My First Tailored Custom Suit Experience
This is my first experience getting a custom suit, and they even designed space for my lower abdomen! Due to my work, I need to pay more attention to the first impression I give. The first step in transforming my image is to get a suit that can enhance my personal qualities and style.
This time, I collaborated with Hui Ling, who has an exceptional eye for style. Our English names are embroidered on the left cuff, which adds a touch of quality.
Custom tailoring involves measuring, selecting fabrics, and creating shirts and skirts that fit one’s body shape. Upon entering Leader Tailor, I was surrounded by many precious fabrics. Second-generation tailor Heidi introduced me to their fabric suppliers, who have been in the business for over a hundred years. They are very particular about material selection.
When I was choosing the fabric for my shirt, it was hard to imagine how the whole piece of fabric would become clothing. At that moment, I wasn’t sure which colors, fabrics, or materials would suit me best. Heidi recommended a pink fabric that would be more suitable for me, but I couldn’t help but want to pick up and look at every fabric in sight . Ultimately, I realized that Heidi's recommendation was indeed the best choice for me, allowing my unique features to shine through (professional!).
Moreover, the custom suit process is actually quite fast; I can receive my garment in about a week. I was worried about changes in my body shape, but Li De thoughtfully included extra fabric in the seams, allowing the skilled tailors to make adjustments if needed in the future.
What I appreciate most is that, due to gaining some weight around my waist in recent years, I have a little belly. If I wear a narrow skirt, it becomes very obvious. However, because it was custom-made, they specially designed space for my lower abdomen, so it doesn’t show when I stand, and there’s still room for comfort. I don’t have to worry about looking bulky if I eat too much! XDD
In the past, people thought custom suits were only for male professionals, but actually, women can have custom suits as well. I wore this outfit to the **Taipei Education Expo** for my opening speech, and I also wore it when I met with Vice Chairman Hsieh Chien-Nan of PX Mart, which boosted my confidence.
Having a suit completely tailored for myself is truly important.
Professional QA
1. What’s the difference between custom clothing and ready-to-wear?
Ready-to-wear clothing is mass-produced, so when it comes to shirts, the sizes are based on average measurements. Rarely does someone’s body measurements match perfectly with ready-to-wear sizes. For example, fuller-figured women often have to compromise on fit, either sacrificing their waist or ending up with sleeves that are too wide or long. Custom clothing is made to measure, with cuts that fit the individual’s shape, and the craftsmanship is more refined. Additionally, custom tailoring offers complete personalization, allowing you to choose fabrics, collar styles, buttons, and more, creating a unique personal style.
2. What makes Leader Tailor different from other custom suit providers?
Leader Tailor was originally established to serve European and American business clients in hotels, so our designs and fabrics are more aligned with Western fashion trends. Moreover, we have our own tailoring team that works efficiently and can ensure quality control. The owner, with 55 years of experience, continues to pay attention to the latest fashion trends and innovates based on his experience.
3. What has kept the founder James’s passion alive after 55 years in the industry?
One reason is personal relationships, and another is a sense of mission! Many clients have become good friends, and for him, the shop is a place to gather with friends. Some clients have been coming for three generations. He hopes to pass on the craftsmanship and believes that authentic handmade suits can be appreciated and understood by the new generation. He often sees poorly fitting Korean-style suits on the street and shakes his head in disapproval.
Additionally, there’s a responsibility toward the tailors who have followed him, as they’ve come a long way from apprentices to seasoned professionals, and some of them even have grandchildren now.
4. What are the differences between custom shirts for women and men?
At Li De, the standard styles for custom shirts are generally more formal and suitable for pairing with business attire. If women want to add ruffles, lace decorations, or similar dress-like designs, the cost will be higher, usually starting at around 5,000 TWD. The most significant difference in the making process is the type of interfacing used; men use stiffer interfacing, while women typically use more flexible options.
5. Do you offer custom jackets for women? Is there a demand for custom shirts for women? Any special stories?
Yes, we also offer complete custom suits for women, though the demand is about one-tenth that of men. Before Heidi returned to work at the store, the owner hadn’t taken on female custom orders for a long time. The tailor who specialized in women’s custom wear had passed away, and due to low demand, that department was not continued.
However, when the second generation started helping out and needed custom work clothes, many clients' wives or girlfriends expressed interest in having custom suits. With the increasing number of female supervisors in recent years, the demand has risen significantly. In response to client requests, the owner specifically sought help from a retired female tailor who had previously made clothes for Soong Mei-ling.
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Feel free to let me know if you need any adjustments or further assistance!
This is my first experience getting a custom suit, and they even designed space for my lower abdomen! Due to my work, I need to pay more attention to the first impression I give. The first step in transforming my image is to get a suit that can enhance my personal qualities and style.
This time, I collaborated with Hui Ling, who has an exceptional eye for style. Our English names are embroidered on the left cuff, which adds a touch of quality.
Custom tailoring involves measuring, selecting fabrics, and creating shirts and skirts that fit one’s body shape. Upon entering Leader Tailor, I was surrounded by many precious fabrics. Second-generation tailor Heidi introduced me to their fabric suppliers, who have been in the business for over a hundred years. They are very particular about material selection.
When I was choosing the fabric for my shirt, it was hard to imagine how the whole piece of fabric would become clothing. At that moment, I wasn’t sure which colors, fabrics, or materials would suit me best. Heidi recommended a pink fabric that would be more suitable for me, but I couldn’t help but want to pick up and look at every fabric in sight . Ultimately, I realized that Heidi's recommendation was indeed the best choice for me, allowing my unique features to shine through (professional!).
Moreover, the custom suit process is actually quite fast; I can receive my garment in about a week. I was worried about changes in my body shape, but Li De thoughtfully included extra fabric in the seams, allowing the skilled tailors to make adjustments if needed in the future.
What I appreciate most is that, due to gaining some weight around my waist in recent years, I have a little belly. If I wear a narrow skirt, it becomes very obvious. However, because it was custom-made, they specially designed space for my lower abdomen, so it doesn’t show when I stand, and there’s still room for comfort. I don’t have to worry about looking bulky if I eat too much! XDD
In the past, people thought custom suits were only for male professionals, but actually, women can have custom suits as well. I wore this outfit to the **Taipei Education Expo** for my opening speech, and I also wore it when I met with Vice Chairman Hsieh Chien-Nan of PX Mart, which boosted my confidence.
Having a suit completely tailored for myself is truly important.
Professional QA
1. What’s the difference between custom clothing and ready-to-wear?
Ready-to-wear clothing is mass-produced, so when it comes to shirts, the sizes are based on average measurements. Rarely does someone’s body measurements match perfectly with ready-to-wear sizes. For example, fuller-figured women often have to compromise on fit, either sacrificing their waist or ending up with sleeves that are too wide or long. Custom clothing is made to measure, with cuts that fit the individual’s shape, and the craftsmanship is more refined. Additionally, custom tailoring offers complete personalization, allowing you to choose fabrics, collar styles, buttons, and more, creating a unique personal style.
2. What makes Leader Tailor different from other custom suit providers?
Leader Tailor was originally established to serve European and American business clients in hotels, so our designs and fabrics are more aligned with Western fashion trends. Moreover, we have our own tailoring team that works efficiently and can ensure quality control. The owner, with 55 years of experience, continues to pay attention to the latest fashion trends and innovates based on his experience.
3. What has kept the founder James’s passion alive after 55 years in the industry?
One reason is personal relationships, and another is a sense of mission! Many clients have become good friends, and for him, the shop is a place to gather with friends. Some clients have been coming for three generations. He hopes to pass on the craftsmanship and believes that authentic handmade suits can be appreciated and understood by the new generation. He often sees poorly fitting Korean-style suits on the street and shakes his head in disapproval.
Additionally, there’s a responsibility toward the tailors who have followed him, as they’ve come a long way from apprentices to seasoned professionals, and some of them even have grandchildren now.
4. What are the differences between custom shirts for women and men?
At Li De, the standard styles for custom shirts are generally more formal and suitable for pairing with business attire. If women want to add ruffles, lace decorations, or similar dress-like designs, the cost will be higher, usually starting at around 5,000 TWD. The most significant difference in the making process is the type of interfacing used; men use stiffer interfacing, while women typically use more flexible options.
5. Do you offer custom jackets for women? Is there a demand for custom shirts for women? Any special stories?
Yes, we also offer complete custom suits for women, though the demand is about one-tenth that of men. Before Heidi returned to work at the store, the owner hadn’t taken on female custom orders for a long time. The tailor who specialized in women’s custom wear had passed away, and due to low demand, that department was not continued.
However, when the second generation started helping out and needed custom work clothes, many clients' wives or girlfriends expressed interest in having custom suits. With the increasing number of female supervisors in recent years, the demand has risen significantly. In response to client requests, the owner specifically sought help from a retired female tailor who had previously made clothes for Soong Mei-ling.
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Feel free to let me know if you need any adjustments or further assistance!