Rather than throwing away your old garments, recycle them. A tailor is your savior in this situation. But how can you tell a good from a bad one? Here are some tips on how to find a tailor who’s right for your needs, budget and style.

A tailor is a professional who alters the size and fit of your clothes. Generally, they specialize in men’s clothing and suits. If you’ve ever attempted to adjust your clothes, you’ll understand how difficult it is. Tailoring requires an art for design, fitting and finishing garments.

The art of tailoring dates back to the early Middle Ages. The first tailors’ purpose was to create custom, lined garments worn under heavy armor. From this skill, it expanded to Western Europe during the 12^th and 14^th centuries. However, before this time, garments were made from a single material and created just to conceal the body.

During the Renaissance, clothes became more than a necessity, but became a way for people to express their personality. At this point, tailors existed to reveal how the attitude of clothing began to change. Many believe that the purpose of tailors was to prove that fashion was becoming a concept.

By the 1100s, a tailor was considered a high-end occupation. Working in this industry was a privilege and many kings hired professionals to amend their garments for them. Tailors then became the face of a business and owned and ran shops. Each tailor had a signature style which was different from the next tailor.

If you find a tailor who is right for you, there are many benefits. Looking and feeling good in your clothes is often about the fit. This means that your clothes fit comfortably and show off your body in a flattering way. Appearing healthy and attractive helps to boost your confidence. The goal of custom-made clothing is to adjust clothes to your personal measurements so they’re easy and comfortable to wear. Clothes which are too tight or loose can bring down your confidence, and also be unpractical.  

Clothes which are tailor-made are produced from high-quality materials. At the hands of professionals, they’re scrutinized with every detail and tailors aim for perfection. Tailors are able to make adjustments on the spot and recognize inconsistencies in your garments too.

As a result, tailors keep your fabric durable and looking the best they possibly can. Before the process begins, you can choose the fabrics you’d like on your garments. This means that you can create the perfect clothes which suit your environment and style.

A tailor also helps to make your clothes more personal to bring out your individuality. Many love getting creative by adding different fabrics, colours and meaning to your wardrobe.

If you’re looking to find a tailor, there are a few things you’ll need to consider. Good tailors aren’t always easy to come by. You’ll need to consider their reputation and how their services can transform your clothing and your confidence. Take your time before forking out to a business you’ve never heard of. Here are a few ways to help you find a tailor.

When you’re ready to find a tailor, you want to choose someone who communicates with you well and has a matching personality. When you’re in contact with your tailor, you’ll communicate with them often. This can be in person, over the phone or even via e-mail. Do they reply to your messages? Are they free when you need them? You want your tailor to listen to you, rather than trying to change your mind and push you in a direction you don’t want to go down.

A tailor shouldn’t rush you because they’ve got other things to do and people to see. Instead, they should value your presence and time. To find a tailor who’s skilled, they’ll need to understand your vision and try to apply it, rather than ignore your wishes. Making sure that both parties are clear is important. It needs to feel like a long-term partnership and someone you feel comfortable talking to.

It might sound obvious, but it’s important that your tailor has an understanding of fashion and style. Are their collections outdated and not your style? You want to find a tailor who is in line with your designs, colours and patterns. Each individual person has a personal fashion taste, but you want your tailor to have a similar style to yours.

Ask if you can see samples of their work which validates their best work. Study the garment(s) to see if there’s excellent attention to detail. If they have any past references from customers, that’d be helpful to give you a feel for their level of customer service too.

If a tailor doesn’t have any example pieces to show you, be wary. Although everyone deserves a shot in the first stages of their career, you deserve to see some examples before handing over your money. As you look through their work, ask questions about the level of work involved and what the customer specified.

Some of the world’s best tailors are in high demand. However, this means that their turnaround takes a lot longer. If you’re looking to find a tailor who can deliver high-quality work in a short time period, perhaps a small business would be better suited.

The price of your tailor is also an additional reflection of how quick their service is. In an ideal world, your tailor can would accommodate emergency fashion fixes. This may or may not be a priority to you, and it also depends on how often you plan on using your tailor.   

Your tailor should get to know your needs and tastes, and be able to advise fashion fixes when you’re confused. Check their availability and how much notice they need. Some are free/willing to make adjustments within 24 hours, whereas others may need at least 48 hours to tailor your outfits.

If you’re looking to find a tailor you can use for many years to come, it’s worth having a test-run of their services first. Ask if they offer a discount for your first time. Many do, and have experience in handling delicate materials and valuable pieces. In order to trust your tailor with your beloved garments, you both need to have a strong and trusted relationship.

If you’re ready to take the plunge and have your first garments tailored, trial them with an inexpensive item of clothing. You don’t want to take a risk with a designer dress or value material if you’re still weary of how it’ll turn out. This is quite understandable and common, as well as a great way to test their skills. By doing this you get to observe their talents, and see how well they listen to you and perform under pressure.

Fashion is no longer a necessity, but a form of expression. What we wear introduces us to strangers and presents us in a way we want to be perceived. We hope you enjoyed reading our top tips on how to find a tailor. If you did, please share this article to inform others.

Alternatively, if you have any tips on how to find a tailor, we’d love to hear from you. Share your advice and opinions in the comments to keep this conversation going.

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