Hello, everyone, and welcome to another of my articles. In this review, I’ll be introducing Meiko Tailor’s new showroom in Boat Quay, as well as its new sub-brand, Uncommon Hem.
I’ve reviewed various outfits from Meiko Tailor over the years: I wrote about my initial experience at Meiko Tailor here, and the fit/craftsmanship of the eventual suit here. I also reviewed a linen suit and a sports jacket here, a more casual ensemble here, and a smart casual outfit here. More recently, I reviewed a vintage Ermenegildo Zegna suit here.
However, those were all at Meiko Tailor’s Pan Pacific showroom, which they have been based out of for almost four decades. So when Adele (daughter of Uncle Chung) told me that they would be opening a second outlet in Boat Quay, I knew I had to check it out. Let’s see how my experience went.
Meiko Tailor – Video
Those interested in seeing some hands-on footage of Meiko Tailor’s new Boat Quay showroom can check out the YouTube video below:
Meiko Tailor – Showroom
In comparison to the old Pan Pacific showroom, the new Boat Quay atelier is significantly larger, featuring a more contemporary design.
Upon entering, I was warmly greeted by Adele, who shared that she would mainly oversee operations in the new Boat Quay showroom. At the same time, her dad (Uncle Chung) would continue to helm and serve regulars at their Pan Pacific outlet. When asked about the location, Adele relayed that she wanted to be closer to the CBD, as most of Meiko Tailor’s clientele are working professionals.
Adele also shared that the new Boat Quay atelier will also have an emphasis on womenswear, and promptly broke out a few female pieces such as power suits and dresses. She shared that she has seen an increasing number of women getting professional looks tailored, and highlighted Julie Yoo (Channel News Asia’s Asia First news anchor) as an example.
She also stressed that she designed several of the pieces, and that her pieces were conceived with soft power in mind. For example, the navy pinstripe sleeveless jacket in the photo above is meant to convey professionalism while also embracing femininity by showcasing the wearer’s arms.
To create a safe space, Adele has also separated the changing rooms – the female changing room features lace curtains that exude femininity, while…
…the men’s changing room features curtains with a fleur-de-lis design. It’s a small detail, but one that goes a long way and reveals the thought that Adele has put into designing the atelier. It also gives the showroom a unique touch – I’ve visited over 50 tailors, and this is the first time I’ve encountered separate changing rooms for men and women.
Of course, there’s still a “Men’s section”, where jackets, ties, and fabric books from esteemed European labels such as Loro Piana and Dormeuil are showcased. There’s also a consultation area, where guests can browse fabric books and select their customisation options.
If you can’t find what you’re looking for in the fabric books, you can also opt for the fabric rolls, which the staff at Meiko Tailor can drape over your body to help you visualise how it would look on you better.
I must admit, I really like the new showroom and its anachronistic nature, where it blends vintage touches with a modern look. A touch I really appreciated was the Olympia typewriter. Adele shared that she thought it would be cool for customers to leave a physical, typewritten review (which can be hung up), as opposed to Google Reviews (which can be faked). It’s a nice analogue touch that fits perfectly with the ethos of tailoring.
Another detail is the portrait of Chinese calligraphy, which was purchased by Uncle Chung in Chongqing. It’s a reminder that despite the modern facade, Meiko Tailor is still a heritage tailor helmed by Uncle Chung.
Yet, Meiko Tailor is also attempting to reinvent itself by appealing to the younger generation.
To that end, Adele has actually created a new sub-brand named Uncommon Hem, which Adele describes as “an edgier yet refined alternative to traditional bespoke tailoring”.
For starters, Uncommon Hem offers a range of ready-to-wear, such as ribbed polo shirts and jeans. Adele emphasises that though the pieces are ready-to-wear, they are made using premium fabrics and with the same craftsmanship that Meiko Tailor has been known for.
Furthermore, customers can also choose to customise their pieces. For example, if the customer likes the red jeans (pictured above), but not the yellow/blue threading, they can request that the stitching be of a different colour.
Many of the pieces are also made from sustainable fabrics, such as denim and linen, in more casual styles, including safari jackets and Hawaiian shirts. Adele forthrightly shared that this is targeted at the younger generation of consumers, most of whom don’t dress that formally even for work. Instead, the pieces are intended to be versatile – appropriate for both the office and also an after-work dinner date.
In a bid to expand their offerings, the new Uncommon Hem sub-brand also offers accessories, such as a lovely leather duffel bag. I was very impressed by Adele’s vision to create Uncommon Hem – even the name is thoughtful and unique. As such, I relayed to Adele that I would love to try out a shirt and jeans from Uncommon Hem’s collection, and left it to her to finalise the design details. After all, Adele prides herself as a designer (especially of female pieces), and I was curious to see how she would apply her creativity to menswear.
After three weeks, I returned to the Boat Quay atelier to try on the outfit: a blue oversized shirt comprised of two different fabrics, as well as a pair of straight-cut denim jeans.
Compared to my previous commissions from Meiko Tailor, this oversized look is markedly different – it’s more fashion-forward, something that a K-pop idol might wear to a media interview. Adele shared that the top striped portion of the shirt was made from leftover fabric (in a nod to sustainability), which also provides a nice textural contrast.
However, Adele did feel that the shirt was too oversized around my sloping shoulders, resulting in excess fabric (see photo above).
She promptly pinned up fabric around the shoulders to denote the necessary alterations. The effect was immediately apparent – the shirt drapes more cleanly around the shoulders, but still retains a casual, oversized look. To Adele, this encapsulates the ethos of Uncommon Hem, which is to offer trendy looks without compromising on fit and craftsmanship.
As for the jeans, they fit perfectly and required no alterations. I loved how Adele included a small monogram of “Wah!” on the jeans’ coin pocket as a subtle nod to this website. In fact, Adele shared that she chose yellow stitching to be paired with the navy denim as the colour combination reminded her of Wah So Shiok’s logo. Tailoring is essentially about creating deeply personal clothing – Uncommon Hem achieves that, just in a fresher style.
As someone used to wearing tailored clothing, this Uncommon Hem oversized look was a breath of fresh air. I was initially apprehensive about how it would turn out, but I found myself falling in love with the look. The oversized shirt makes my shoulders look broad and hides my belly, while the straight-cut denim jeans elongate my legs, making me look taller. It’s also a versatile look that is appropriate for almost all occasions, while still showing that effort has been made to dress up. Sometimes, when I wear a suit, I worry about being overdressed (especially if I’m meeting friends for dinner or drinks) – that’s not the case here.
Conclusion – so Meiko Tailor and Uncommon Hem “shiok” or not?
I must thank Adele for pushing me outside my fashion comfort zone. I’ve never been a fan of oversized garments (often associating them with YPs), but this Uncommon Hem look has shown me how an oversized shirt can be flattering, especially when paired with straight-cut trousers/jeans (i.e. not baggy). And as someone who has been tailoring with Meiko Tailor for over 7 years, I also recognise the effort that Adele has made in refreshing the brand. She shared that she does not want consumers to view Meiko Tailor as a has-been heritage “uncle” tailor, but rather an establishment that keeps up with current trends and constantly reinvents itself. It’s clear that a ton of effort has been poured into both the new Boat Quay atelier and Uncommon Hem – I can’t wait to see how this new chapter turns out for Meiko Tailor.
Currently, a 2-piece fully canvassed wool-blend suit from Meiko Tailor (poly-wool mix) starts at $1,890. As for Uncommon Hem, shirts and jeans (including customisation) start at $390 and $590, respectively. The current lead time is approximately 2-4 weeks; however, rushed orders can be fulfilled for an additional fee.
Those seeking a better deal can consider joining Meiko Tailor’s Upper Room membership. For $198, one not only gets a dress shirt, but also perks such as a $100 welcome voucher and substantial discounts on shirts and trousers. It’s a great way to try out Meiko Tailor’s services without breaking the bank.
Meiko Tailor’s new Boat Quay atelier is located on the second floor of 35A Boat Quay and is open daily from 10:30 am to 7:30 pm. Customers are encouraged to make an appointment via WhatsApp at +65 8180 6418 before heading down.
Meiko Tailor’s Boat Quay Location: 35A Boat Quay, Singapore 049825
Meiko Tailor’s Pan Pacific Location: 7 Raffles Blvd, #02-01 The Pan Pacific, Singapore 039595
P.S: Check out The Shiok Store here – it serves as a curation of my favourite products from my favourite brands.
P.P.S: Do check out the new “Discounts!” page for exclusive discounts for Wah so Shiok readers! More brands will be added very soon – stay tuned!
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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.
