Suited Up in Hoi An: Our Experience in Custom Tailoring

Alright guys, welcome back to another blog post after a very long hiatus of blog posts. After a refreshing two-month vacation, we’re back, and we wanted to kick things off by sharing a very special experience we had while we were in Vietnam. A little backstory: the main reason for our trip was to attend a really good friend’s destination wedding. Since we were heading there anyway, we decided to get most of our clothes made in the country. The area we visited is incredibly well known for its custom-tailored clothes, so it was definitely something we were planning on doing all along.

The Great Tailor Hunt: Choosing Shop

Our hunt for the perfect tailor began the moment we arrived. We literally landed, checked into our hotel, and went straight to the city to scope out a couple of places. That first night, we managed to check out two different spots before we got too tired and called it a night. The next day, we were back at it, visiting three other shops. The fifth and final spot we went to was a place called Blue by Miss Tam Tam, which was actually recommended to us by our friend, the bride, as some of her wedding party was also going there.

We immediately got a good feeling from the shop. There was a lot of traffic when we got there, with plenty of workers, options, and styles on display. We liked the look of some of the things we saw, so we decided to sit down and figure out some suits. The staff, especially Miss Tam Tam herself, were just really, really awesome. They took the time to explain everything to us, making us feel comfortable right away.

Step-by-Step: The Tailoring Process

The journey from a simple idea to a finished garment was fascinating. Initially, Shariff just wanted to get a suit for the wedding, and I wanted to get a matching three-piece suit. The design process is very collaborative; they sketch a quick picture of your inspiration, take photos of you, and even take pictures of any inspiration outfits you bring in. You can also bring an existing piece of clothing that you love the fit of, and they can replicate it for you.

When it came to fabrics, it was an educational experience. Shariff went in with the mindset of getting a really fancy, bespoke-type of suit made from 100% wool, but you quickly realize that’s not what Hoi An tailoring is about. Most of the tailors offer a similar blend of fabric; the main things that differ are the patterns and the colors available. One really cool option we loved was the ability to choose a unique fabric for the inside lining of a jacket. For example, you could pick a funky design for the inside of your jacket, and your partner could get a dress made from that same fabric.

But the part of the process that truly amazed us was the measurement. It was unlike anything we’d experienced before. Here in the U.S., measurements are pretty standard: chest, waist, neck, and down your arm. There, they measured us in so many different places that I didn’t even know existed. They literally measure everything—your crotch, your calves, every single body part. And it wasn’t just one measurement per part; they took so many different measurements of the same body part to ensure the final product would be perfectly custom-made to fit you exactly as you are.

The 48-Hour Transformation: Fittings & Adjustments

The turnaround time was just as impressive as the process itself. We went back the very next day for our initial fitting, and it was already really good. We only had to request a few alterations. I was so impressed that, during that first fitting, I decided to add on another dress to our order. The shop wanted us to come back later in the day to finalize everything, but because I had to go to the rehearsal dinner, we didn’t have time. This wasn’t a problem, though. Shariff simply came back on the morning of the wedding to pick up his suit. It was crazy that it was ready so quickly!.

The Grand Reveal: Our Finished Outfits!

We ended up with an incredible haul of custom clothing. Shariff got two suits—one plaid and one linen—along with a pair of dress pants and a shirt. I got a linen dress to match Shariff’s suit, a plaid skirt to match his other suit, and my own three-piece beige suit. The green dress I added on during the fitting was a full-length, long-sleeve, flowy dress with a corset-style lace-up back and a zipper on the side. I loved it so much when they made it that I asked for the exact same one in a darker blue color.

Because we had spent over $1,000 at her shop, Miss Tam Tam also threw in a few complimentary items. We each received a really nice dress shirt made from a brown bamboo material, and she even made us another complimentary suit! The final products were stunning. Shariff looked so good, and the suit fit him so nicely. For me, the sage green and dark blue dresses were the two best things I could have ever gotten made; they literally blew me away.

The Nitty-Gritty: Cost, Timeline, and What to Expect

Let’s talk details. We like to keep it transparent with you guys; in total, we spent over $1,000 for all our outfits. While it’s not cheap, it is way more affordable than what you would pay for custom work here in America. The pricing can be a little confusing at first because they want you to list everything you’re interested in and then they will give you a final price for the bundle. This is because if you’re getting more items, they can give you a fairer, more reasonable price since you’re bringing them more business. To give you some perspective, our friend Hector got a full linen set made for about $70.

The timeline is unbelievably fast. Shariff’s suit could have been done in 24 to 36 hours. The fact that he picked it up literally the morning of the wedding just proves how efficient they are.

The Verdict: Was It Worth It?

One hundred percent, yes. It’s pretty rare that you see us rave about a shop or a service, but they were just really, really deserving. The whole experience was just so cool. The staff at Blue by Miss Tam Tam makes you feel really comfortable, and Miss Tam Tam herself is just so down-to-earth, sincere, and kind. They work with you really well; they even took my number and would message me on WhatsApp with any questions or clarifications.

Honestly, I couldn’t have had a better experience. If you ever find yourself in Hoi An, we highly recommend you visit Blue by Miss Tam Tam. Her shop is amazing, with a spacious storefront and incredible staff and options. If we ever go back, I would love to visit the shop and get more clothes done. I would get that dress made in every single color; it’s gorgeous. That was our experience, and we hope this helps you on your own tailoring adventure!