The (hopefully) definitive thread on NYC tailors

[Leonard Leroy]

how much would it cost to take in a blazer? I'm not sure if taking in a blazer is pretty much waist supression, but ya.

would it be possible on this? I don't mind the placement of the pockets going too out of whack. vestigial anyway.

 

[highball]

Can anyone recommend somebody for alterations in the Bryant park area? I work right near here and haven't been able to turn anything up with the search function that's in this area. I've been using Leung's uptown but I usually work longer hours than they're open. Thanks!

 

[eric_cc]

Bringing this thread back up.

Any experience with Brooks Brothers madison ave. in house tailors? Particular tailors to request or stay away from?

Thanks!

 

[Charlie]

Looking for a good alterations tailor located close to the Penn Station/Times Square area. Thanks.

 

[highball]

Originally Posted by Charlie

Looking for a good alterations tailor located close to the Penn Station/Times Square area. Thanks.

I am also looking for the same thing. You could try these guys at 37th & broadway: Giliberto Custom Tailor

I've not had any experience with them, but looked them up because I saw them mentioned in this thread and they're near my office. When I called they were backed up and had something like a 2-3 week turnaround (the main alterations guys were on vacation). Some of their prices seemed kind of ridiculous, around $25 I believe for hemming pants. I think it was a little more reasonable for taking in jackets and sleeves, but still pricey. Let us know if you find anyone, and how the work turns out.

If anyone has any other suggestions for tailors in this area, I am all ears.

 

[bigbjorn]

I just bought a suit here and I think I'll need to have the shoulders shortened from the shoulders. If it's even advisable, Cardelino or Wilfred? Anyone had sleeves shortened from the shoulders at either place? Happy with the work? I've had Cardelino do some other alterations, but nothing quite so challenging.

If not, then I suppose it'll reappear as in the "For sale" forum...

 

[highball]

Originally Posted by bigbjorn

I just bought a suit here and I think I'll need to have the shoulders shortened from the shoulders. If it's even advisable, Cardelino or Wilfred? Anyone had sleeves shortened from the shoulders at either place? Happy with the work? I've had Cardelino do some other alterations, but nothing quite so challenging.

If not, then I suppose it'll reappear as in the "For sale" forum...

(Bump.) I have a suit and an overcoat that I need to have this done to as well. I have not used either Wilfred's or Cardelino and from what I've read here I'm inclined to go with Wilfred's. Can anyone else weigh in before I take the plunge? Cardelino, Wilfred or somewhere else? Thanks!

 

[gdl203]

I just had 5 or 6 suits, 7 pants and 3 or 4 coats altered by Wilfred in the last two weeks and I can confirm that (a) he his still expensive, (b) the work is still great and if any issues, they will re-do and fix (often on the spot while you wait) and (c) reception staff is lovely.

Most of the work was pretty standard jacket take-in, pants cuffs and sleeves/buttons, but there were also a couple pants that he transformed from double pleats to flat front and they are perfect. + Another suit jacket where he moved the button 1/8 of an inch to compensate for a strange pull happening because of my dropped shoulder. All good stuff.

Wilfredo tends to be quite conservative so I'd make sure you're very clear with your instructions, particularly sleeve length and pants length (he would tend to do both a bit too long)

 

[highball]

Originally Posted by gdl203

I just had 5 or 6 suits, 7 pants and 3 or 4 coats altered by Wilfred in the last two weeks and I can confirm that (a) he his still expensive, (b) the work is still great and if any issues, they will re-do and fix (often on the spot while you wait) and (c) reception staff is lovely.

Most of the work was pretty standard jacket take-in, pants cuffs and sleeves/buttons, but there were also a couple pants that he transformed from double pleats to flat front and they are perfect. + Another suit jacket where he moved the button 1/8 of an inch to compensate for a strange pull happening because of my dropped shoulder. All good stuff.

This is good to hear. I'm tempted to give them a try (however, see below). Any experience with quality/pricing on taking in sleeves at the shoulders?

Originally Posted by gdl203

Wilfredo tends to be quite conservative so I'd make sure you're very clear with your instructions, particularly sleeve length and pants length (he would tend to do both a bit too long)

This is what I'm worried about, and along with communication & location is the reason I am no longer using Leung's on 92nd & Lex. I'm a pretty young guy and prefer what some would consider a VERY modern silhouette. Frankly it's been a pain to get any tailor to do alterations to the degree that I'm looking for. Does anyone have any recommendations for high quality "modern" tailors in Manhattan that will do alterations?

 

[grimslade]

Wilfred will do whatever you ask him to, as long as you're clear about it. I recently had a couple of suits done there, and I had to dicker with him over the sleeve length, but he did what I asked him to in the end.

 

[gdl203]

Originally Posted by grimslade

Wilfred will do whatever you ask him to, as long as you're clear about it. I recently had a couple of suits done there, and I had to dicker with him over the sleeve length, but he did what I asked him to in the end.
Exactly. If you ask him to take a jacket in by several inches, he will explain to you the problems that will come with it (break along the chest, potential issues with the vents or pockets) but if you still ask him to do it, he will. As long as you know what you want, he will do it for you - if you're not happy with the work, he will re-do it for you.

 

[KaiserSose]

I feel pretty unsettled after reading through this entire thread twice.

This week I made my first big clothing purchase. I spent over 8hours at Saks, dealt with the chaos and came out with seven dress shirts that fit me well (except the sleeves) and look great. Given that I am just starting out in my career and do not have much in savings yet this purchase was monetarily significant to me. Prior to this trip I had never spent more than $50 on a shirt before!

Given both the money & time I invested in my recent purchase I really don't want anything to go wrong. As pathetic as it sounds, I would be pretty devasted. I called Wilfred's today hoping that their prices would be reasonable, but they quoted me $30 a shirt to shorten the sleeves. Since I've already crossed my cost threshold, I can't really afford this. It sounds like Cardelino's is more reasonably priced, but there has been some really negative feedback in this thread about them lately. One poster even said they ruined one of his shirts.

So I was hoping someone could give me some more feedback on Cardelino's work on shirts. I'm also open to other suggestions.

Also, if these tailors mess up a shirt, is it free to have it fixed?

Thanks

 

[gdl203]

Can't speak for Cardelino but Wilfred won't let you leave the shop unhappy - they'll redo it until you're satisfied with the alteration you paid for.

 

[grimslade]

Cardelino has always fixed things (like sleeve length) when they get them wrong without complaint. But taking up sleeves and letting out waists are the only sorts of alterations I've ever asked them to do. Anything more involved, I've taken to Wilfred.

 

[CunningSmeagol]

Originally Posted by gdl203

Can't speak for Cardelino but Wilfred won't let you leave the shop unhappy - they'll redo it until you're satisfied with the alteration you paid for.

In Boston, if you are unsatisfied and tell him, you will be yelled at.