What is Tailoring?
Tailoring is the alteration of clothing to achieve a precise, flattering fit for your individual body. Because off-the-rack clothing is designed for standardized body proportions, almost no one is perfectly served by default sizing. Tailoring bridges the gap between how a garment is cut and how your body is shaped, transforming good clothes into great-looking ones. Common tailoring alterations include: hemming pants and skirts to the right length, taking in or letting out waists on trousers and skirts, tapering pant legs for a slimmer profile, shortening or adjusting jacket sleeves, darting shirts and blouses for a closer fit through the torso, and adjusting shoulder seams. Most of these alterations cost between $10 and $40 and take a few days. More complex work — restructuring shoulders, altering lined jackets, or reworking a garment's proportions — costs more and requires a skilled tailor. The best strategy is to buy for your largest measurement and tailor down. If your shoulders fit but the waist is loose, buy for the shoulders and have the waist taken in. Building a relationship with a good local tailor is one of the most valuable investments in your personal style — it means every piece you buy can be optimized for your body, making even affordable clothing look custom.
You buy a blazer off the rack that fits your shoulders but billows at the waist and has sleeves an inch too long. A tailor takes in the side seams, shortens the sleeves, and suddenly the same blazer looks bespoke. Total cost: $35 in alterations on top of the purchase price.
How TRY helps
TRY suggests outfit combinations from the clothes you already own. Upload your wardrobe, pick an occasion, and get ideas that fit your style—including staples and formulas that work.
Start with TRYFrequently Asked Questions
What's worth tailoring and what isn't?
Tailor pieces you wear frequently and that are made from quality fabric: blazers, trousers, dress shirts, and coats. Don't tailor cheap fast-fashion items that won't survive many washes — the alteration might cost more than the garment. Also avoid altering shoulders on jackets (expensive and risky) and anything more than two sizes too large (there isn't enough structure to reshape).
How do I find a good tailor?
Ask well-dressed people in your area for recommendations. Bring a simple job first (hemming pants) to test their work before trusting them with complex alterations. A good tailor will tell you what's possible and what isn't, suggest solutions you didn't consider, and deliver consistent results. Expect to try 2-3 tailors before finding your go-to.