The Magic of Tailoring
Ever wondered how some people manage to make every outfit look super-chic, even if they’re just wearing jeans and a t-shirt? We’ll let you in on a little secret: it’s all in the fit!
Good tailoring can make any piece look high-end. Unless you’re buying made-to-measure clothing, chances are that many of the pieces in your closet look great but not perfect. Or maybe you have a piece that you love but never reach for because the neckline gapes or the hem is too long. With a few little tweaks, you can get more wear out of your favourite pieces and keep more clothing from ending up in landfills.
Consider your local tailor your secret weapon when it comes to looking effortlessly stylish, no matter what you’re wearing or where you’re going. Today, we’re looking at how to work with a tailor to get the best results.
Step 1: Check Your Closet
Take a look at your existing clothing, with a focus on items that don’t get much wear. Try to identify the issue for each piece. If the item no longer works with your style, consider consigning or donating it. However, if the problem is fit-related, read on!
The Trove team strongly believes that altering your clothing extends its life in your closet. When it fits well and looks great, you’re likely to hang on to it and keep wearing it over and over again. Tailoring helps us fight back against the high levels of pollution and waste caused by fast fashion, so we’re big fans.
Step 2: Find a Tailor in Your Area
A quick Google search will probably show you lots of tailors in your area. To find the best one for you, read through their reviews and check their website to see if they specialize in certain types of alterations. Some tailors may focus primarily on suits or bridal gowns, while others might offer combined services such as tailoring/dry cleaning.
If you have a stylish friend in the area, ask them where they get their clothing altered. They might have a great local recommendation for you, so don’t be afraid to ask!
Step 3: Get a Quote
If you’re steering clear of tailoring because you think it’ll be cost-prohibitive, think again! Tailoring services are often very affordable, especially for smaller alterations like hemming or replacing a broken zipper.
Bring your item in so that the tailor can review the changes and give you a quote. They’ll also be able to tell you how long the work will take.
Step 4: Look Great
When you pick up your item from the tailor, try it on to double-check that the alterations are to your liking. Don’t worry if a bigger alteration project requires a bit more work to get it perfect. Communicate any additional changes to the tailor and make sure to ask them how this affects the final price.
When the item is to your liking, experiment with different ways to style it and wear it with pride. Get ready to hear “wow, that looks like it was made for you!”
Good Tailoring: Before & After
Here, we see that Emma’s favourite overalls could use some adjustments to get a perfect fit. Because she has a smaller frame, the oversized fit in the hips and legs is swallowing her up.
Before:
Emma took this piece to a local tailor. She tried it on in the shop while the tailor took measurements. They chatted about how Emma wanted the overalls to fit and what type of work this would entail. This only took a few minutes, so she was able to pop in during her lunch break.
After a few days, Emma picked up her overalls. The tailor removed bulk from the legs to achieve a slimmer fit. The total cost was $30, and as Emma says, “it feels like a new piece of clothing!”
After:
Emma also got a dress hemmed to increase its wearability. Like the overalls, this process was quick and easy. The total cost for this alteration work was $20, and Emma now reaches for this dress far more often than before.
