Tailoring 101
What Can Be Altered (and How
Much It’s Going to Cost You)
Tailoring is the secret weapon of every stylish man. Having a good tailor is
especially important for shorter gents. After all, most clothes don’t fit very well
right off the rack.
This mini guide shows you which parts of your shirts, jackets and pants can
be altered and how much it will cost.
Keep in mind that prices vary widely depending on where you live, but this
guide will give you a general idea about which alterations are cheap and
which ones are expensive.
Got it? Good. Let’s start with shirts...
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Button Up Shirts
Things to Consider: Unless you really love the shirt, it’s usually not worth
doing major surgery on it. That said, most shorter men will need the sleeves
shortened a bit, which is almost always worth it.
Having a shirt taken in (making it slimmer) is also a worthwhile alteration.
Jackets & Sportcoats
Things to Consider: When you’re trying on a suit jacket or blazer, it’s crucial
that the shoulders fit properly. If they’re too wide or narrow, or there’s too
much padding, don’t buy it. This is very difficult and expensive to fix (most
tailors won’t even do it).
Having the sleeves shortened is very easy IF the jacket sleeves have nonfunctioning buttons. Otherwise, it’s a costly alteration.
Pants (or Trousers)
Things to Consider: Pants length is extremely easy to fix. Most, if not all, of
your pants should be hemmed to the appropriate length.
When trying on pants, make sure they fit well and feel comfortable in the seat
(crotch) and thighs, as this is harder to tailor.
Summary
Print this guide out and hang it in your closet, or keep a copy on your phone.
Use it whenever you’re considering taking an article of clothing (or five) to the
tailor. And GO to the tailor - often.
It’s the easiest and most affordable way to look sharp every day. If you need
help finding a tailor you can trust, read this post.
Want more? Check out:
The Modest Man Style Guide:
www.themodestman.com/guide