First time to the Tailor (hemming, and other alterations), tips, tricks, advice?

[effang]

Hello, going to the tailor today. I have a few questions.

1.\tAre prices negotiable? If you bring multiple items to work on, does it get cheaper? Or in general are prices fixed.

2.\tAre department store tailors any good? For example, I know Saks and other department stores offer alterations on-site. I have used their services previously, but I really have no basis for comparison.

3.\tWhat should I know? I feel like alterations is one of those services I should ask and demand specifically what I want, and not have to pay for something that is done poorly.

4.\tAny other advice? What to wear, what to bring, etc.

Thanks!

 

[effang]

bump...

 

[Siggy]

First rule is make sure you wear the usual correct size dress shirt if you are having a suit jacket or blazer altered. Your shirt sleeves should be at the correct place in order to assist in getting your jacket sleeve altered to the correct length.

Same idea for the trousers. Make sure you wear a pair of dress shoes. Also make sure when you are having the trousers fitted that you wear a belt and have the trousers at the correct spot on your waist, where you will later be wearing the trousers...a centimeter higher or lower can make a difference.

Make sure the tailor alters to the length and break you want, not too long like 98% of tailors want.

Tell the tailor how you want the buttons (kissing etc) and if you want fake button holes, cuffs on the trousers, size of cuffs, trouser tape, etc.

Department store tailors can be ok for simple alterations, but for anything beyond that (i.e., beyond sleeve and trousers) I would seek out a pro.

For prices, it never hurts to ask.

 

[Tarmac]

I would never take a valuable or irreplaceable item to a tailor for the first time at that tailor. Have them hem a pair or pants, or take them in, have them shorten sleeves on a shirt or something first. See if they do a good job.

 

[effang]

Originally Posted by Tarmac

I would never take a valuable or irreplaceable item to a tailor for the first time at that tailor. Have them hem a pair or pants, or take them in, have them shorten sleeves on a shirt or something first. See if they do a good job.

that is good advice...i was reading further online, you're apparently supposed to develop a relationship with your tailor.

i guess for me that idea is totally foreign. cheap tailoring solutions in Taipei, Taiwan (hemming, darting, letting pants in/out) is extremely cheap, and done efficiently. i guess i'm just not familiar with working up a relationship just so that he can correctly tailor my h&m/zara shirts...

thanks, i'll keep testing!