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Is it worth it to have your clothes tailored?

Tailoring is the process of altering your clothes to fit your unique shape. It will make your wardrobe feel better, look sharper, and last longer. You’ve likely owned something that almost worked and spent most of its life in the back of a drawer. Most clothes are made to fit standard sizes, but for real bodies, there is no such thing as “standard”. In fact, 74% of fashion executives say that fit issues are the main reason their garments get returned. In this article, we’ll cover what to tailor, how to spot when something needs it, and why a great fit outlasts any brand name.

What is tailored clothing?

Tailored clothing is anything that’s been adjusted to fit your body, not a standard size. It could be taking something in, letting it out, shortening the sleeves, or reshaping the hem. The goal is simple: to make the piece feel like it was made for you. Freepik [1]

The case for tailoring: Fit is everything

A good tailor will ask the right questions, explain what’s possible, and genuinely care about how the final fit looks and feels. Ideally, you want someone with experience in the type of clothing you’re altering, whether that’s suits, dresses, uniforms, or your everyday staples. Honesty also matters. A great tailor will let you know when a piece isn’t worth altering or if it won’t give you the result you’re after. LookSmart tailors work across a wide range of garments and fabrics, with most stores offering a fast turnaround on standard alterations. Whether you need a quick hem adjustment or a full reshaping, they’ll make sure the end result works for your body and your style. Nicholas Joseph [2] 

When tailoring is worth the investment

We don’t recommend taking all your active wear clothes to be tailored. However, if you’ve spent money on a piece you love, like a wool coat, suit, or well-made dress, it’s worth ensuring it fits properly. High-quality fabrics are made to last, so small adjustments can help you get years more wear out of them. For special occasions, tailoring is non-negotiable. Whether it’s a wedding, job interview or event, it’s hard to feel confident when something doesn’t sit quite right. A quick fix to the shoulders or hem can make a huge difference in how you feel on the day. Tailoring is also a great option when your body changes. Instead of replacing everything you own and buying a costly new wardrobe, you can simply tailor them. The fashion industry is responsible for 8.8% of global CO2 emissions, more than international aviation and maritime shipping combined. Repairing and reworking what you already own is far more sustainable than buying new, and often looks better too. What’s not to like? Club L London [3] 

What can be tailored? A guide to wardrobe staples

You can tailor almost anything, but some pieces are worth the extra effort. Suits, pants, shirts, and dresses are the most common things people bring to get altered. These are the items where a small adjustment can completely change how they look and feel. Tailoring is also an easy win for school uniforms. Kids grow fast, and uniforms aren’t cheap. A quick hem or let-out can give a uniform a longer life, and means you’re not replacing items every term. It’s especially worth it for blazers, pants, and skirts that are built to last but need to grow with your child. The key is: if you like the piece and the fabric is holding up, it’s probably worth tailoring.

How to know when to tailor: The signs your clothes need an update

Sometimes it’s obvious, something’s too tight, too loose, or simply doesn’t sit right anymore. But other times, it’s more subtle. Maybe the sleeves don’t fall at the right spot, or the shape feels off even though the size is technically right. If you’ve moved from fitted to more relaxed pieces (think wide-leg pants or boxy blazers), a good tailor can let things out or reshape what you already own. As long as there’s seam allowance, there’s room to move. Older pieces can also absolutely be revived. If the fabric is still in good shape and you like the base of it, there’s usually something that can be done to bring it back to life.

Finding the right tailor for your needs

A good tailor will ask the right questions, explain what’s possible, and care about the final fit as much as you do. Look for someone with experience in the kind of garments you’re altering, whether that’s suits, dresses, uniforms, or everyday staples. You also want someone honest. If something can’t be fixed (or isn’t worth fixing), they’ll tell you. LookSmart tailors work across all kinds of garments and fabrics, and most stores offer a quick turnaround on standard alterations. Whether it’s adjusting a hem or completely reshaping a piece, they’ll make sure the final fit works for your body and your style. Hayden Hill [5] 

Summing up

Tailoring isn’t only about fixing clothes (although it can) it’s about making them fit uniquely you. From everyday pieces to one-off garments, a few small changes can make your wardrobe look better and last longer. Whether your body’s changed, your style’s shifted, or something doesn’t sit right, tailoring is often the answer. If you’ve got clothes you like in theory but never wear, now’s the time to make them fit properly. Find your nearest store and speak with us today about how we can bring your wardrobe back to life.

FAQs

What’s the difference between tailored, made-to-measure, and bespoke?

Tailored: An off-the-rack piece that’s been adjusted to fit you. Made-to-measure: Made from a base pattern, adjusted to your measurements before it’s cut. Bespoke: Built entirely from scratch to fit your body, with no base pattern or off-the-rack elements. LookSmart works with existing garments, but achieves a similar polished finish through expert alterations.

Can tailoring make my clothes look more expensive?

Yes! When clothes fit properly, they instantly look higher quality, even if they weren’t. A tailored pair of jeans or a reshaped blazer will sit better on your body, move better, and feel more intentional. A $100 jacket that fits you perfectly will always look better than a $600 one that doesn’t. Tailoring is the secret celebrities use to look a cut above the rest.

Is it possible for my old clothes to be altered to fit again?

If there’s enough seam allowance (extra fabric inside), a tailor can usually let a piece out. Particularly older garments were made with extra fabric in the seams, for this exact reason. If something’s now too loose, it can easily be brought back in. This is especially useful after weight changes, pregnancy, or shifts in your personal style. It’s the sustainable way to keep wearing pieces you already like, without replacing your whole wardrobe.

Why alter existing clothes instead of buying new?

Because most of the time, you don’t need something new, you need what you already have to fit properly. Altering a piece you already like is usually cheaper, more sustainable, and will look better. It also saves you the frustration of trying to find something off the rack that fits perfectly (which, let’s be honest, can be a mission)!

Source

[1] Freepik. Close-up shot of professional seamstress hands working in tailoring or sewing industry production. Published 2025.  [2] Nicholas Joseph. Before & After the Custom Suit Upgrade. Published 2025.  [3] Club L London. In Attendance – Black Satin Draped Corset Split Maxi Dress. Published 2025. [4] Modern Minimalism. The Ultimate Guide: How to Build Your First Capsule Wardrobe. Published 2024. [5] Hayden Hill. Find a Good Tailor to Look Your Best. Published January 30, 2023.

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