Hello everyone, and welcome to another of my reviews. In this article, I’ll review a new suit from the local tailor Sors Studio.
I’ve been tailoring with Gary for over seven years now – I chronicled my experiences here, here, here, here, and most recently here. Unlike other tailors, Gary sees himself as an image consultant and prides himself on delivering unique looks that make his clients stand out. As such, I recently decided to return to Sors Studio for a summer look. Here’s how my experience went.
Sors Studio – YouTube Video
Those interested in a closer look at Gary’s image consultancy and tailoring services can watch the YouTube video below:
Sors Studio – My 2026 Experience
For those uninitiated with the brand, Sors Studio is located on the second floor of a shophouse on Arab Street, beside Fika Cafe. Just look for a patterned mailbox, and you’ll know you’re in the right place.
This time around, Gary shared that he had taken the initiative to use generative AI to create a visual mock-up of how a potential outfit might look on me. This represents one of the most significant changes since my previous visit in 2024. With the rapid advancement of AI, Gary explained that he can now give clients a realistic preview of how different garment designs may look on them even before they’ve selected their fabrics, making the design and decision-making process far more intuitive.
For this commission, Gary recommended a pastel green ensemble, centred around a textured royal blue jacket. He described it as an evolution of the pine green outfit we had previously created together, this time reimagined in a lighter, pastel colour palette. The softer tones evoke a relaxed, summery aesthetic, resulting in a look that feels more casual while remaining refined.
After I signalled my approval, Gary brought out a selection of fabrics for me to examine. For the jacket, he recommended a wool, cotton, and bi-stretch fabric from the Italian mill Guabello’s new Keasy collection, while the pastel green fabric for the trousers is a wool, silk, and linen blend from his house collection. Together, the two fabrics complement each other well, balancing texture, comfort, and a relaxed summer aesthetic.
With the fabrics for the jacket, waistcoat, and trousers finalised, we next turned our attention to the waistcoat lining. Gary excitedly shared that he had just received a fresh batch of linings from Korea and proudly laid them out for me to browse. Featuring a wide array of colours, patterns, and textures, the new collection offered plenty of options to add a subtle touch of personality to the garment.
Striking vest linings are arguably Sors Studio’s signature offering – it was what first drew me to Gary over 7 years ago. Importantly, Gary doesn’t just keep the same rotation of fabrics on hand throughout the years. Instead, he regularly sources for fabrics to keep things fresh for his clients. This also means that you’re unlikely to bump into anyone outside with the same fabric lining as you, given that Gary brings in said fabrics in limited quantities.
On my previous commissions, we had largely opted for floral linings for the waistcoat. This time, however, Gary suggested trying something different to better complement the outfit’s relaxed, summery aesthetic. He eventually settled on a vibrant geometric pattern, whose bold colours and contemporary design injected a playful touch of personality while pairing beautifully with the rest of the ensemble.
With all the fabrics finalised, we moved on to the measurement stage. I’ve covered Gary’s measuring process in detail in my previous reviews, so I won’t dwell on it here. Instead, I’d like to highlight just how meticulous his approach is, as reflected in his measurement sheet. Beyond recording the standard body measurements, Gary also notes physical characteristics such as my sloping shoulders and slightly protruding chest and stomach. These observations allow him to make subtle pattern adjustments that ultimately contribute to a better-fitting garment.
After two weeks, I return to Sors Studio for my basted fitting. We also got a Soktas shirt made in the interim, which I tried on first.
As with my previous commissions, my sloping shoulders proved to be the most significant fit challenge. Gary spotted the issue almost immediately during the fitting and quickly pinned the affected areas to compensate for the imbalance, ensuring the shirt would drape cleanly across my shoulders in the final garment.
Next, Gary took a series of detailed photographs of how the shirt sat on me. These served as a reference for his tailor when carrying out the necessary alterations.
Finally, Gary showed me how the shirt could be styled casually. He explained that he had opted for three sleeve buttons instead of the usual two, allowing the sleeves to retain their shape and structure when rolled up. He also intentionally kept the shirt slightly shorter than a traditional dress shirt, giving me the option of wearing it untucked when the occasion calls for it, thereby enhancing its versatility. Meanwhile, a single-piece collar adds more pizzazz and character to the shirt.
Next, we moved on to do the Muslin fitting for the vest. A muslin fitting is akin to a baste fitting, except that the muslin fitting garment is often made from a cheaper material to reduce cost and waste.
Here, Gary identified a few minor adjustments, including shortening the vest slightly so that more of the trousers would be visible, creating the illusion of a taller silhouette.
Next, Gary pinned the shoulders at the back of the vest to improve how it draped across my back. Long-time readers may recall that I have a slightly concave back, which, if not properly accounted for, can result in unsightly wrinkles forming across the rear of the vest.
As with the shirt, Gary took meticulous photographs of the areas requiring adjustment on the vest, providing his tailors with a clear visual reference when carrying out the alterations.
Next, I tried on the muslin fitting jacket. I have to admit that this stage came as a slight disappointment, as I had initially expected a traditional basted fitting instead. While basted fittings are commonly associated with traditional tailoring, SorsStudio adopts a more considered approach, selecting the fitting method based on the client’s individual requirements, fabric choice, and body profile.
In my case, the Guabello fabric’s stretch and knitted texture made it less suitable for accurate adjustments during a basted fitting. Gary therefore opted for a muslin fitting instead, allowing him to assess and refine the fit on a more stable fabric before translating those adjustments to the final garment.
Nevertheless, Gary’s experience was evident throughout the fitting process. He immediately noticed that the sleeves were slightly too narrow and used tailor’s chalk to mark the areas that needed to be widened.
Next, Gary used tailor’s chalk to mark a slight widening of the jacket’s back through the hip area, allowing the lower portion of the jacket to drape more cleanly and naturally.
Like the vest, Gary also pinned up the back shoulder portion of the suit jacket so that the back drapes as cleanly as possible.
Lastly, Gary had me sit on a stool to assess the comfort of the trousers in a seated position. This allowed him to gauge not only my feedback on their comfort, but also to observe whether the fabric exhibited any unsightly pulling or tension, enabling him to make any necessary adjustments.
Sors Studio – Suit Review
After another two weeks, I returned to Sors Studio to collect the finished garments.
I first tried on the finished shirt, trousers, and vest. It was also my first time seeing the vest’s lining in its finished form, and I felt it complemented the outfit’s relaxed, whimsical character perfectly.
That said, floral linings are something of Gary’s signature, and he chose to incorporate that aesthetic through the shirt’s floral trimmings. I thought it was a clever touch—not only is the design understated, as it is visible only when the cuffs are rolled up, but the Van Gogh-inspired print also complements the outfit’s playful character beautifully.
Next, Gary showed me that he had carried the same lining from the vest through to the inside of the jacket, creating a cohesive design that tied together the outfit’s fun aesthetic.
Thereafter, I tried on the finished jacket. Right from the outset, I was pleased with how it fit. As seen in the photo above, the sleeve pitch drapes cleanly, revealing approximately half an inch of shirt cuff, while the shortened jacket length now falls neatly at my thumb bone—both hallmarks of a well-proportioned fit.
Above all, I was particularly taken with the Guabello woven fabric. Firstly, the fabric has a distinctive knitted effect that is visually striking and sets it apart from the fabrics used in my previous commissions. Secondly, the blend of wool, cotton, and bi-stretch makes it remarkably lightweight, breathable, and comfortable to wear. Lastly, I was especially fond of its soft blue-grey hue, which complemented the shirt beautifully and tied the entire ensemble together.
I also appreciated several of Gary’s other creative design choices. These included the use of a patch breast pocket in place of a traditional welt pocket for a more relaxed aesthetic, as well as a one-piece shirt collar that lends the shirt an immediately distinctive presence.
Gary’s distinctive touch is evident throughout the rest of the jacket as well. Thoughtful details such as the wooden buttons, accented with complementary blue button stitching, and the pastel green pocket trimmings echo the colours of the vest and trousers, creating a cohesive look across the entire ensemble.
From a sartorial perspective, I particularly appreciated the aesthetics of the kissing buttons, as well as the craftsmanship behind the functional jacket sleeves—often referred to as surgeon’s cuffs.
As for the trousers, Gary added his own distinctive touch by opting for a Hollywood waistband, where the waistband is seamlessly integrated into the body of the trousers with no visible separation. Besides offering greater comfort—particularly when seated, as there is no waistband pressing against the waist—it also lends the trousers a refined, dandy aesthetic that complements the rest of the ensemble beautifully. Paired with forward pleats and bronze side adjusters, the pastel green trousers are filled with thoughtful sartorial details despite their casual character.
Gary also pointed out that I have a more pronounced seat, and explained that he had taken great care to cut the trousers in a way that complemented what he jokingly described as my “best asset.” As he quipped, “If you’ve got it, you should flaunt it!”
Overall, I was thoroughly impressed by how this ensemble came together. The combination of colours gives off a distinctly Wes Anderson-esque aesthetic—and I mean that in the best possible way. Having commissioned more than 70 suits over the years, it’s fair to say that my wardrobe has become rather crowded, so it takes something genuinely distinctive to stand out. Sors Studio has certainly achieved that here, delivering a colourful, whimsical interpretation of classic sartorial tailoring that feels unlike anything else in my collection.
Another aspect that I appreciated was the ensemble’s versatility. Given its distinctive aesthetic, I’ll admit that I probably won’t be wearing the full outfit very often. Its bold, eye-catching character makes it better suited to occasions such as daytime weddings, garden parties, or other creative events. However, Gary had anticipated this and intentionally designed each piece to work just as well on its own.
For instance, the blue Guabello knitted jacket can easily be worn as a sports coat, paired with a simple white T-shirt and jeans for a smart-casual look. Likewise, the pastel green trousers can be combined with pieces from my existing wardrobe, such as the pine green jacket that Gary previously made for me. The Soktas Egyptian cotton shirt is equally versatile, with details such as the one-piece collar and floral cuff trimmings giving it enough character to stand on its own.
Conclusion – so Sors Studio Tailoring “shiok” or not in 2026?
This has been one of the longest tailoring articles I’ve written in quite some time, and that is largely a reflection of the amount of thought and craftsmanship that Gary invested into this commission. Every element of the ensemble feels carefully considered, and that attention to detail is evident throughout. The garments fit well, are impeccably made, and, most importantly, possess a distinct identity that reflects Gary’s personal design philosophy. While the complete ensemble makes a striking statement, each individual piece also integrates seamlessly into my existing wardrobe, ensuring that the commission will see plenty of wear even when the outfit is worn as separates. I should also emphasise that the level of care and attention I experienced was not simply because I was reviewing Sors Studio. Throughout my visits, I observed Gary interacting with his other clients in exactly the same meticulous manner, devoting just as much time and thought to understanding their preferences and refining their garments. That consistency speaks volumes about his professionalism and reinforces my impression that this level of service is simply how he approaches every commission.
More broadly, I believe that a tailor operating at a premium price point should possess a recognisable house style or house fit. We often associate these concepts with the great tailoring houses of Savile Row or Milan, where each establishment is known for its own distinctive silhouette and design language. By contrast, many contemporary made-to-measure tailors adopt a purely client-led approach, often saying, “We simply make whatever the client wants.” While there is certainly value in customisation, I believe the very best tailors bring something of themselves to every commission. Clients are not merely paying for a garment—they are buying into the tailor’s expertise, taste, and creative vision. To borrow an analogy from the culinary world, Gordon Ramsay doesn’t ask diners how they would like his Beef Wellington prepared; he serves it according to his own exacting standards. In much the same way, the finest tailors leave a discernible signature on their work. Based on this commission, Gary has demonstrated that he possesses a clear and confident design identity—one that is unmistakably his own.
For those interested in tailoring with Sors Studio, a half-canvassed 2-piece mixed wool suit starts at just $780, while a vest starts at $280. Meanwhile, shirts and trousers both start at $160. My specific ensemble (three-piece suit and shirt) costs $1850: $220 for the Egyptian-cotton shirt from Soktas, $680 for the wool/silk/linen vest and trousers, and $950 for the Guabello Keasy jacket. Furthermore, readers can enjoy package pricing on shirts and pants when commissioning multiple pieces (3, 5, or 8). Do note that appointments are heavily recommended.
Sors Studio’s Location: 34 Arab Street #02-01 Singapore 199733.
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.
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