Fabric & Tailor Market in Shanghai II (Part 1)

  Admittedly, until recently, I never had the confidence to have my business shirts made at the Fabric & Tailor market at Lu Jia Bang Road. Yes, I know there are some good tailors there. But selecting a random one without the recommendations from others is akin to a blind date and is too much of a risk to take at times. You never know what you are going to get.

Anyway, on one fine day, I decided to cast all my reservations aside and get some shirts done. If the final output turned out to be bad, I would take that as a lesson learnt.

I called up Jennifer, whom I secretly nicknamed "The Bargainer" (for her sharp tongue when it comes to tough task of  bargaining) to come along. Having ran two small boutiques before,  she has a keen eye on the best prices for clothing,fabric and fashion.

Turned out, she had never been there before and was keen to make a trip to the fabric market too. She went to Maoming Road a few days earlier and was quoted RMB900 for a qipao. All prepared to shell out that figure, she thought it would be a good idea to get a second quotation.

We arranged and met just outside the Fabric Market. For first timers going there, the fabric market is about 15 mins away from the Bund. Tell the taxi driver "Fabric Market at Lu Jia Bang Road". They all know the place.

Inside the building are seven levels of shops selling anything and everything fabric related, in bulk or in piecemeal. Almost all claimed to be "the best".

We took our time to look through all almost all the shops. After about 40 mins or so, Jennifer decided on which shop she wanted her qipaos to be made. I accompanied her and she swiftly concluded a deal for half the price she was quoted at MaoMing Road. Quality of the fabric is almost the same too. Like any woman, she was happy she got a good deal.

It was my turn next and I have absolutely no idea which shop to patronize. Jennifer then suggested one of the shop at level 3 where we saw many "lao wai" (foreigners). We rationalize that they must be there due to word of mouth recommendations from other tourists or their tailoring skills could be more attuned to western taste, which is a good thing. A good idea indeed.

We went in and talked to the shop owner abit. The owner was so confident of the tailoring skills that he refused to give any discount initially.

Anyway, I liked what I saw there and decided to get five business shirts done. Each at a price of RMB100 which is around US$15. If you are coming from the US, to say this is a great deal is an understatement. On hearing that I would be getting  five shirts tailored, the owner decided to give me a RMB10 discount for each shirt as a "special discount".

I got measured up, selected the design for the cuffs and collars and left. The shirts would be ready three days later. For additonal RMB 30, you can get the shirts delivered to your door step or office. They even deliver overseas via courier if you cant wait. I opted for delivery as I didnt feel like  making a trip back to collect the shirts.  My cab fare would have been about RMB30 anyway.

The exterior view of the Fabric Market (below).

Oh, the Silk Market is just opposite too.

To be contd....

Comments

[Marilyn Terrell]

I can't wait to see how the shirts turned out!

[catherine]

Hi,
I am off to Shanghai next week for the first tme - we only have three days there. Are you able to advise me on the best place to get ladies dresses replicated?
Thanks

[chee8218]

Tried tailored made man suites & lady cashmere and were ready to collect the next day. Quality ok. Man suite around RMB 350 (believe is high as the man is "Lao Wai") and cashmere was RMB 300.

[David]

Hi Catherine,

For ladies dresses, you can try MaoMing Road boutique street or the Fabric Market mentioned above.

The fabric market should be able to replicate the dresses faster than the ones at Mao Ming. But the quality and workmanship of the tailors in Maoming Road is much better.