Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with tailor

We all came out of Gogol's overcoat... but then it fell apart.

dnesan — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 05:51:14 -0800

Toronto & Southern Ontario Mefites, help me save my favorite winter coat! I have a wonderfully warm and comfortable woollen winter overcoat that has lasted me a decade of Toronto winters, but the lining is rather quickly shredding. I had it relined once about a year and a half ago, but they clearly did a rather shoddy job. I'm now looking for a tailor (or seamstress or whomever) that can replace the lining and do a good job of it, as I would like to keep this coat for as long as I can. I'm not looking for the cheapest option, but a reasonable price or good value is always nice.

Can anyone recommend places where you've had good experiences? I've read these AskMes, but I'm hoping someone might have a tailor that they know can reline a coat like nobody's business.

Call it "Tailor Tourism"

rileyray3000 — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 15:52:19 -0800

I'm thinking about taking a suit holiday. As in, going to a country where not only can I have a fun vacation, but I can get a bunch of suits made for a good price. Where should I go? When I was teaching in Korea back in 2001 I got a few suits made for me on a lark. Some were the kitschy kind of fun suits that you get made when they're 70 bucks American and you think "what the hell." In my case that was one red satin number and five iridescent sharkskin suits in colors ranging from blue to yellow to brown - all as shiny as a marine's dress shoes.

Goodfellas was one of the only American movies I saw over there. I think it left a mark.

But in addition to those suits I also got one charcoal gray suit made and one light brown one. Those two have been my standby suits ever since. I get compliments every time I wear them, they fit me perfectly and I worry about the day they finally fall apart.

Thus I've been considering a "Suit Holiday." Something where I go somewhere like South Korea, have an exotic trip, and get a bunch of suits made to take home and last me another decade.

But I'm wondering if South Korea IS the way to go here. Maybe Hong Kong? Or Taiwan? Or the Philippines? Or Indonesia? I'm totally open.

Where is the place I can get the best bang for my buck and get 5 or ten suits made to take home with me? Where would YOU go on a Suit Holiday?

Tailor in Bellingham?

bajema — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 11:19:57 -0800

Can anyone recommend a tailor in Bellingham, WA? I've got a jacket that needs the sleeves taken down a bit and am looking for recommendations on where to take it.

Need a new jacket lining that is hopefuly not stripey pink. In London.

ElmerFishpaw — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 04:03:07 -0800

My leather jacket needs a new lining. Im in London. Where should I go and what should I expect to pay?

Overseas tailors?

btkuhn — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 09:44:24 -0800

Please share your experiences with overseas tailors I'm looking to buy two new suits and some dress shirts. I don't know much about clothes, so while searching for posts on clothing advice for men I came across several threads discussing tailor-made clothes abroad. It looks like there are lots of tailors in HK, Vietnam, India, Thailand, etc who do this, and the prices (especially for Vietnam, India, Thailand) are much better than I would expect to pay here for an off the rack suit. So of course I'm interested in this. A trip to India or Vietnam would negate most or all of the cost-savings, but most of the websites I've come across have diagrams showing you how you can make measurements on yourself, send them in to them, and they will build your clothes based on these measurements.

So my questions are:

- Can you share your experiences with overseas tailors? Were you pleased with the quality, prices, etc? I'm interested especially in the places other than Hong Kong since prices seem to be higher there.

-Has anyone done the "take your own measurements" thing, and sent them to an overseas tailor? What are your experiences with this?

BTW, I'm not picky about clothes. I'm just looking for clothes that will look good at work and not wear out after a few months.

Thanks

Quick NYC Tailor

ecab — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 16:27:32 -0800

I'm in NYC and need to get some basic alterations done on a suit - but rather quickly. I need the pants, and probably sleeves, of a suit shortened. Ideally somewhere I could leave it tomorrow (or Monday, if that's when they are open) and get it back Wednesday.

Is this possible? I'm on the UWS, but would go wherever in Manhattan to get it done.

Poor student doesn't want to buy new suits for his new job

demagogue — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 10:09:29 -0800

Men's suit-filter: Went to the tailor to get a couple of my suit jackets looked at. They told me that it wasn't that the shoulder was too tight (which I'd thought was the problem), but it was that the there wasn't enough room in the sleeve, in the area around my triceps. And upon opening up the inside of the sleeve, the tailor pronounced that there wasn't enough fabric to make the sleeve significantly bigger. Is there any way around this? Thanks MeFites!

Questions from Thailand

vegetableagony — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 20:40:39 -0800

Tips for a trip to Thailand in August: Full Moon Party, Climbing in Krabi, Visiting Angkor Wat, Tailor in Bangkok. I am about to head off on a 2 week trip to Thailand and Cambodia, I held off on asking a question about the trip since there is so much good information already posted here, but now I've accumulated a couple of questions I couldn't find answered elsewhere.

I want to make an appearance at the Full Moon Party, but I am a little uncertain about accommodations. A lot of the information on the internet mentions a minimum 3 day stay during the full moon period. If I show up earlyish on the day of would I be able to find a place for only 2 nights (any suggestions where, I don't care very much where only the island I am)? Or is it better to just stay on Ko Samui and just come over for the night?

I also want to head over to Krabi to give climbing there a try (I've gone climbing a couple of times but not a ton). Is it possible to climb even though I'll be there during the rainy season? How much should I expect to spend to rent equipment and have someone to lead me on a climb?

Some of the posts from years past have mentioned the overland trip from Bangkok to Siem Reap (for Angkor Wat) as being particularly hellish. Has anyone given it a try more recently (it sounds like the roads might have been fixed up a bit)? I was considering flying Bangkok to Siem Reap and then coming back by bus to save a bit of money.

Can any one recommend a reputable tailor in Bangkok. I want to get some decent quality dress shirts made.

Thanks askmefi.

Current plan would involve 3 days in Bangkok, 2 in Ko Pha Ngan, 2 in Krabi, 3 in Chiang Mai and 3 in Siem Reap. Any one think I should change that around to add more time to one of the locations?

Recommend a very experienced tailor in Boston/Cambridge area to make my suite look awesome on me.

seanmhobson1988 — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 21:25:48 -0800

So I just bought this suit from MACY's. I already have a tie and pocket square in mind to match, and I want to meet with someone who can take my measurements and make the suite bring out my best features. I'd also like to have them suggest the size French cuff shirt I should wear as well. Preferably this person would have tons of experience and would not be too pricey. I'm thinking this should be under $60, as this is an off the rack suit and only slight alterations are being made.

Thanks for any help

Looking for a good women's tailor in Los Angeles.

scody — Sat, 30 May 2009 17:12:45 -0800

Looking for a good women's tailor in Los Angeles. For simple things (hemming, etc.), my dry cleaner is fine. But I've got some suit pants and a few blazers that need more significant alterations, so I'm looking for specific recommendations (i.e., someone who does reliably good work, but who won't break the bank).

I live in the Toluca Lake/Studio City area, so I'd prefer someone in that part of the Valley, but would also be happy with Burbank, Pasadena, Hollywood/West Hollywood, or Fairfax/Miracle Mile areas.

Thanks!

What modifications can a tailor make

ShootTheMoon — Thu, 28 May 2009 07:33:58 -0800

I have never been to a tailor before. What exactly can a tailor do? Extend, chop shorten, etc? What are good prices? I'm a big deal shopper, so my clothes are often purchased on a range of sizes, as I want to get the best deal. I have jeans that are too long, too tight on the waist, too short. Jacket arms that are too short and tight. Shirts that are too big on the shoulder. And about everything in between.

Could a tailor help me with these things? What else can a tailor typically accomplish? What kind of prices should I be looking for?

He can't go to work naked...

Meg_Murry — Thu, 07 May 2009 10:15:19 -0800

Can anyone recommend a tailor in Pittsburgh, preferably not downtown? My SO has a suit in need of some tailoring (he bought it at a discount place without an on-site tailor). We're living in Bloomfield and he works in Oakland, so the closer to home or work the better. We do have a car, but not a lot of free time, so a short drive would be fine. Thanks!

Looking for a tailor in Chicago.

wfrgms — Mon, 04 May 2009 17:20:06 -0800

Chicago-filter: Can you recommend a competent and not too expensive tailor? (Bonus questions about alterations inside.) Looking for a tailor, preferably one near UIC / Greektown / Little Italy, but one in the Loop would be good also. Will travel for the right place.

As for the alterations:

I've realized the sleeves on one of my suit jackets are too short by about an inch. Luckily* it's a cheaper suit so there aren't faux button holes, just buttons which can be moved without weirdness. What should this alteration run me, money-wise?

The other issue concerns some dress shirts. I have three that are too long. I wear a 33 sleeve and these are 35. Can yo take in dress shirt sleeves? It's probably a lost cause, but I did pay a lot for these shirts and they fit fine in the neck and shoulders...

Thanks for any advice!

*Then again if I had paid more it probably would have been altered right the first time.

A more suitable tailor?

B-squared — Mon, 04 May 2009 05:42:55 -0800

Can anyone recommend a good men's tailor in the Upper Valley region (between VT and NH)?

The Thread of the Apple

jameslavelle3 — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 07:44:59 -0800

I'm looking for a good Men's tailor in midtown NYC to do work on a bunch of suits and sports coats. I have about 4 or 5 men's suits and a couple sports coats I need to get pretty substantially tailored, and some may even untailorable due to size difference.

I live in midtown NYC in the east 50's and thought seeking out a recommended tailor would be a worthwhile venture, given the size and potential cost of the job. The local places on seemingly every block are okay for dry cleaning and simple tailoring, but I haven't had great experiences in terms of cost, confidence in advice/skill and language barriers.

Any recommendations would be appreciated.

Where to get custom made suit in Bay Area?

Nickel — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 23:47:43 -0800

Recommend a tailor in the Bay Area to create a custom made suit. I am a 25 year old female about to finish grad school and enter The Real World. I would like to have one good quality power suit for interviews but department store shopping is frustrating and fruitless. I can't find anything that flatters my body type, is a complementary color, and is good quality. I've decided to scrimp and save and use my tax refund to buy a custom made suit that I can use for years. So...where do I go?

Can you recommend any tailors in the Bay Area (Oakland/Berkeley preferred, but I'm willing to travel for quality) with experience in female business suits?

Quick alterations in Chicago?

Ultra Laser — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 08:50:44 -0800

I need suggestions for a place that can do quick alterations in Chicago. Asking for my wife... she has a suit that needs some alterations done very quickly (i.e. one day turnaround). Any recommendations for places that can do this in Chicago (preferably close to Bucktown/Wicker Park)?

Unfortunately, she recently had to break up with her usual dry cleaner/alterations place over a pair of poorly hemmed pants, but now she's sort of lost in looking for a new place.

Yes, I saw this but not much info there.

Moon over Parma, find me a freaking tailor I can trust

chesty_a_arthur — Sat, 28 Mar 2009 13:00:12 -0800

Cleveland fashion help: awesome shoestore and a decent tailor. While Nordstrom's has its place for shoes, I wonder if there are any cool local Cleveland shoe stores, preferably on the East side (but distance is no object!) ... and while you're at it, can you recommend a tailor who can hem jeans the right way (i.e. so they look like a jean hem, not regular pants)? I've been burned by a tailor who shall remain nameless (rhymes with Schmeits, on Schmoventry) and my jeans look dorky.

finding the perfect fit

Jason and Laszlo — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 05:47:20 -0800

Looking for an expert tailor in Chicago. I can't seem to find someone who can tailor pants with precision, even basic hemlines. Ideally the tailor would be on the northside or the loop.

(personal recommendations only please, not Yelp). thanks.

Hello and welcome to QI, these are my whimsical cufflinks!

cowbellemoo — Sun, 25 Jan 2009 15:22:53 -0800

I'm a big guy and I'd like to get a dress shirt with French cuffs. Are there great online sellers for shirts like this, or perhaps you know of a better brick and mortar shop around Maryland/Washington, D.C. that can help me out? The local big guy store's French cuff selection is limited to Italian Mobster chic (striped lavender), while I'm going for more of a Stephen Fry look – a cream or white shirt to go with my dark gray corduroy jacket. I'd like it to be long, too, so it stays tucked into my pants without fuss.

No pressing deadline or budget, so maybe that opens up custom-made shirts from a tailor? Fit and comfort are much more important than style or formality, for this shirt.

Measurements, in case that's helpful:
20 neck, 36 sleeve, 60 chest

How will my tailored coat turn out?

whataboutben — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 15:18:02 -0800

Tailoring question: Tell me what to expect if I have my wool coat altered. Details and pictures inside. I have very little experience with having clothes tailored, so I have no idea what is possible and what isn't.

I own a wool peacoat. I would like the sleeves to be 1 inch, possibly 2 inches longer. I asked two tailors if it could be done, and they both said yes. I'm assuming this would be done by taking out the hem and using the extra fabric that is already there (about 1 inch).

Here are pictures of the sleeves:

Outside detail
Inside detail
Outside and inside

Is this a common task that tailors perform? How good of a job can I expect them to do on this? Will the sleeve edges look exactly the same as before on the outside? How about on the inside? Will there be crease marks where the hem used to be?

Now, lets say I wanted to lengthen the sleeves by greater than one inch -- since it doesn't look like the hem is more than one inch, should I assume this is not possible? Or are there some magic tailoring tricks I am not thinking of?

Give me any details you can think of -- don't assume I know anything just because it's obvious.

Thanks.

Who in San Francisco can fix my coat for me?

gingerbeer — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 22:52:49 -0800

Can you recommend a seamstress or tailor in San Francisco? I need to replace the lining in my favorite vintage winter coat. I had a great seamstress who made my wedding dress, but she is no longer around, and I need to find someone new. Replacing the lining's a pretty simple job, I would think, although I have a few other things that could use some alteration.

Someone in the Mission or Marina would be ideal, but I'm happy to go anywhere in the city for a good person. Competent, quick, friendly, and not wildly expensive are other criteria.

Grief for an old suit

polyglot — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 00:44:51 -0800

I've finally worn through the arse of my lovely old suit that has served me well for the previous decade. I need a new one and therefore seek advice on what to get. The old suit was an Anthony Squires (I'm in Australia) and it was really very good. From my googling, it seems that it probably was as good as it's possible for a nearly off-the-rack suit to be, the downside being that they want AUD1300 (AUD1620 with 2 trousers) to replace it. Most of the salesmen I've talked to tell me that the Squires is up there with Armani and Zegna (AUD2500ish) quality-wise but without the brand-name premium. The mandatory Squires anecdote is that all Australian Prime Ministers since Menzies (except Keating) wore one.

I see that the median price for a non-crap suit here in Australia (Boss, Rembrandt, Studio Italia, etc) is about AUD800.

So my first request is two-fold. Is the Squires really as good as all that, i.e. is it (ignoring differences in fitment that will be dependent on the wearer) as well-made as a Zegna or Armani and will it last as long? And is it twice as good as the $800 suits seen in all the menswear stores, i.e. will it last twice as long?

I'd also like to get a Hong Kong made-to-measure suit, but I have a wedding to go to in 2 weeks and then meeting new employers a week after that. I don't believe that's enough time for a good tailor to build me a suit but feel free to tell me I'm wrong and point me to one that can!

My final question is: are there any suit outlets in Australia (specifically Adelaide) that I should be considering? If there's one you've been particularly happy with, I'd like to hear about it.

Is it possible to have a sports jacket / blazer shortened?

phyrewerx — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 17:14:42 -0800

Is it possible to have a sports jacket / blazer shortened? I bought an off-the-rack sports jacket on sale from a fairly decent mid-end store (think Banana Republic or J Crew). The jacket's shoulders and waist fit perfectly but it's a little long (it falls about 6 inches from the knees). Is it possible to have the jacket shortened? Is it worth-it given the fact that the jacket retails for $300 and I got it about half-off?

Things to see/eat/do in Hong Kong?

electroboy — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 11:21:39 -0800

Things to see/eat/do in Hong Kong? I'm tagging along with my wife while she attends a conference next month in Hong Kong. We've gotten a Lonely Planet guide and plan to watch the episode of No Reservations where Bourdain visits Hong Kong, but are looking for recommendations for things to do, places to eat and places to stay.

So here's some info about us:

1. Outdoorsy, active, city dwellers.
2. We'll be there for just about a week, around Oct 10-19.
3. Adventurous eaters. Not so much into night clubbing, but dining out and drinking are always good.
4. We're considering visiting Macau, but hadn't planned to visit mainland China unless it's for something spectacular as our time is limited.
5. I'd like to get some tailored shirts and possibly suits, so tailor recommendations would be especially helpful, especially those that ship to the US and who I could use on an ongoing basis.
6. Are there any rugby matches going on in mid-October? Local or international, sevens or union. Hell, I might even watch a league match.

Thanks for the help!