Cost of suit alternations in Toronto? Shirt cuffs too low?

[chip2chip]

I brought a suit to the local dry cleaner (King West Village Cleaner) to get some alterations done. He charges $12 to take in the waist and $38 to shorten the sleeves. Is that in line with what you guys are paying? Keep in mind this is in $CAD, so in $USD that would be $11 and $35.

He also tried to talk me out of shortening the suit sleeves. You can't see any cuff, but for some reason he thinks they're long enough. He told me that my shirt cuffs are too high on my hand and I should move the button to let the shirt cuff drop down farther. What do you think, is there something wrong with the position of my cuffs?

 

[bowtielover]

No, but things may be diffrent up where you are. Usualy I pay 12-15 for the waist and about the same for sleeves maybe 3$ more but not as much of a diffrence between the two as you mentioned. Ususaly when you see that it is because it is an alteration that the tailor is not comfortable with and will charge more for the difficulty. You would hate to pay that much to have the sleeves done and not be to your satisfaction. I would shop around first before settling.
To your other question, the sleeves do look a bit long. You can tell because the sleeves are bunching up around the elbows. It sounds to me like he just dosen't like to do sleeves and told you that to avoid doing them, that is probably why is charged you so much to do the sleeves in the jacket. I would stay away from him for future reference.

 

[Albern]

Is your concern the length of your jacket cuffs? All I can see in the post is shirt, pants, but no jacket.

More importantly, even though these should be straight forward alterations why are you bringing this to an alterantionist at a dry cleaner? I don't know about anyone else but I think you would get a lot more value bringing this to someone who is more expert in tailoring; like an actual tailor.

You can search for thread titles with "Toronto" in it and several thread on Toronto tailors will show up; of which who are competent in alterations and who are master level tailors.

I've always suggested to people Xavier Custom Tailor who is in fact a master tailor but also does a lot of alterations. I have no affiliation with him whatsoever but he has yet to let me down when I bring stuff in.

 

[Nicola]

He's asking if the shirt cuffs are sitting right.

 

[Master-Classter]

Hey, T-Dot here... My tailor charges $35 for suit sleeve shortening, so it's about on par.

Your shirt sleeve cuff is sitting in the right place, I jsut think the actual sleeves might be a bit too long, hence the bunching. That's where they should fall on the top of your hands, no further down.

In terms of "showing cuff", I find it also depends a bit on the fit of the jacket. For example if it's quite slim around the chest and if the arm holes are too low then the sleeves tend to pull up a bit too much as you're wearing them / moving around... So in general, if you're standing still, I actually like to have them just pretty much hit the same point as my shirt sleeves, maybe show 1/4 inch, becuase as you walking around they'll pull back further.

 

[Bird's One View]

Originally Posted by chip2chip

He also tried to talk me out of shortening the suit sleeves. You can't see any cuff, but for some reason he thinks they're long enough. He told me that my shirt cuffs are too high on my hand and I should move the button to let the shirt cuff drop down farther. What do you think, is there something wrong with the position of my cuffs?

I wouldn't want them any lower than that.

 

[AndrewRogers]

Your cuffs are perfect on your shirt where they are. If the suit isn't showing anything, it's too long in the sleeves. Don't worry about what your tailor says. Ask him to do the alterations, but don't go overboard.

 

[chip2chip]

Originally Posted by bowtielover

It sounds to me like he just dosen't like to do sleeves and told you that to avoid doing them, that is probably why is charged you so much to do the sleeves in the jacket. I would stay away from him for future reference.

Yeah, I got the impression that he was reluctant to do the sleeves. I've already given it to him to do so I'll see how it goes this time. But in the meantime I'll keep looking for a better place.

Originally Posted by Albern

I've always suggested to people Xavier Custom Tailor who is in fact a master tailor but also does a lot of alterations. I have no affiliation with him whatsoever but he has yet to let me down when I bring stuff in.

Is Xavier the one at Yonge and St. Joseph? I used to live on St. Joseph, but now I've moved down to King West and getting back there is a bit of a hike. Maybe I'll try Xavier next time though.

Originally Posted by Master-Classter

Hey, T-Dot here... My tailor charges $35 for suit sleeve shortening, so it's about on par.

Hey Master-Classter, which tailor do you use?

 

[Master-Classter]

I go to a guy Jack, at Club 10 Tailors in Promenade mall. Closer to where I live. He's pretty much always done a good job on various tasks, not cheap, but reasonably priced.

 

[Albern]

Yes that's him. He's actually on St. Mary's Street but close enough; 10 St. Mary's to be exact - north side of the street just to the west of Yonge Street.

 

[chip2chip]

Thanks for the replies. Promenade mall is a little far for me, but I may try Xavier next.