Trustworthy Tailors For Bespoke Suits & Custom Clothing

**Me Jamie, your host, I am English and I have lived in Hong Kong since January 2nd 1972 - I know the place.**

**A blog post with a difference**
**Please do visit Hong Kong | Travel, Tourism, Tours, Tips, Daily Life and my personal thoughts on Hong Kong.**
**Hong Kong | Pearl of the Orient**

Learn more | Go here for the Hong Kong Michelin Restaurant Guide which includes the Bib Gourmand Category

Learn more | Time Out Magazine Hong Kong - the best art and entertainment, food and drink, attractions, hotels + things to do

Learn more | J3's Hong Kong Insider Chat - a new way to discover Hong Kong

Customised Private Tours & Experiences in Amazing Hong Kong

Pearl of the Orient

Private Tours Cultural Tours Walking Tours Sightseeing Tours City Tours Night Tours Layover Tours Shore Excursions

Carefully Crafted Personalised and Customised Itineraries by Jamie | Hong Kong’s Most Experienced Private Tour Guide For :

Solo Travellers Friends Families Seniors Couples Business People

J3 Group Hong Kong | J3 Consultants Hong Kong | J3 Private Tours Hong Kong

Creating Memories That Will Last A Lifetime

The Top 10 Tailors in Hong Kong for Tourists in 2026

Trustworthy Tailors For Bespoke Suits & Custom Clothing

click on the image to enlarge

Sam’s the Tailor | Legendary Tailor | Hong Kong

Helping Tourists to choose the best mens and ladies Tailors in Hong Kong

The very difficult task of recommending a great Tailor in Hong Kong

This is the top 10 list that has been prepared for me

click on any image to enlarge

Top 10 List | Legendary & Trustworthy Tailors | Hong Kong

I have lived in Hong Kong since January 2nd 1972 and in mid 1972 I was introduced to the world of custom tailoring by my best friend Ravi Narain in Hong Kong.

I was 11 at the time, I went to an International School and I quickly became friends with Ravi, his family was very well off and his Dad was a bit of a legend because of his tailor shop in the iconic Hilton Hotel (demolished 30 years ago)

We used to visit it after school and on weekends, I just loved hanging out in the Hilton Hotel and mixing with rich folk

Later in the 1970's my older sister dated for a few years a young Chinese chap whose father owned a terrific bespoke Tailors Shop in Princes Building opposite the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in the Central Business District, I used to hang out there quite a bit and learnt quite a lot about bespoke tailoring.

.. I also discovered Sam’s the Tailor in the early 1980's, they had this tiny shop in the Burlington Arcade in TST, Kowloon (great location) and yes, they still operate from the same shop in 2025.

I became friends with 2nd Generation “Sam”, real name Manu they are an Indian family and over the decades they became famous for making bespoke clothes for all manner of celebrities and good friends with the 3rd Generation “Sam” and Roshan is still rocking and rolling in 2025 going into 2026

:History and Timeline of Sam's Tailor

Sam's Tailor, often hailed as one of Hong Kong's most iconic bespoke tailoring establishments, embodies the city's post-war boom in custom suiting, blending Indian craftsmanship with British colonial influences. Founded amid Hong Kong's transformation into a global trade hub, the shop has evolved from a modest uniform maker for British forces to a celebrity-favored atelier renowned for its speed, discretion, and affordability. Its story is deeply tied to the Melwani family, Sindhi Indians who immigrated to Hong Kong in the mid-20th century, part of a wave of Indian merchants and artisans drawn to the British colony's opportunities.

Here's a concise timeline of key milestones:

Year(s)Event

Pre-1957 | Naraindas "Sam" Melwani, a Sindhi Indian immigrant from northern India, arrives in Hong Kong and enters the tailoring trade, capitalizing on the demand for affordable custom work among British expatriates and military personnel

1957 | Sam's Tailor opens at its current location in Burlington Arcade, 90-94C Nathan Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon. Sam secures a contract to produce uniforms for British soldiers stationed in Hong Kong, establishing the shop as one of the few official military tailors (alongside Yuen's Tailor). This military focus builds its early reputation for precision and quick turnaround.

1960s-1980s | Expansion into civilian bespoke suiting amid Hong Kong's economic surge. The shop gains international acclaim through high-profile clients, including U.S. presidents and British royalty visiting during the colonial era. By the 1980s, it's featured in global media like The New York Times for its "24-hour suit" service - custom garments delivered in under a day for an extra fee.

1997 | Hong Kong's handover to China ends the British military contract, but the shop pivots seamlessly to tourists, celebrities, and locals, leveraging its fame to attract 9 million annual visitors.2001Former U.S. President Bill Clinton visits, ordering suits and posing for photos with owner Manu Melwani and his son Roshan—cementing its status as a "must-visit" for dignitaries

2007 | 50th anniversary marked by a commemorative Hong Kong postage stamp, honoring its cultural significance.

2014-2015 | Wins the SME Award at the Hong Kong Business Awards (2014) and the HKMA Quality Award (2015) for management excellence and adaptability

2020-2022 | COVID-19 border closures hit tourism hard, prompting a digital pivot. Third-generation owner Roshan Melwani launches viral TikTok and Instagram content (e.g., comedic suit fittings), earning the nickname "TikTok Tailor" and amassing millions of followers. Collaborations like with BNV Fashion introduce digital elements to traditional tailoring.

2023-2025 | Continued social media dominance attracts Gen Z clients; partnerships with schools and eco-friendly initiatives (e.g., limited-edition shoe charms). By 2025, the shop employs over 50 staff, produces up to 30 suits daily, and remains a global brand despite economic challenges, with suits starting under $500—far below Savile Row equivalents.

Owners and Succession of "Sam"

The Melwani family, of Sindhi Indian heritage, has helmed the shop across four generations, with "Sam" evolving from a literal name to a symbolic title passed down like a mantle. This succession reflects a blend of tradition and innovation, ensuring the business's continuity in a competitive industry dominated by Indian tailors in Tsim Sha Tsui.

Naraindas "Sam" Melwani (Founder d. ~1980s)

The original "Sam," an Indian immigrant who started as a fabric trader before tailoring. He embodied the shop's ethos of discretion and speed, personally overseeing military contracts and early celebrity fittings. His vision turned a small workshop into a family legacy.

Manu Melwani (Second Generation, Current Co-Owner):

Sam's eldest son, who took over in the 1980s. Often called "Sam" by clients, Manu expanded the clientele to include world leaders and modernized operations while preserving hand-stitching techniques. He's received personal honors, like a medal from Hong Kong authorities, for elevating the brand.

Roshan Melwani (Third Generation, Current Lead Proprietor):

Manu's son (born ~1977), who joined at age 23 after studying business at NYU and working in London. Now the public face, Roshan is the "walking persona" of the shop—charismatic, opinionated, and digitally savvy. He works alongside his uncle Sham Melwani (another of Sam's sons) and emphasizes fashionable, client-dictated designs. In 2025, he's positioned the business for younger audiences, praising traditionalism while critiquing "wokeness" in interviews.

Fourth Generation (Emerging):

While not yet official, Roshan's content hints at involving younger family members, ensuring the "Sam" title persists.

The succession isn't rigid; family members collaborate, with Roshan handling marketing and client relations, Manu focusing on quality control, and Sham on production. This multi-generational involvement—now spanning 68 years—has kept the shop in one location, fostering loyalty among staff and clients.

Why Called "Sam's Tailor" (Despite Indian Owners)?

The name is a direct homage to founder Naraindas Melwani, nicknamed "Sam" (a shortened, anglicized form of his name, common among Sindhi merchants adapting to British colonial life). It wasn't a marketing ploy but a practical choice: simple, memorable, and personal in an era when Indian tailors like the Harilelas or Mohans were proliferating in Hong Kong. The apostrophe ("Sam's") underscores its family-owned intimacy.

As Indian immigrants, the Melwanis drew from centuries-old Sindhi tailoring traditions - affordable, high-volume bespoke work honed in Rajasthan and Gujarat - while catering to British tastes. Hong Kong's colonial context amplified this: Indians filled niches in trade and crafts, with over 70 Sindhi tailors forming the Mail Order Association in 1970 for quality standards. "Sam's" became synonymous with reliability, much like "Savile Row" in London, but at a fraction of the cost. Clients still call Manu and Roshan "Sam," perpetuating the moniker as a brand hallmark rather than a literal identity.

Famous Clients

Sam's Tailor boasts a "Hall of Fame" wall of autographed photos, drawing from British royalty, U.S. presidents, and pop culture icons who valued its speed (e.g., suits for Hong Kong layovers) and privacy. Here's a curated list by category:

Royalty and Heads of State:

• Queen Elizabeth II

• Prince Philip

• King Charles (then Prince of Wales)

• U.S. Presidents: Ronald Reagan, Gerald Ford, George H.W. Bush, George W. Bush, Bill Clinton

• UK Prime Ministers: Margaret Thatcher, Tony Blair

• Australian Prime Minister: Bob Hawke

Celebrities and Entertainers:

Musicians: Michael Jackson, Prince (unphotographed for discretion), Bruno Mars, George Michael, David Bowie, Kylie Minogue, Luciano Pavarotti

Actors:

Russell Crowe, Richard Gere, Naomi Campbell, Sigourney Weaver

Athletes/Other:

Boris Becker (tennis), John McEnroe (tennis)

Additional notables:

Luca Marchesi (opera), Michael McElligott (photographer)

These clients often visited incognito, with the shop's no-photos policy (except posed shots) ensuring confidentiality. Clinton's 2001 visit, for instance, involved Roshan personally fitting him between Secret Service sweeps.

Reputation: From Opening to 2025

Sam's Tailor has maintained a stellar yet polarizing reputation over nearly seven decades—universally praised for value and speed, occasionally critiqued for rushed quality in high-volume scenarios. Its arc mirrors Hong Kong's tailoring evolution: from colonial utility to tourist icon to digital disruptor.

1957-1990s (Colonial Era):

Built on military reliability, earning "unquestioned quality and discretion" among elites. Media like The New York Times (1984 onward) lauded it as a "bargain bespoke" haven, with suits undercutting Western prices by 70-80%. No major scandals; word-of-mouth from troops and expats solidified its fame.

2000s-2010s (Global Brand):

Peaked with Clinton's visit and awards; Forbes (2013) called it "the world's most famous tailor" for $500 wool suits. TripAdvisor reviews averaged 4.5/5, highlighting friendly service, free beer, and lifetime alterations. Drawbacks: Crowded, chaotic fittings in the tiny shop.

2020s (Digital Resilience):

COVID forced innovation; Roshan's TikToks (15M+ views by 2023) went viral for humor (e.g., "butt-smacking" fittings), rebranding suits as "cool for kids" and boosting Gen Z visits. Vogue HK (2025) noted its shift from Clinton to Bruno Mars, while South China Morning Post praised modernization.

Yelp/TripAdvisor (2025) hold 4-4.5 stars: 80% rave about "perfect fits" and "exemplary work" (e.g., "best bespoke I've had from London to Istanbul"), but 20% cite inconsistencies like poor refunds or "overhyped" quality for rushed jobs.

Overall, its 2025 reputation is robust— a "tourist must" with 68 years of heritage, blending old-school charm (hand measurements, premium fabrics like Zegna) with viral appeal. Critics on Reddit/Styleforum call it "ordinary" for purists, but for most, it's unbeatable value: fast, fun, and fit for fame. As Roshan quips, "We're not self-made; we're heirs to hard work."

If visiting, book ahead—it's still the heart of Hong Kong's "Golden Mile" of tailoring.

Additional Comments

So here is the thing, I generally do not like recommending visiting particular retail outlets to my Private Tour Guests and NOT ONCE have I taken a commission for referrals, I am not interested in that, I just want my guests to be looked after properly

So when it comes to tailors I now have a different way of looking at things.and I am happy to give them a list if they want one.

I wanted to prepare a list of the top 10 Tailors in Hong Kong for Mens and Ladies bespoke clothing so I enlisted the help of my trusty AI friend and gave detailed parameters for preparing the list, the list will save me a lot of time!

Please see the list in the 5 images above

To be honest I was surprised when I saw that Sam’s Tailor and Baron Kays Tailor had not made the list

I have been to Baron Kays Tailors quite a few times over the past 15 years, this was with guests who had found them on their own accord and wanted me to get them to the showroom and make sure that everything was in order.

Sam’s is a different kettle of fish, I have been going there since I was a kid and not for a moment have I regretted it.

I have not been to Sam’s since 2020 when Hong Kong closed it’s borders to tourists for 3 years and since getting back into doing tours no one has asked me to take them there and I have not kept up with how they have been doing, so them not making the list is a surprise to me.

One of these days I will pop in and talk shop with Roshan who is quite a celebrity in his own right these days, it is always an experience as it is always jammed and it is such a tiny shop.!

So the list stands as it is, I am quite sure the Tailors on the list are amazing, I am aware of them all, so no issues however if people ask I will also tell them to make a visit to Sam’s the Tailor for the experience!