Tailor off-the-rack dress shirts?
January 17, 2011 9:09 AM Subscribe
Is it possible/worth it to have a tailor alter my men's dress shirts to make them more slim-fit?
While on vacation, I bought 3 "slim-fit" shirts at a Brooks Brothers outlet. Tried one on and it felt a little big, but I thought I could deal. But after returning home and unpacking, I realized that the fit is not really acceptable. They fit at the shoulders, arms, and chest, but blouse out in the back and there's just too much loose fabric around the waist.
Then I went online and found that BB also sells "extra slim-fit" shirts. Ordered one of those and it fits great.
For various reasons, I can't return/exchange the original 3 shirts. So: is it realistic to have a tailor turn my "slim-fits" into "extra slim-fits"? Or is that likely to be too labor-intensive and expensive?
Bonus points if anyone can suggest a good tailor in midtown NYC.
While on vacation, I bought 3 "slim-fit" shirts at a Brooks Brothers outlet. Tried one on and it felt a little big, but I thought I could deal. But after returning home and unpacking, I realized that the fit is not really acceptable. They fit at the shoulders, arms, and chest, but blouse out in the back and there's just too much loose fabric around the waist.
Then I went online and found that BB also sells "extra slim-fit" shirts. Ordered one of those and it fits great.
For various reasons, I can't return/exchange the original 3 shirts. So: is it realistic to have a tailor turn my "slim-fits" into "extra slim-fits"? Or is that likely to be too labor-intensive and expensive?
Bonus points if anyone can suggest a good tailor in midtown NYC.
Considering they are Brooks Brothers shirts, I would go through the trouble of getting them altered.
(What are your measurements, by the way? I am/will be in your position soon enough.)
posted by griphus at 9:12 AM on January 17, 2011
(What are your measurements, by the way? I am/will be in your position soon enough.)
posted by griphus at 9:12 AM on January 17, 2011
Yes yes yes, it is totally worth it, and that work shouldn't be all that expensive. I can't speak directly for NYC, but I'd ask around and try to find someone 'off the grid' a bit, you'll usually find a better price.
Here in Portland Oregon, Barbara Evans is the QUEEN of tailoring. She works out of Avalon Vintage a few days a week, and her work is top notch. She's resized shirts for me for less than 20 bucks that need about more than the amount of work that you need done.
If you find an awesome, slightly off the grid tailor, it opens up your wardrobe a TON. If something doesn't fit 'quite right' (as long as it's a bit big) and i like it enough, it's usually worth the extra couple bucks to get it made to fit PERFECTLY.
posted by furnace.heart at 9:26 AM on January 17, 2011
Here in Portland Oregon, Barbara Evans is the QUEEN of tailoring. She works out of Avalon Vintage a few days a week, and her work is top notch. She's resized shirts for me for less than 20 bucks that need about more than the amount of work that you need done.
If you find an awesome, slightly off the grid tailor, it opens up your wardrobe a TON. If something doesn't fit 'quite right' (as long as it's a bit big) and i like it enough, it's usually worth the extra couple bucks to get it made to fit PERFECTLY.
posted by furnace.heart at 9:26 AM on January 17, 2011
Before BB came out with the non-iron, extra-slim-fit shirts, I had several slim-fit BB shirts tailored in San Francisco. I think it was $16/shirt and well worth it. They look great.
posted by ewiar at 9:35 AM on January 17, 2011
posted by ewiar at 9:35 AM on January 17, 2011
I've had this done with several shirts, and it's a hell of a lot better than folding the sides in or wearing it blousey. Your local drycleaner may be able to do it for you.
posted by Nahum Tate at 10:01 AM on January 17, 2011
posted by Nahum Tate at 10:01 AM on January 17, 2011
I've actually taken in my own casual shirts on a sewing machine, it could hardly be easier; just turn the shirt inside out and run a double seam from the bottom edge of the sleeve around the armpit and down to the hem, then cut off the excess.
But for nice dress shirts you should let a pro make flat seams – literally any dry-cleaning shop's tailor can take your shirts in, it costs very little. Take the extra-slim shirt to them as well to show them what you want.
I use Aphrodite on University place, which is across the street from Meurice which is one of the city's best but costs more. Hong Kong Tailor Jack on Waverly is excellent but has a long wait list. There's also Ramon down on Mulberry which is where some Soho men's stores (e.g. Varvatos) have sent me for alterations.
One caution: you want the sides taken in rather than darts added to the back which will make your shirts look like women's shirts. Also, when taking in the sides you can have the sleeve holes and the upper arms made smaller which you probably want as well.
posted by nicwolff at 10:10 AM on January 17, 2011 [2 favorites]
But for nice dress shirts you should let a pro make flat seams – literally any dry-cleaning shop's tailor can take your shirts in, it costs very little. Take the extra-slim shirt to them as well to show them what you want.
I use Aphrodite on University place, which is across the street from Meurice which is one of the city's best but costs more. Hong Kong Tailor Jack on Waverly is excellent but has a long wait list. There's also Ramon down on Mulberry which is where some Soho men's stores (e.g. Varvatos) have sent me for alterations.
One caution: you want the sides taken in rather than darts added to the back which will make your shirts look like women's shirts. Also, when taking in the sides you can have the sleeve holes and the upper arms made smaller which you probably want as well.
posted by nicwolff at 10:10 AM on January 17, 2011 [2 favorites]
Yes.
Olga, on Second Avenue between 18th and 19th, in the weird little shoe fixer place, just south of that terrible Italian restaurant on the corner of 19th and 2nd. DO NOT get your shoes fixed there, the shoe guy is horrible (I mean, my shoes came back oozing glue!) but Olga works in the front and is amazing. I've had her do insane alterations on things, she's magical.
posted by RJ Reynolds at 10:12 AM on January 17, 2011 [4 favorites]
Olga, on Second Avenue between 18th and 19th, in the weird little shoe fixer place, just south of that terrible Italian restaurant on the corner of 19th and 2nd. DO NOT get your shoes fixed there, the shoe guy is horrible (I mean, my shoes came back oozing glue!) but Olga works in the front and is amazing. I've had her do insane alterations on things, she's magical.
posted by RJ Reynolds at 10:12 AM on January 17, 2011 [4 favorites]
Guess I've just had bad experiences then! I was just thinking since your shirts are unworn you should be able to sell them at a fairly good price and get some extra slim fit shirts with the proceeds.
I retract my statement in view of more knowledgeable people.
posted by ODiV at 12:15 PM on January 17, 2011
I retract my statement in view of more knowledgeable people.
posted by ODiV at 12:15 PM on January 17, 2011
One of the problems, ODiV, is that getting slim-fit shirts is a pain in the ass enough. I've never even seen extra-slim-fit.
posted by griphus at 12:25 PM on January 17, 2011
posted by griphus at 12:25 PM on January 17, 2011
Response by poster: Thanks for all the great suggestions. I think I will go the tailor route. I was dreading the aggravation of re-selling. And it sounds like I may get a better result with tailored "slim-fits" than with untailored "extra-slim-fits." Plus, the outlet price was low enough that I can spend $20 more on tailoring each shirt without even feeling bad about it.
griphus: At least at Brooks Brothers, I wear 15.5/2-3 shirts. I'm 5'9.5" with a 32 inch waist. As noted, BB's "extra-slim-fit" shirts fit me pretty well, but I wouldn't mind if even they were a little bit more tapered.
posted by anonymice at 8:11 AM on January 18, 2011
griphus: At least at Brooks Brothers, I wear 15.5/2-3 shirts. I'm 5'9.5" with a 32 inch waist. As noted, BB's "extra-slim-fit" shirts fit me pretty well, but I wouldn't mind if even they were a little bit more tapered.
posted by anonymice at 8:11 AM on January 18, 2011
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Your shirts are new so you should be able to get some of the value back by reselling them.
posted by ODiV at 9:10 AM on January 17, 2011