Just a couple of meters away from the famous Zamalek café area of Om Kalthoum Hotel is Orange Square, a formal men's wear shop best known for their tuxedos and tailor-made suits. Underneath a hard-to-miss orange sign and a window display showing off some normal and off-the-wall suits are a few steps leading down into this tiny, submersed shop. Walk inside to notice the chic decor, warm hues and awkward lighting, making the small shop appear large enough to accommodate a small gathering (it really can't though). Naturally, with one wall covered entirely by a mirror; the other three have to be loaded with merchandise. Still, the clothes are arranged neatly without detracting from one another. In the center is a mirror-surfaced high table with merchandise hung and stacked beneath it, not the most convenient of displays; but it looks quirky and completes the shop's decor. Orange Square boasts a healthy collection of suits starting at LE 3,200, ties for LE 100 upwards, and leather belts for LE 600 and above. A small collection of coats starting at LE 3,000 is on display and a couple of shoes are scattered around the shop. The collection is definitely geared towards the younger generation with a huge assortment of tight-fitting suits and brightly colored skinny ties. Service in Orange Square is excellent, though you may walk in and find no one there; they're in the backroom where all the tailoring action happens. Just give them a minute or so to come around and they'll be more than happy to help you out. All the clothes are tagged as Orange Square, an obscure brand that Google knows little about. When asked where their merchandise comes from, the salesman first said England then Italy; it seemed that he couldn't make up his mind. However, other sources claim that this shop only imports its materials while the suit itself is made right here in Egypt. The highlight of Orange Square is all in the tailor-made suits. You can come in at anytime straight into their backroom, which is actually further inside of the shop's building. Their suits are made using either imported English or Italian materials (Italian is your best bet), and they are of course tailor-made to fit your exact measurements. Suits will usually take from 10 to 15 days to be made, but off-the-shelf items can be shortened and fitted to your size in one day, or even a couple of hours if you're stretched for time. They also tailor-make tuxedos and any other formal attire that you can think of. Cheaper than an Armani suit but pricier than one at BTM, Orange Square is right in the middle of the formal attire price scale. If you're planning on splurging on a suit but you don't want to break the bank; then this shop is for you. Best bit Amazing service and young formal wear. Worst bit Parking is almost impossible on Ibn El Nabih Street. 360 Tip Don't starve yourself before going in for your measurements or your suit will be ready to burst after a heavy night of eating or drinking. Orange Square 4 A Ibn El Nabih St., Zamalek, Cairo Tel: 2735 5139 This article was contributed to Daily News Egypt by Cairo360 (www.cairo360.com).
