Lai's Royal Tailoring — Local services in New York

Mrs Lai is amazing!!! She fixed my cheongsam that was super loose in an unusual area, and did a fantastic job in less than 3 business days. She charged me $10 for the dress alteration, and though I opted for the easiest option, the way she altered the dress made it look like it came right off the rack just for my body. My partner brought his jeans to alter an inch off and it cost him $15.

The tailor studio is very stuffy and cluttered, but it honestly adds to the charm of Chinatown. Be prepared for the heat in the summer as there’s no AC. Also, I spoke in Mandarin and Cantonese, so just be patient with Mrs Lai if you’re not Chinese-speaking because I noticed many reviews scoffing at the service and they used English.

For the price, I’d gladly fly back to NYC with the clothes I need altered just to visit Mrs Lai’s studio. I doubt I’d find anyone of this quality and...

I needed a dress done for my wedding reception, just pulled in a little bit as it was quite big. I dropped the dress off I said I didn't have cash so the woman started screaming at me at the top of her lungs and pulled all the pins out that she'd put in during the fitting. I had to scream back at her to get her to stop to tell her I was going to go get cash. Asked her if I needed to be re-fit, because she pulled half the pins out of my dress, she refused and said she knew how to do it anyway. When I came back, the dress no longer fit around my bum at all-- they cut it down so much it no longer fit. When I complained and didn't want to pay for them ruining my dress, they screamed at me for a full hour before refunding my money. I love to support my people at Chinatown businesses but this lady is nutso and needs to learn basic courtesy and...

If you speak Cantonese, communication with Lai Yee is a little easier, but she does have basic conversational English plus a quick thumb when Google Translate is called for. Overall, as a new customer I've gotten 2 pieces done - 1 pair of leather pants hemmed & a stretchy Anthropologie top altered for a tighter fit on the chest. I cannot be more pleased with both the cost (very affordable!), speed (Lai is so skilled & quick), and results. I'm not a perfectionist when it comes to alterations/fit, so long as my pant length is shortened (I'm a 5'1" shortie) and my loose top is fitted to my body. Especially with the spandex Anthro top I just got altered - I was able to do my Saturday groceries in Chinatown and return to her store in 30 min by the time she texted me. So grateful for the quick service & skillful...