A trip to the tailor can be a like going to the plastic surgeon, or so I’ve heard. A nip here, a tuck there and…voila! You (or in this case, your wardrobe) will look years younger. Transform any garment—slacks, skirts, dresses, jackets and even t-shirts—into custom-fitting perfection. The results will be a taller, leaner and more youthful look. Let’s face it, every fashionista knows the value of having a good tailor in her back pocket—so to speak.
Finding a good tailor is not a mystery. Ask friends for referrals. For simple hems, the seamstress at a dry cleaner should suffice, but for more detailed alterations, ask your favorite boutique owner whom she might recommend. Shop owners know who can handle the big jobs—and who cannot. Some department and chain stores offer simple alterations, sometimes for free or a minimal charge. I suggest always using the in-house alteration service if available, as they have a vested interest in getting the job done correctly. Nordstrom, for example, stands behind their tailoring and if the job is botched, they’ll replace the entire garment and make it right.
Let’s take a look at the most common tailoring projects, and how easily these problems can be remedied:
Slacks: The correct length for slacks is ½ inch from the floor. Take the shoes you’ll be wearing to the tailor with you, so they can be hemmed accordingly. Want to wear your slacks with both flats and heels? Sorry—you’re outta luck. The solution? Purchase two pairs of slacks—one for “flats day,” the other for dressing up. If you’re tall, slacks with cuffs that can be let out are the answer. Jeans should be worn a smidge longer—1/4” off the floor is perfect. When shortening jeans, make sure the tailor gives you a “jean bottom” (reattaching the original stitched hemline) maintaining the intended look.
Do you experience “the curse of the curvy girl?” A simple tuck or two in the waistband will eliminate the gap in the back at your waist. You are not cinching it with a belt so it gets all bunchy, are you? I didn’t think so. Sewing side pockets closed, and removing the pocket lining is another key alteration. Those pockets tend to pull at the hips (not pretty), and you’ll get rid of that unsightly mess on your thighs. And with white slacks, it’s an absolute must!
Skirts and dresses: Taking in the side seems can transform an outdated A-line skirt into a form-fitting pencil skirt for a more slender and current look. A cocktail dress can be custom-fitted in a variety of ways—tapering the side seems under the armhole, shortening the straps at the shoulder to lift the entire dress or shortening the hemline to knee-length can take years off the garment…and you! Ask questions and consider the possibilities, rather than casting off a perfectly fabulous frock.
Jackets: Shoulders should only be altered as a last resort. It’s an extensive (and costly) operation, so consider a smaller size. Sleeves should measure approximately five inches from the tip of your thumb, around the place where your wrist bends. In my experience, this is one of the most overlooked alterations!
Tops and T’s: Taper boxy blouses (and jackets) by taking in the excess fabric down the sides of the garment. When a whole new wardrobe is not an option for someone who has recently lost weight, consider this alteration. For petite figures, shortening a regular-sized top or t-shirt will keep you in proportion, and you’ll have many more choices throughout the store.
Basically, it all comes down to one thing…FIT! Make friends with an experienced tailor who will make certain that your clothing fits you just the way it should. Enjoy the benefits of a custom-fitting wardrobe—a super stylish YOU.
