Is Your Tailor Worth It? How I Review Local Tailors
A good tailor can make a $200 jacket look like $2,000. A bad one can ruin it. The problem is that most people pick a tailor based on whoever is closest to their dry cleaner.
That’s why I’m reviewing local tailors honestly. No sponsorships, no free alterations in exchange for a good write-up. I pay full price, just like you would.
How I rate every tailor
Price. I bring in the same basic jobs, like a trouser hem and a jacket sleeve shortening, so prices can be compared fairly.
Turnaround. How long did it actually take, and did they hit the date they promised?
Quality of work. Are the stitches clean and invisible? Does the garment hang the way it should? Did they listen to what I asked for?
I also note the things that don’t fit in a score: whether they gave honest advice, whether they talked me out of something that wouldn’t work, and how they handled questions.
What to ask any tailor before you hand over your clothes
Can you show me work you’ve done on a similar garment?
What’s the realistic turnaround, not the best case?
Is this alteration actually worth doing, or should I buy a different size?
A tailor who answers that last one honestly is worth keeping.
Have a tailor you think I should review? Let me know.
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