Hello, everyone, and welcome to another of my articles. In this review, I’ll be chronicling my sophomore experience at Reign Custom Tailors.
I first visited Reign Custom Tailors back in early 2024, and detailed my experience here. In short, I loved the double-breasted look they did for me, which came across as classic and timeless. As such, I decided to return to Reign Custom Tailors during my recent trip to Bangkok for a second look.
Reign Custom Tailors – Video
If you’re interested in seeing some hands-on footage of my experience with Reign Custom Tailors, do watch the YouTube video below:
Reign Custom Tailors – the Experience
For those uninitiated with the brand, Reign Custom Tailors is situated in the Bang Rak district, away from the hustle and bustle (as well as tourist traps) of Sukhumvit.
Look out for their brown and gold signboard – you can’t miss it.
Like a proper tailor, rolls of fabric line the walls, giving customers plenty of options to choose from.
If you don’t find something you like in the fabric rolls, Reign Custom Tailors also has plenty of fabric books available, including from esteemed European mills such as VBC.
Stepping into the store, I was warmly greeted by the sibling duo of Ravin and Nimarta. It’s rare to see a sibling-run tailoring business, much less one by the younger generation. As compared to most Bangkok tailors (which are helmed by the older generation), it was a breath of fresh air to interact with Ravin and Nimarta, who not only spoke perfect English (Nimarta actually did her tertiary education in Singapore) but also immediately related to my style choices.
This time around, I relayed to Ravin that I wanted to do a classic three-piece suit. In response, he promptly broke out numerous fabric books for me to peruse.
I really liked the grey pinstripe suit that we did previously, and was thus searching for another grey fabric, albeit in a different pattern. A charcoal grey birdseye fabric caught my eye, and I communicated my interest to Ravin.
Ravin then showed me a medium grey birdseye fabric from another book, which I also really liked. Seeing that I was undecided, Ravin promptly brought out their fabric rolls for me to have a better feel.
Unlike most Singaporean tailors, Thai tailors (like Reign Custom Tailors) carry their fabric in bulk, which allows them to show customers the whole roll of the fabric that they are interested in. Ravin shared with me that they even have a curated selection of premium fabrics (from mills such as VBC) in rolls for clients to view and feel. After feeling both materials, however, I was still undecided and requested that Ravin and his team drape both on me.
After feeling both materials, however, I was still undecided and requested that Ravin and his team drape both on me. Once I saw both fabric rolls on my body, I was able to visualise the look better, and promptly chose the medium grey (left in the above photo) fabric – I felt the charcoal grey was too mature and serious for me.
With the fabric decided, it was time to choose the buttons. On Ravin’s recommendation, I opted for greyish black horn buttons, which provide a subtle contrast to the medium grey birdseye fabric. I’ve covered the Reign tailoring process in depth in my first article, so I’ll gloss over the details here.
As for the lining, I left it to Ravin to decide – I told him to surprise me.
After selecting a peach coloured fabric for the shirt, we also opted for a subtle monogram on the shirt cuff. Tailoring is about making clothing personal after all, and there’s no better way to achieve that than a monogram.
Next, Ravin shared about their new custom polo tee offerings, stating that it was an offering to cater to the increasingly casual dress code of workplaces. Like a standard shirt, customers can choose from a variety of customisation options, such as the type of collar, placket, monograms, etc. I eventually opted for a mandarin collar polo tee in navy blue – I don’t have a mandarin collar polo tee, and it’s hard to find one off the rack.
After two days, I returned for my basted fitting. For those uninitiated in tailoring, a basted fitting process involves trying on a skeleton jacket, held together by temporary white basting stitches. For more information on the basted fitting stage, do read this educational article here. To me, a basted fitting stage is essential to an actual tailoring experience. To quote a line from the article above: “It’s the difference between flying first class and flying on a private jet.” Not only does it contribute to a better-fitting garment, but it is also an experience to behold in itself.
Like previously, Ravin oversaw the fitting. First, we tried on the vest.
Right off the bat, I felt the vest fit well – snug, but not overly tight – and the vest was also long enough so that my dress shirt was not exposed. Ravin recommended a 5-button look (each pin denotes a button), and I agreed.
Ravin then shared that he opted for a purple, slightly iridescent lining for the back of the vest – something that’s visually striking, but still subtle and relatively professional.
Next, we tried on the basted jacket.
First, Ravin showed me the lining that he had picked – a fun lining that pays homage to Thai culture. As a frequent traveller to Bangkok, I love Thai culture a lot (I’m also trying to learn Thai, but with little success), so I adored this lining.
Ravin then highlighted that he added additional padding to balance out my sloping shoulders, so that the jacket drapes beautifully on both sides.
However, he did find that the shoulders were cut too wide, and proceeded to use chalk to denote the required alteration.
As this was a basted fitting, Ravin was able to “mimic” the alteration on the spot, giving the wearer (me) an immediate understanding of how the altered garment would look and feel. This highlights the importance of a basted fitting and why it’s essential to a true tailoring experience.
Next, Ravin and Rajan attached the sleeves to the basted fitting jacket. This allows them to nail the sleeve pitch, which is dependent on the individual’s posture.
Ravin then requested that I sit and test the comfort of the trousers. Additionally, he was also looking at whether the cuffs of the trousers flare up excessively, which should not be the case. He mentioned that for a pair of well-fitted trousers, the cuffs should drape down beautifully after standing up without getting caught.
Furthermore, Ravin highlighted that cuffs (aside from aesthetics) have a functional usage – as they carry weight, they allow the trousers to drape better.
Thereafter, Ravin shifted his attention to the fit of my shirt. As I’ve sloping shoulders, alterations were needed to correct the excess fabric around the shoulders and sleeves. Ravin promptly used pins – quintessential tools of the trade – to denote the necessary changes.
Long-time readers will know that I’ve a concave back, which often causes issues for tailors. This remains true, necessitating Ravin to take in excess fabric at the back so that the shirt will drape better.
Lastly, I tried on the custom polo tee. It fits great – the polo tee accentuates both my shoulders and my non-existent biceps.
I also loved the mandarin collar design and appreciated how the contrasting buttonholes and button stitching add a pop of colour to the otherwise “safe” navy fabric.
As I was on a short trip, Reign Custom Tailors also offered to send the finished suit to my hotel room. I have to say that their suiting bag is probably the best I’ve tried amongst the Bangkok tailors – premium, with robust handles for easier carry.
I was also impressed with their hanger – it’s made of wood, and nicely signed with the Reign logo. It’s a small detail, but one that undoubtedly elevates the customer experience.
Reign Custom Tailors – Suit Review
Now that I’m back in sunny Singapore, let’s take a closer look at the fit and finish of the suit.
First and foremost, the front fits great, with the shoulders lying perfectly flat without any fabric wrinkling or bunching. There’s also no fabric bunching below the shoulders, which shows that Reign successfully accommodated my sloping shoulders. Furthermore, there is a slight tapering around the waist, preventing the suit from looking boxy. Lastly, the jacket is also the right length, ending near the base of my thumb bone.
Secondly, the sleeve pitch is nailed, with the sleeves draping smoothly with no twisting or bunching. It’s also of the right length, exposing about an inch of shirt cuff. In addition, the jacket rests neatly on the shirt collar without an unsightly collar gap.
However, I would say that the fit of the back can be improved. Unfortunately, there’s still substantial wrinkling due to my concave back, which is a shame. This highlights the limitations of a short timeframe – if you’re only in Bangkok for a few days, the tailors can usually only accommodate one fitting, so it’s hard to achieve a perfect fit. In contrast, local tailors can provide multiple fittings (resulting in a better fit), but at a significantly longer lead time of 1-2 months.
On a more positive note, the trousers drape cleanly, with a slight break for a classic look.
Moving on to the fabric, I have to say that I love this medium grey birdseye fabric. It’s definitely on the more conservative and formal side, but the birdseye texture gives it just enough visual interest to not be boring. It’s also fairly breathable on the skin – I can feel that it has a much higher wool content as compared to my previous suit from Reign Custom Tailors.
As this is a three-piece suit, we decided to opt for wider peak lapels, which provides more pizzazz with a Peaky Blinders vibe.
The ticket pocket also adds a nice retro touch and gives the suit a classic, English sense of sophistication.
Unlike most affordable Bangkok tailors, Reign Custom Tailors offer functional sleeve cuffs at no extra cost. Also known as surgeon’s cuffs, functional sleeve cuffs are also typically seen as a sign of quality workmanship. Furthermore, I like the greyish black horn buttons, which provide a subtle but elegant juxtaposition to the grey fabric. One can also see that the buttonholes have been cut cleanly, without any loose or fraying threads – another sign of thoughtful workmanship.
On the inside, I opted for a simple monogram of my name in yellow gold, which matched the pipe stitching running along the edges of the lining. I also adored the Thai-inspired lining, which incorporates a playful twist to the otherwise formal three-piece suit while also paying homage to the country where I got it tailored.
As always, I went for side-adjusters on my trousers for a cleaner look. Also note how the pant pockets feature edge stitching – a nice sartorial detail.
All in all, I enjoyed this three-piece ensemble from Reign Custom Tailors. The grey birdseye fabric is conservative, but not boring. The cut is classically British, but still contemporary, with subtle sartorial touches such as a ticket pocket, wide cuffed trousers, and wide peak lapels. I asked for a Peaky Blinders look, and this certainly nails the brief.
For a slightly less formal look, one can always ditch the tie. I actually prefer the look without the tie, where the shirt collar has more room to breathe. It also makes me look less like a groom about to be hitched, and more like a dapper professional.
For an even more casual style, one can also remove the jacket – especially if it’s after work, or perhaps lunch break. Even without the jacket, I still look dressed up.
This is also due to the purplish textured lining for the back of the vest, which has enough visual interest to be striking without being ostentatious.
As for the shirt, it’s a lovely “Snapple” colour – a peachy shade of pink, with subtle checks that complement the birdseye texture of the suiting fabric. I also opted for a simple monogram of my initials on the cuff, adding a tad of personalisation to the custom shirt.
Last but not least, the custom polo tee also turned out phenomenally. The navy fabric is sweat-wicking (excellent for Singapore’s humid weather), with the polo tee fitting well, especially around my arms.
To subtly denote that this is a custom polo tee, I opted for a tone-on-tone monogram of my surname on my left chest. It’s only perceptible up close, which encapsulates the quiet luxury theme of my latest commission from Reign Custom Tailors.
In fact, I loved wearing the polo tee with the grey suit, which makes for a great smart casual option. The navy polo fabric pairs well with the grey suiting fabric and is more comfortable than a traditional dress shirt. It’s formal enough for the workplace, but also casual enough for a nice dinner – this may be my favourite style to wear due to its versatility.
Conclusion – so Reign Custom Tailors “shiok” or not?
For my follow-up visit, I asked Ravin for a classic look that evokes the likes of Harvey Spector and Don Draper. With this three-piece grey birdseye suit, I believe Reign Custom Tailors has undoubtedly delivered on that front. I enjoy the classic and sharp fit, as well as the rakish touches sprinkled throughout the garments. Despite being a three-piece suit, it’s also a versatile ensemble where the formality can be easily dialled up or down – it can be worn with a tie, without a tie, without the jacket, or even with the polo tee in place of a dress shirt and vest. This is one that I know I can get a lot of mileage from, making this a great value proposition. If you’re searching for a timeless “old money” style in Bangkok, then Reign Custom Tailors will be up your alley.
Suits at Reign Custom Tailors start at 10,000 THB/~S$375, while shirts start at 2000 THB/~S$75. This specific three-piece suit costs 20,000 THB/~S$750, the “Snapple” dress shirt is 2000 THB/~S$75, while the custom polo tee has a price tag of 3500 THB/~S$140. Those interested in commissioning a suit from Reign Custom Tailors can quote the promo code “WAHSOSHIOK” or flash this article in-store to enjoy a 10% discount on all orders from Reign Custom Tailors. Reign Custom Tailors is also planning a US trunk show in September – if you’re based in the States, you can fill up this form here to sign up.
Book an appointment with Reign Custom Tailors here.
Reign Custom Tailors’ Location: 14, 16 Decho Rd, Suriya Wong, Bang Rak, Bangkok 10500, Thailand
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P.P.P.P.S Shiok is a common word Singaporeans use to express admiration or approval. As of 2016, you can find the definition of the word in the Oxford English Dictionary.
