Gentle RAMS is an ascendant Bangkok-based gentlemen’s outfitter, specialising in creating a unique total look through its dapper tailoring and distinctive style. They also offer a range of rakish Italian accessories like pocket squares, neckties, and even leather shoes. Led by Bank Preedakorn and Golf JC, the house has shaped a style all its own, integrating elements of both Italian and British sartorial tradition with a modern twist.
Cofounder Golf says, “When people ask, ‘What is the RAMS style?’ We say, we don’t have a specific style. We’re very customer-centric, so we look at the client who comes in all shapes and sizes. Our goal is to make every one of them look their best.”
Gentle RAMS cofounder Golf, wearing a suit crafted in Paladino’s OP2534 ‘Rhino’.
Essentially, the RAMS ‘house style’ is to create the most flattering look for the individual customer. This includes selecting the right fabric and crafting the right pattern to complement their body type. “It’s very important to do that,” Bank explains, rather than trying to make every single customer conform to an image or pattern that may not work for them. “For example, some clients come to us wanting to wear really bright colours, or a pattern that’s not ideal for them, and it’s up to us to guide them towards what is going to look best.”
Golf says, “We always ask the client about their lifestyle and what sort of occasion or setting they want to use the outfit for: Will they be wearing it outdoors, or mainly in an air-conditioned office, for example.” Bank elaborates, “We also ask what they have in their wardrobe already so we can create something that complements their existing garments or adds something that is missing.”
Bank and Golf travel frequently and say this influences their sartorial approach, adopting colours, textures and silhouettes inspired by the exotic locales they visit. Drawing inspirations and trends from their worldwide travels, they perfectly adapt their tailoring to suit the sultry climate of southeast Asia.
Gentle RAMS cofounder Bank, in a tailored creation made using Officine Paladino’s OP2303 ‘Tibet’, an off-white cloth that is one of Bank’s favourites.
“We usually choose fabrics that are a combination of linen, with wool and/or silk, because it’s more breathable and lighter, as well as being wrinkle resistant,” Golf says. “The weather in Thailand is hot and humid, so we tend to recommend fabrics that are very breathable,” Bank notes.
One of their own favourite fabrics is Officine Paladino’s OP2303 ‘Tibet’, an off-white herringbone cloth in 60 percent linen and 40 percent wool, which is vaguely reminiscent of the sought-after Hermès Himalayan crocodile Birkin bag, with its subtle cream-and-grey coloration.
At Gentle RAMS, it’s all about distinctive details and outstanding cloth selections (like this Paladino OP2303 ‘Tibet’).
It was in the realm of sought-after accessories that RAMS got its start, roughly a decade ago, making handcrafted men’s accoutrements. “There was nothing like it in Thailand at the time — we were the first in Thailand to do lapel-pin accessories, handmade by Thai artisans,” Golf says. “The feedback was very, very good. That surprised us. And so we expanded the range, started doing other accessories: pocket squares, bow ties, neck ties, and cufflinks.”
Clients came to trust the duo’s tastes and sought to emulate their sense of style, Golf says. “They liked the way we dressed, and began asking us for advice on how to style their whole suit. That’s how we diversified into tailoring. We found a great partner for our tailored garments, and now they’re in house with us full-time as staff.”
Bank formerly worked in marketing and branding roles for companies across sectors including real estate, retail and hospitality. Golf has worked as a furniture and product designer. That’s why he’s very attentive to the little details and the functional aspects. This approach is reflected in the suits that RAMS tailor. “It’s important that the clothes you wear not only look smart, but they’re comfortable, functional, light, and you’re able to move. We’re trying to create the perfect harmony of aesthetics and functionality.” Golf adds.
RAMS started out making men’s accessories, such as pocket squares and ties, before expanding into a full sartorial offering.
Thinking about how the way we dress has changed or evolved over the last five years and particularly since the pandemic, “There are two sides to it,” Bank says. “I think we’re seeing some people dressing more casually, but at the same time, with more interesting style, more attention to fashion. And then we are also seeing people who are embracing suits, but not for formal occasions or work — they’re wearing suits to go out and have fun, have dinner or hang out with friends. They’re experimenting with more colours, different styles, textures. I think it’s good.”
Golf continues, “We feel like in Europe, people are now wearing less tailored clothing than before the pandemic. But for us in Thailand, it’s the opposite — after the pandemic, people are going out and socialising even more, seeking for ways to create a good impression. That’s why we can see more demand for suits as they want to look good and stand out.”
Golf demonstrates that Gentle RAMS suits are made for action.
The rakish tailoring proposed by RAMS will certainly help in that regard. “We like a slightly wider lapel because it’s bold,” Golf says. “When we started and still now, many other tailors here in Thailand were doing very slim fit garments and skinny lapels. We wanted to create a signature classic style with our wide lapels which also make the customers look more well-built.”
A custom lining collaboration between RAMS and Officine Paladino
RAMS has collaborated with Officine Paladino on a custom lining cloth (a remixed variant on OP204 ‘Lawn Tennis’) that celebrates one of the duo’s abiding passions. “Paladino has always had really cool, interesting linings,” Golf says. “The reason that we chose to have our exclusive lining for Paladino with this particular design is because we are really into tennis. Tennis has always had a fanciful fashion history, so we’ve opted for this vintage tennis imagery as it’s very timeless. And the green shade is a terrific complement to the sorts of colours of suit many of our clients go for.”
Bank sports his suit in Paladino OP2303 ‘Tibet’ at this summer’s Pitti Uomo. Read our report on the fair here.
According to Bank, RAMS’ customers are excited by the opportunities for self-expression a custom suit provides. “Our clients really enjoy the process of having a suit made, they say it’s like designing their own car, or designing their home — they enjoy that creative process and seeing the suit they’ve created with us come into being. We try to bring our clients out of themselves, let them release their creativity. Everyone has creativity within them, but some just don’t know how to express it. That’s where we can help.”
