We’re big proponents of getting clothes tailored. It takes a little extra effort, but the results can be more than worth it. When you get your clothes tailored, items are going to look like they were made to fit your body, which is going to make you look and feel better.
If you’ve ever wondered why celebrities always look so good in clothes a lot of it is because their clothes are tailored to fit them like a glove.
If you’re considering tailoring your wardrobe, keep the following tips in mind:
- Know how clothes are SUPPOSED to fit. If you buy an item that simply does not fit your body, it’s probably not going to work even if you get it tailored. Clothes shouldn’t pull or bunch anywhere on your body. When you try on items you should feel like you can move comfortably, whether it’s through the crotch, the shoulders and arms or anywhere else.
- Know when it’s worth it to pay for tailoring. You’re probably not going to make the investment to tailor your whole wardrobe, so instead save it for the most worn or valuable items in your wardrobe. For example, a work suit or your favorite little black dress can be great options for tailoring, since you’re probably going to be wearing them quite a bit. You can also get your jeans tailored to achieve the perfect fit.
- There is a difference between basic alterations, which are fairly inexpensive, and more costly and complex alterations. A few examples of basic alterations include shortening the hem of pants, or putting on a new zipper. Complex alterations can include relining fabric or changing where the waist falls.
- Even though we love the idea of tailoring, there are some items that simply can’t be tailored—like knit items.
When you do invest in tailoring, you need a great seamstress—otherwise it could turn into a disaster. You even run the risk of ruining very expensive items if your seamstress doesn’t know what she’s doing. Keep the following in mind when choosing someone to tailor your clothes:
- Word of mouth is the best way to find someone. Ask friends and family members, because if they’ve had a good experience with someone, it’s more likely you will too.
- You’re likely going to choose a seamstress, versus a tailor. The reason is because seamstresses often focus on the things most important to women’s clothing, like hem and waistlines, whereas tailors tend to actually create the garments.
- Make sure your seamstress clearly understands what you want. You may want to get expectations in writing, particularly if she’s working on an expensive item. There can be a lot of miscommunication when it comes to tailoring clothes, so it’s up to you to be very clear.
- Always ask about pricing before you leave an item with a seamstress. You don’t want to get to the store and have a big surprise waiting for you, in the form of a huge bill. Tell the seamstress to contact you if she thinks things will be more expensive, to get your approval.