Buying a garment off the peg means choosing an item in the size closest to your body measurements. Because the industry uses prototype measurements that fit a variety of body shapes, the item might fit you ‘well’ rather than perfectly. Body shapes are unique and individual, and we are often in-between the classic sizes. You might be a size 8 in your shoulders, and a size 10 in your hips. For this reason, most clothes we buy would benefit from some alterations.

Should I have all my clothes altered? 

Not all clothes need altering. Some can be worn with a more relaxed fit, and some short-term clothes are not worth altering because they might be ruined after several washes.

Instead, you should alter the clothes that are important to you; this might be a signature piece, clothes you want to wear for a special occasion, or an item that you love but that just doesn’t fit quite right.

In London, the city of fashion and professionalism, first impressions shape relationships. Well-fitted clothes contribute to confidence, comfort, and presence in encounters, meetings, shows, and presentations. Shakespeare’s insight—’the apparel oft proclaims the man’—remains relevant: properly altered garments matter.

Where should I have my garments altered? 

Depending on your garment type, quality and value, you might like to use a variety of alteration services and tailors. Your tailor around the corner can easily shorten a pair of standard jeans or taper the legs of suit trousers but might struggle with designer finishes like distressed looks or embroidery. Where should you bring those? Which alteration service can guarantee that your evening gown will be altered without compromising its style, finish, or proportions? Choosing the right service for the job at hand is critical.

Standard or high-quality alterations

What is the difference between standard alterations and high-quality alterations? Is it the fit, the finish, the attention to detail, or is there even more to it?

Before mass-produced clothes, sewing and tailoring were part of daily life, and people understood the quality of tailoring. Each garment had to last a long time before it was replaced. We have lost touch with the art of dressmaking, of tailoring, and of alterations, and so it can be challenging to choose the right services for various types of alteration requirements.

Whereas the overall aim of alterations is to ensure that the garment is wearable, high-quality alteration services make use of a person’s measurements, making sure the piece fits like a glove and that the alterations are invisible. Local tailors can be a sensible and good-value-for-money choice for simple alterations and repairs, but depending on the complexity and quality of your wardrobe, sometimes a professional service is essential.

High-quality alterations start with a professional fitting, during which the client’s garment is pinned to show what it will look like once the alterations have been completed. The fitter will first take measurements and then advise the client on which alterations are technically possible. It is important that the fitter has years of experience so that they can advise you properly regarding what is feasible and what will suit you best.

Original

Cheaper services tend to run an additional seam next to the original seam, e.g., tapering trouser legs or shortening dress hems, whereas quality services unpick and re-sew the hem with the same thread colour and stitching. This is the first hint of a quality alteration.

Proportions

The proportions of a garment should stay intact. If a garment needs to be taken in or let out, the amount should be distributed evenly across panels and garment elements to avoid affecting the proportions.

Finish

It is important that the finish of the alterations stays as close as possible to the original – a French seam should always stay a French seam, for instance. Certain finishes have been used for a reason (the French seam is regularly used to keep a tidy finish, often on a translucent fabric) and to compromise the garment’s finer details is almost always the same as compromising the entire garment.

Deciding that you want a designer wardrobe comes with the responsibility of looking after it. By choosing appropriate alteration services, you ensure the value of your item is preserved, whether you plan to wear it for many years or to resell it at some stage.

Well-fitted garments bring joy, and there is nothing more satisfying than leaving the house in the morning and thinking – “Gosh, I look amazing today!”

To find out more about high-quality alterations and how your wardrobe can benefit from an alteration overhaul, email reception@designandalter.com