Mak's Hong Kong Custom Tailors

SUMMARY: Forget them. I had shirts that needed the sleeves shortened. I brought in 6 shirts (out of about 20) as a test, and after picking them up, I tried on a first one to find that while they raised the cuffs, the sleeve slit with a middle cuff button was cut and shortened and not moved. This isn't how it should be done. I then tried on a second shirt. The sleeves were shortened 3/4" too much and - get this - the right cuff was attached to the left sleeve and the left sleeve was attached to the right sleeve. I can no longer wear this shirt. When I first went to the store, the father (?) was measuring me by starting at the shoulder seam. As each style shirt runs differently, measuring this way produces different results. A tailor should measure from the middle of your back, below your neck at your spine. He refused to listen to my instructions even though I repeatedly asked him to do it the correct way - he shrugged as if he was right - but I was in the clothing business and know better. His son intervened but it didn't help. Never again. And to think I was going to have a sport jacket and pants made there. Forget them. Ruined shirts. And they do this as a profession?

I needed two pairs of nice slacks and two sports coats tailored since my legs and arms are too short to box with God and since these were somewhat expensive items, I was a little leery of using the many dry cleaners in the area that offer tailoring. So I looked at the recommended tailors on the very popular menswear blog the sartorialist (http://thesartorialist.blogspot.com) and chose Mak's.

I called them for prices for hemming the pants and shortening the jackets and then after visiting the shop and getting measured, I was shocked when the receipt showed double the price I was quoted. They also stated that I could only pay them in cash. After complaining that the charges were higher than I was quoted (double!), it was explained that tailoring is tougher than it looks. Whatever - NY is an expensive town, so I let it slide.

When I returned for my items 4 or 5 days later, they couldn't find my slacks. Turns out no one had worked on them and after I went ape, they promised to bring them to my building a couple of hours later with the alterations completed. I was happy to get the pants that night and every thing fit "ok". I asked for a little more cuff to show on the jackets and I was disappointed that they were altered to the standard American length.

All in all, for what I got, I would have been just as happy visiting my local dry cleaner. I know it would have been a whole lot cheaper.

Getting frustrated. I think Mak is the trusted guy on the block, so he's overworked. Now there are other people doing the work in back and they're not doing a great job.

I bought a top on super-sale and needed the loose beading sewn back into place. I gave them the extra baggy of beads that came with the top and assumed my purchase was in good hands. When I took it home the following week, the beading was still loose, one bead had popped out of the setting, and I realized they hadn't returned the bag of extra beads. I called and Mak said he will look for the extra beads and fix the mistakes. Here's hoping!

Tops for Tailoring!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Easy going and knowledgible staff have always been very helpful with advice and the tailoring is very solid.

have had many pants and blazers altered here and they always come out looking sharp. Try the custom shirts and you will not be disapointed with the large selection of fabrics

Best,

TODD

I've brought a number of skirts and dresses in over the past few months and have been very happy with the work. It is quite pricey, but I also know I am getting an honest opinion and not just being encouraged to make unnecessary alterations. I was even told not to bother touching one piece because the fit was nearly perfect. That kind of work ethic is hard to find.

Mac used to be great, but that was then. They've reuined my very expensive jeans, took out original hems. Quality has gone one way-down!!

They do first rate work. Gone to them for 8 years. Always on time. IMO quite reasonable in price.

They have done a fine job on technical things that other tailors are hard pressed to do well (e.g., shoulder pad reductions in sport coats). Have had them take in and let out a number of tailored wool men's sport coats, blazers, suits and pants. Good advice on avoiding extreme trends in fit.

They also took good and kind care of my pop (when he was in his late 80s). Corrected fit in his wonderful collection of 1970s J Press tweed sport coats (as he shed height and weight).