Another New Year

It's the second day of the lunar new year and it sure seems like it has been quite a while. I was too busy with work leading up to the festivities. Being stuck outstationed and having had to commute daily to/fro Batam took a toll on my routines. I did manage to squeeze a session of pilates last Tuesday and went down to TGT last Saturday, which really ruined my mood. Other than that, I managed to finish my book and have started on Dumas.

I have posted about my shirt on the local forum, hardwarezone and will just repost here.

I got my pants after 2 weeks. Fit was off. But I liked the overall very much so I was happy to have them alter it again.
Second "fitting". Pants. Still wrong wrong wrong. Excess fabric at the butt was unsightly. The seat was too low. I looked like I was wearing OTR "business" pants from Robinson's or something. This time, Aldwin started pinning to make out where to alter and how much. I was getting very worried. The pinning made the pants have stretch marks at the outer thighs. He said it was okay and they won't be there after altering. I moved around alot, to check other things. A couple of pins dropped and I noted the back-to-square-one look on the pants. They say it's ok since they already know how much and where to alter. I said no, pin it again (even if it pokes my butt).
At the same time, I got my shirt. Fit was okay. Looser than Dylan's but it looked good. No ballooning. No excess of fabric. Cuff was looser than expected but again it was fine. However, the button loops I requested were missing. Collar looks hideous (to me) with it so open like some cassannova. I don't like such collars. I told them about it, they had to check my order and said "oh, you wanted the button loops". Andy looked surprised (he was the one who took my order and run through with me). Next I pointed out the G&R label near the last button. It was on the outside and could be seen if I wear it tucked out. Again, this is hideous to me and it doesn't help that the G&R logo doesn't appeal to me at all. I had requested during the previous visit that I want it on the inside. Aldwin admitted it and said he overlooked it. This request was noted by both Andy and Aldwin previously.
After all the fuss and saying they were correct the problems, they said it can't be done before CNY. Actually, before noticing the problems with the shirt, I had said I would take it back and wear it a few times first and leave the pants with them. Seeing that both garments had problems, I did not want to do so and wanted them to rectify all this, and before CNY. They agreed to rush it for me promising that the shirt confirm can make it.
On a side note, I had commissioned a suit with them by the time I tried my pants. I was in a hurry cos I need it by March and had trusted them. My issues with the pants make me worry a lot for my suit. I don't want my suit pants to look like that. And how about the suit jacket? It wasn't cheap per se either...
Fast forward to Wednesday, I was informed that they can arrange for a courier to deliver the goods. Somebody would be at home on Friday morning to collect it and so it was decided.
Fast forward further to now...

See that little button peeking out? It should be out in the open. And no, the placement of the one on the right is also wrong. The collar looks contorted when buttoned. With a tie, I can't get my four-in-hand to fit and the collar gets worse.
Shirt arrived like this:

Whoever buttoned and folded it didn't bother that it was just wrong.
For the pants, I do not want to trouble myself and setup my camera etc. It's difficult to take a decent pic of the pants' problems with my phone. There are stretch marks at the side anyways when worn. And the seat is still too high. I'm afraid the pants might have been wrongly altered such that it has reached a point of no return...
I had a not-so-good day at work and now I feel even worse.
I work as an engineer in manufacturing, scrutinizing contracts, quotations, prices, components, assembly processes and even packaging. I don't like to have to scrutinize at all outside of work cos its tiring (and make me seem like a real stick in the mud). Especially not when it's not my field and I have handed my money and trust to alleged professionals to get the job done and right. At least, that's what I have been expected of from my customers at work.

They noted down my requests on paper when I placed the order about 4 weeks ago. We did go through all the details again before I left the place. Anymore from me and they would probably have thought I'm some old hag in disguise.

And then, someone asked if the things I pointed it out were fixed and if TGT can actually stop my suit order, which was hefty...

To be fair, TGT is very obliging. They say it's done wrongly (the explanation left me a little confounded though) etc.
Yes, the button loops are there (although not exactly functional cos of the buttons' positions) and the label has been moved to the right place.
As for the suit, I was offered a refund of my deposit. And yes, I accepted the refund which will be made in the form of a cheque.
As for the clothes, both shirt and pants, I'm not exactly sure if they will correct them again. I was told they can change the collar. But from I know, it's not an easy task that most alterations shops like to do. Of course, I have no idea who is the one eventually doing the rework.
Actually, I really like the look and feel of the super 120s VBC prince of wales checks pants but... ok. Enough of this. I'll get back to it after the new year...

I'm kinda saddened but I think I might actually wear the pants out today. A forummer asked if I could show photos of the pants. Maybe I'll do that if I do end up wearing the pants. Honestly, I really doubt TGT is up to it to get me what I want from my clothes. I'd be heading to Dylan's when they are open to inquire on a suit with him instead.

ed et al Visit

It seems that I am kinda falling back on the updates.

Yesterday, I had a session of pilates before heading to The Good Tailor at Sin Ming. After which I headed to Bukit Merah to check out ed et al. Its really too bad that The Flyer is not available OTR anymore. I also overheard another customer asking for them. What a pity. They are of course still available as customs. At a premium of $500 which I'm not ready to pay unfortunately.

Anyways, The Merlion had caught my eyes thru pics online and they do look pretty better in the flesh. It also worked out that they have one last pair in my size (EU38 though I thought I would be EU40 as I normally wear US8). Needless to say, I got them. Support local.

The Good Tailor Visit

The Lunar New Year is just around the corner. The key interest of this point is that I'll have an "excuse" to get new clothes. The old Chinese adage when loosely translated, says that there is no room for new things if the old don't make way.

I've started my wardrobe revamp (only those that I wear out, of course) around October 2012. For that, I've been primarily visiting two places: A tailor (Dylan and Son Sartorial) and a alterations tailor (Meng Yee Alterations). Both are indeed very good at the services they ply. A little background information before I get back on track with the topic in the title.

Through Meng Yee, I have altered my Calvin Klein suit, Hugo Boss pants, several Feraud, JAG and Espirt shirts. I also commissioned a waistcoat from a heavy cashmere-wool blend. It turned out very very nice. A little traditional-looking but really fine fitting. I wore it between a shirt (100% cotton) and winter jacket (from Comme Ca Commune, 100% wool) and it came me pretty warm on most days in Switzerland where I was away for work). On the colder days, I would have a 100% cashmere sweater (from ColdWear) extra. Pretty good.

And so, all went well. Until I decided to commission a new shirt that is. This happened after a few shirts from Dylan actually. Wasn't that experienced then and didn't speak out. The collar was just wrong, sleeves too long, armhole too big (MAJOR issue to me as OTR shirts available here have this problem on me), sleeves a little too long and overall the fit wasn't quite as nice as Dylan. It was of course less than half-price of a regular shirt from Dylan's. The uncle is very accommodating but I don't think I'm knowledgeable enough to give instructions (then) to get what I wanted. C'est la vie. Went back a few times after that for some other shirts' alterations and was also quoted for a suit. I will... consider.

On to Dylan, I have commissioned 1 Soktas FastForward virgin white Indus shirt with black mother of pearl buttons, 2 basic Oxford button-downs (OCBD). one casual Inizio checked pale/bright pink shirt, wool-blend navy trousers for work, Inizio Egyptian cotton skyblue pair of pants and a pair of wool-blend grey/brown trousers. The very first piece came out in perfect size. No alteration was needed. Besides the last piece which I got them to change cos they got the length wrong, everything was made very nicely in Dylan's house-cut which is slim (my cuppa). BUT, as anyone who may have at least asked around would know, Dylan is by no means cheap. Of course you pay for the quality, but at Dylan's I feel that I am paying more for the rent (in Lau Pa Sat) and the "exclusiveness" that comes with marked up prices.

Now, this leads me to one of the reasons that eventually brought me to The Good Tailor (yes, it's really the name of a tailor shop). Why pay? Somewhat in the business of selling stuff myself (though, very different stuff), this isn't a very difficult question to answer. There are of course several things one could cite. However, how many of those are actually tangible? And how many of those tangible ones can actually be not repeated and to what degree? Being the choosy cost-cutting engineer that I am, I had to look for someone else besides Dylan.

This post is getting draggy so I'll try to list out the points in bulleted style.

First impressions of TGT online:
1. Nice fair range of good fabric
2. Not much to talk about with regards to showcasing (which Dylan is very good at) so I wasn't sure about their house-cut and styling
3. Friendly and helpful comments on local forum
4. Reasonable online prices
5. Promotion on VBC 110s and 120s (main attraction to me)

Impressions of TGT offline:
1. (Through the phone) Bright and welcoming
2. ULU (local term for out-of-the-way)
3. Shop space is LARGE compared to Dylan's
4. Spartan furnishing but accommodating and welcoming enough
5. Nice environment to sit down (can only stand at Dylan's) and look through the fabrics
6. Several commissioned pieces on display (most of which I didn't like)
7. Good business (it was Saturday)
8. Andy and Aldwin were very patient, open to listening and gave many suggestions
9. No house cut
10. Customer base seem to be a tad younger than Dylan's (perhaps with less money to throw around?)
11. Customization is aplenty
12. No credit card payment (yet). This might actually be a good thing for me
13. Andy thinks I look good in pink (wore the Inizio pink shirt from Dylan's and I agree but that's kinda off-topic

Anyways, I settled with a Grandi & Rubinelli patterned pale purple shirting from their Nobel range. I can't name the pattern unfortunately. It's a cross between checks and dots at a very minute level. Anything but the Gingham checks. Those things are everywhere...

For the pants, I went with a VBC 120s. Again, the pattern is difficult for me to describe. This set of clothes are more "new year clothes" anyways and I am making them in casual styling. As Andy commented, it's a "big step" for me. I'm a little worried about my choice but yet I'm quite assured as I had many a opinion from Andy to help. It will be 2 weeks before I get my clothes. I will update again when I do.

2013 Begins

I'm 6 days late on the whole "New Year" thing but well, it's better late than never, they say.

So it's 2013 already and I'd like to continue making my life a better one. This journey started around November 2011 actually when I first started looking for a new job and finally made the switch in late April 2012 to my present company. And so, since then I've been trying to make my life more meaningful and balanced with the newfound time and energy (albeit less income).

More than 8 months since, there are severely work-in-progress projects, some that never really took off, and some that just don't seem to be on the right track. I used to blog, in what feels like a previous lifetime, about trivialities as a then emotional and childish self. Only 2 years shy of being into my 30's, I'm too old for that nonsense and this blog instead shall serve as a record and reminder to myself of my endeavours and results.

All life is an experiment. The more experiments you make the better. 

- Ralph Waldo Emerson

With that, my life from henceforth will be a series of "experiments" in finance (ie. actually starting to invest and have proper savings), fitness (ie. finally run a marathon, some full body strength), sartorial pursuit (ie. get rid of unflattering and inappropriate clothes and replace with the right ones), social life (ie. strengthen old ties and create meaningful new ones and find a life partner) and education (ie. learn a new language? MBA?).

Alea iacta est.