, Chaoyang District. (6505 3095) 恒龙, 朝阳区建国门外大街1号国贸商城地下1层SB133

Lisa’s Tailor Shop A 3.3 Mall tailor that stands out amongst its neighbors due to word-of-mouth. The cotton shirts cost RMB 80-200, while wool and cashmere suits go for RMB 700-1,500, depending on the fabric quality. Express service is also offered here, so suits can be ready within 24 hours. Daily 11am-10pm. 3006, 3/F, 3.3 Shopping Center, 33 Sanlitun Beijie, Chaoyang District. (139 1079 8183) www.beijingtailor.com 朝阳区 三里屯北街33号3.3购物中心3层3006号

Tailor He Mr. He’s cluttered hole-in-the-wall workshop may put some people off, but then they’d be missing out on some of the best clothing alteration services in the city. For only RMB 20-80, he can resize loose blazers and suits or transform ratty blouses into slim-cut tunics. Highly recommended by Beijinger’s former style editor Belle Zhao. B1 Huayuan Zhixing, 6 Dongdaqiao Xiejie, Chaoyang District. (131 2040 5368) 朝阳区东大桥斜街6号华源之星地下一层

Yiwen Studio Cao Yiwen sells original designs as well as bespoke tailoring, but clothing redesign is her area of expertise. Bring in old garments and she’ll update them into snazzy one-of-a-kind pieces, mixing in fabrics and adding modern details. Daily noon-8pm. D303, Nali Patio, 81 Sanlitun Beilu, Chaoyang District. (5208 6163) 朝阳区三里屯北路81号那里花园D303

Senli & Frye The biggest competitor to Dave’s Custom Tailoring for men’s suits, known for being just as durable but also more stylish. Their emphasis is on fabric imported from Italy and England, with detail-oriented stitching and outstanding quality of materials, even down to the accessories. Expect to pay at least RMB 2,000-5,000/suit and RMB 350-550 for shirts. Call or e-mail beforehand to arrange a fitting; English phone line available. 1/F, Yaxing Building,46A Liangmaqiao Lu, Chaoyang District. (6463 5849; 139 1009 2410 for English; 136 0113 3391 for Chinese) tailoring@stylites.net 亮马桥路甲46号亚星大厦1层

Silk Market Tailors The third floor of this well-known market offers cheaper options if quality fabrics aren’t a priority – just prepare to bargain hard. A wide selection of tailors, of varying price and quality, produce silk qipaos and staple suits here on the daily. 24-hour service for last-minute ordering is also available. Daily 9am-9m. 8 Xiushui Dongjie, Jianguomenwai Dajie, Chaoyang District. (5169 8800) 秀水市场, 朝阳区建国门外大街秀水东街8号

Yashow 3066 Some swear by this Yashow tailor, which has fitted suits for visiting big shots like Condoleeza Rice (with a photo to prove it). The option of door-to-door service by appointment, along with a user-friendly catalogue presenting a range of samples for Chinese attire, men’s suits, tuxedos and evening gowns, makes this a stress-free stop. Shirts are more than affordable at RMB 80 and suits for RMB 800; both can be ready within two to seven days. Daily 9.30am-9pm. Stall 3066, Yashow Market, Chaoyang District. (6413 2432, 137 0132 0756) 雅时裁缝店, 朝阳区雅秀市场3066