Alterations 101 needed!

[chicbicyclista]

Hi all, I'm fairly new to the forum, but I lurk a bit, reading around the site for a couple of weeks now.

I have a bit of a dillema, I'm a small-ish guy, small on guy's sizes tend to run just a *little* bit big on me, so I can get away wearing some girl's stuff that don't have any frou-frous, ruffles, laces or any girly cuts. The trend of the girl jeans was a godsent.

I'm just wondering if any of can recommend or give any pointers if I want something like a shirt or a pair of jeans altered by a tailor/seamtress(can a seamstress alter a guy's clothing?). Any pointers at all. Is it better to have something altered in one of those dry cleaning places, or should I go to a place that only does altering, and nothing else? Where should I go if I want the more modern, fitted cuts? I'm also in the San Diego, so if you're a local, any recommendations? Any input is highly appreciated!

 

[coffeeandasmoke]

Most clothing shops have altering services. At least they do here in Vegas. I would say to ask the places where you shop, cause more likely than not, they get their clothes altered, also.

 

[litchickuk]

you usually get tailors in good quality dry cleaning outlets. thats where i take mine if i dont want to do it myself!

 

[softgrey]

depends on the complexity of the alteration...
if it's just hemming or shortening sleeves...
i go to the dry cleaner that has a good tailor...

if it is taking in something like a coat or jkt...
i go to a professional tailor...

 

[fashionista-ta]

I go to the best cleaners in town (at least that's what their wall of awards says, and I agree), and when I had a major thing that needed to be done, they actually suggested I deal directly with the tailor they would use. It was a pain b/c the cleaner's hours are better, but who knows, maybe I saved a markup, and I got to talk directly to them & make sure they understood what I wanted. So it doesn't hurt to ask for a referral ...

Also, whenever I've asked a store that I knew had a good tailor if I could bring something of my own in, they said sure. They'll charge you more than if you bought it there, but I figure it's not the time to get chintzy ... a bad tailor can ruin your stuff, a good tailor enhances everything.

 

[snickerdoodles]

I completely agree with softgrey. Also don't get a simple alteration or two done by a tailor to investigate the quality of their work before you allow them to revamp a garment completely. You want to have confidence in their skills.

 

[tott]

but I figure it's not the time to get chintzy ... a bad tailor can ruin your stuff, a good tailor enhances everything.

Exactly. If you've already spent hundreds (or even thousands) of dollars, why risk all that by saving a few?