Custom Shirts in Bangkok: Fabrics, Prices and How Many to Order

A custom shirt is one of the easiest things to have made in Bangkok. It needs less fitting than a suit, the price starts low enough to order several, and the pattern can be reused for years. The choices that matter are the fabric, the collar, the cuff and the fit, and the smartest way to order is to start with a single shirt.

How much does a custom shirt cost in Bangkok?

A custom shirt in Bangkok starts from about $30 to $75 at the ten tailors on our Bangkok ranking in 2026. Nordic Bespoke and Tailored By Luis start at about $30, King Fashion Uni at $35, Narry Bespoke Tailors and Galaxy Tailor at $45, Peninsula Bespoke Tailor at $55, Jesse & Son at $60 and Unique Tailor at $75. Manchester Tailor BKK sells three shirts for $90.

Those are starting prices. Three things raise them: a finer or two-ply cotton, often from a European mill; handwork, such as the hand-stitched collars, cuffs and buttonholes on Unique Tailor's shirts; and extras like mother-of-pearl buttons or a monogram. Packages bring the price per shirt down. Nordic Bespoke, for example, offers two suits, three shirts and two ties for $495.

Which shirt fabric should you choose?

Choose the fabric for where you will wear the shirt. Most shirting is cotton, and the weave changes how it looks, feels and handles the heat. Ask to see each fabric in a full width, not just a small swatch, and hold it against your face in daylight.

What do two-ply and yarn numbers mean?

Two-ply means each yarn is made of two finer yarns twisted together. Two-ply cotton is stronger, smoother and recovers from creases better than single-ply. The number on a shirting, such as 80s, 100s or 120s, describes the yarn: the higher the number, the finer the yarn and the silkier the fabric, but the more delicate it is. For shirts you will wash often in a hot climate, two-ply in the 80s to 120s range is a good balance. Our guide to shirt fabrics goes further.

Which collar and cuff should you choose?

A spread collar is the most versatile choice: it frames a tie knot well and still looks neat open at the neck, which matters in Bangkok, where many men skip the tie. A point collar suits a slim knot and a round face. A cutaway takes a fuller knot. A button-down is the casual option and keeps its shape without a tie. Ask for removable collar stays, and say whether you prefer a soft collar or a firm one.

For cuffs, a barrel cuff with one or two buttons suits everyday wear. A French cuff folds back and fastens with cufflinks; order it for weddings, black tie and evening events. Rajawongse Clothier, for example, sells mother-of-pearl cufflinks for about $30. Our guide to French cuffs and cufflinks covers the details.

Other details to decide

• Placket: a classic front placket, or a plain French front for a cleaner look.
• Pocket: one chest pocket for a casual shirt, none for a dressier one.
• Back: a box pleat or side pleats give room to move; darts give a closer fit.
• Length: long enough to stay tucked when you reach up, or a straight hem to wear untucked.
• Buttons: mother-of-pearl buttons look and feel better than plastic and cost a little more.
• Sleeve: a little longer than you think, so the cuff still reaches your wrist when you bend your arm.

Why order a trial shirt first?

A trial shirt lets you check the pattern before you commit to a full order. You order one shirt, wear it, and ask the tailor to correct anything that is not right. The rest are then cut from the corrected pattern. It costs nothing extra and saves you from five shirts with the same small fault. In Bangkok, order the trial shirt on your first day, so it is ready for your suit fitting.

For more detail on each point, read how a dress shirt should fit.

How many custom shirts should you order?

Order enough to wear a fresh shirt every working day without washing every night. In a hot climate you will change shirts daily, and shirts last longer when they rest between wears. For most people that means one trial shirt, then four to six more in the first order.

Start with solids before patterns. White and pale blue go with every suit and tie, so a first order built on them is never wasted. Add stripes, checks and colors once the fit is right.

Should you add a monogram?

A monogram is a small set of initials stitched onto the shirt. It is a personal touch, not a requirement. Keep it small and in a thread close to the fabric color for a quiet look. The usual places are the left cuff, the left chest or the lower left front, just above the trouser line, where it stays hidden when the shirt is tucked. Ask whether the tailor charges for it and check the spelling and letter order on the quote.

How do you care for custom shirts in the heat?

• Wash after every wear. Sweat left in the collar and underarms yellows cotton over time.
• Take out the collar stays before washing, so they do not bend or mark the collar.
• Wash warm, not hot, and skip a hot tumble dryer, which shrinks cotton and wears out the fabric.
• Hang to dry on a wide hanger, buttoned at the top, so the collar and shoulders keep their shape.
• Iron while slightly damp, collar and cuffs first. Linen takes a hot iron and still creases by noon; that is part of its charm.
• Let deodorant dry before you dress, and rotate shirts so each one rests between wears.

Our guides to washing dress shirts and ironing a dress shirt take you through each step.

Can you reorder custom shirts from abroad?

Yes. Once a tailor has your corrected pattern, reordering is simple. You send a message with the fabric codes or photos of the fabrics you want, the tailor confirms the price and makes the shirts from your pattern, and the order is shipped to you. Many tailors will send photos of new fabrics, or post swatches, if you ask.

• Keep a record of each fabric code, the collar and cuff style and any fit changes you agreed.
• Mention body changes. If your weight has changed, say so; the tailor can adjust the pattern or ask for new measurements.
• Reorder in a fabric you know before trying something new by email.
• Get the total in writing, including shipping, and check how import duty will be charged. Our guide to shipping clothes home from Thailand explains the rules.

If you are also having a suit made, read how to choose a tailor in Bangkok before your first visit, so the shirts and suit can share the same fittings.

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