Using a tailor is the closest thing to actually owning custom made clothing without the extreme cost. If you don’t know where to go, ask your friends, co-workers, family, and neighbors for recommendations. Most large department stores (and some specialty shops) do in-house alterations, just ask if the service is available and save yourself some time and money. To try out a tailor- take an item that has been hanging around your closet for awhile. If you aren’t happy with the results, you haven’t ruined your favorite pair of pants or your $600 dress. If you feel the “mistake” can be fixed, ask them to make adjustments or use this piece of clothing to try out another tailor.
Tailor tips:
1. Talk to your tailor. Let them know exactly what the problem is: too tight, too short, too long, too big. Ask them for recommendations on lengths of sleeves, hems, and fit. If you find an item you love while shopping, but it is too small, go up a size. Your tailor can easily make garments smaller but usually there is not enough of a seam allowance to let a garment out.
2. Wear (or bring them along) the shoes you will be wearing with the items to be altered. If you find a pair of pants that you LOVE, buy two. One to wear with heels, and one to wear with flats.
3. Remove the cuffs from your pants if you are under 5’5″. This will create a longer, leaner leg line and make you appear taller and thinner.
4. Look straight ahead. I know you will want to look down as the tailor is chalking and pinning your pants, but please don’t. This will create an uneven hem.
5. Have the front pockets of your pants removed and have them sewn shut. This will take care of that unsightly crease on your thighs and prevent you from putting your keys or cell phone in your pockets (and will also make your pants look like they fit perfectly!)
6. Try on your items when when you pick them up. If you are not satisfied, have your tailor make adjustments. This will prevent another trip to the tailor.
Tina’s Tip: If you can’t find a tailor through a recommendation or have a complicated alteration, search the Yellow Pages or online. Look for a tailor that advertises that they make custom menswear clothing. Any tailor that is comfortable with menswear construction can do any of the most complicated women’s clothing alterations. Just make sure that they will work with women’s clothing before making the trip.
Tags: alterations, clothing, tailor, tips
