What to Bring to Tailor: A First-Time Client Guide

Estimated reading time: 8 minutes

Key Takeaways

• Bring clean, pressed garments and the proper undergarments for accurate fittings.
• Use reference photos, fabric swatches, and accessories to communicate your vision.
• Understand essential measurements—bust, waist, hips, and inseam—before your appointment.
• Familiarize yourself with common tailoring terms to ensure clear communication.

Table of Contents

• What to Bring to Your Tailor
• Measurement Guide for Tailoring
• Tailoring Glossary Terms
• FAQ

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What to Bring to Your Tailor

Are you wondering what to bring to a tailor for your first appointment? Preparing properly for your visit ensures you’ll get the best results from your clothing alterations. This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know before meeting with a tailor.

Good preparation—including bringing the right items and clearly communicating your needs—helps your tailor deliver alterations that perfectly match your style, fit preferences, and expectations.

Garments for Alteration

• Clean, pressed clothing—Tailors typically refuse to work with dirty or wrinkled garments as they can’t properly assess the fit.
• Complete outfits—Bring all pieces if altering part of a suit or matching set.
• Items in good condition—Damaged clothing may need repair before alteration.

Always dry clean or wash items before your appointment so your tailor can see how the fabric naturally hangs.

Appropriate Undergarments

• Matching foundation garments—Wear or bring the exact bras, underwear, or shapewear you’ll use with the finished piece.
• Seamless options—For tight-fitting garments, bring seamless undergarments.
• Proper support—The right bra or undergarments affect how clothes fit and hang.

The undergarments you wear dramatically impact how clothing fits, especially for formal wear and fitted clothing. Refer to wedding dress alterations for more on fit support.

Shoes

• Exact height—Bring the specific shoes with the heel height you’ll wear with the garment.
• Style-specific options—Different shoes for different outfits if altering multiple items.
• Everyday choices—Bring your regular shoes if the altered item is for daily wear.

Hem length is directly affected by your shoes; even a half-inch difference in heel height can change the look. See tailor alterations insights for more.

Fabric Swatches or Scraps

• Matching material—Bring extra fabric if you have it, especially for unique colors or patterns.
• Original packaging—Tags or packaging may contain useful fabric information.
• Supplier information—Details about where the fabric was purchased if more is needed.

Swatches help tailors match thread colors and find appropriate replacement materials if needed.

Reference Photos or Inspiration

• Style examples—Pictures of the look you’re hoping to achieve.
• Fit preferences—Images showing the type of fit you prefer (slim, relaxed, etc.).
• Detail references—Close-up photos of specific details you want incorporated.

Visual aids help communicate your vision clearly when words might be insufficient. More on bespoke basics at Bespoke Tailoring Basics.

Accessories

• Belts—Bring belts you’ll wear with pants or dresses.
• Jewelry—Necklaces that affect neckline appearance.
• Scarves or ties—Items that complement the garment being altered.
• Outerwear—Jackets or coats if they’ll be worn over the altered piece.

Accessories can affect fit and allow you to see the complete look during fitting.

Pro Tips for Your Visit

• Arrive on time—Respect your tailor’s schedule and allow enough time for a thorough fitting. Learn about alteration turnaround.
• Dress appropriately—Wear clothes that are easy to change out of for trying on garments.
• Bring a notebook—Record recommendations and care instructions.
• Have a budget in mind—Know your spending limit before discussing multiple alterations. See tailoring cost guide.

Measurement Guide for Tailoring

Precise measurements are the foundation of successful tailoring. Understanding how measurements work helps you communicate better with your tailor and ensures your garments fit perfectly.

Key Body Measurements

• Chest/Bust—Measured at the fullest point, with tape parallel to the floor.
• Waist—Taken at the narrowest part of your torso, usually near your navel.
• Hips—Measured around the widest part of your buttocks and hips.
• Shoulder Width—From shoulder point to shoulder point across your upper back.
• Arm Length—From shoulder seam to wrist bone while slightly bent.
• Neck Circumference—Around the base of your neck where a collar would sit.

For accurate measurements, stand naturally with good posture and wear the undergarments you’ll pair with the finished garment.

Measurement Etiquette

• Stay still—Move only when the tailor asks you to.
• Speak up—Mention if something feels too tight or restrictive.
• Don’t self-measure—Let the professional handle it for accuracy. See DIY Alterations Guide.
• Avoid shifting—Maintain the same posture throughout the measuring process.

How Tailors Measure Inseam

• Definition—The inseam is the length from the crotch seam down to where you want the hem to fall.
• Process—Taken while standing straight with feet slightly apart.
• Shoe consideration—Always wear the shoes you’ll pair with the pants.
• Break preference—Communicate no break, slight break, or full break at the shoe.

The inseam determines how your pants hang and interact with your shoes. Too short and they’ll look awkward; too long and they’ll bunch or drag. Learn more at Tailor Alterations.

Special Measurement Considerations

• Asymmetry—Slight differences between left and right sides.
• Posture effects—Natural posture impacts how garments hang.
• Weight fluctuation—Mention if you’re at your typical weight.
• Comfort allowance—Discuss how much ease you prefer in different areas.

Tailoring Glossary Terms

• Alteration—Any modification made to a garment’s original design or fit.
• Seam allowance—Extra fabric beyond the seam that allows for adjustments.
• Basting—Temporary, loose stitches used to hold pieces together before permanent sewing.
• Darts—Tapered folds sewn into fabric to create shape and contour.
• Ease—Extra room built into a garment to allow for movement and comfort.
• Hem—The finished edge at the bottom of sleeves, pants, or skirts.
• Fitting—Session where garments are pinned or marked for adjustments.
• Notions—Sewing supplies like thread, buttons, zippers, and interfacing.

For more detailed dress-specific advice, check out these dress alteration tips.

FAQ

What should I bring to my first tailoring appointment?

Bring clean, pressed garments, appropriate undergarments, shoes with the correct heel height, any fabric swatches, reference photos, and accessories. Being prepared helps your tailor achieve the perfect fit.

How long does a typical alteration take?

Turnaround times vary by shop and complexity of work. Simple hemming can take a day or two, while more involved alterations like restructuring a jacket may take one to two weeks. Always ask your tailor for an estimated schedule.

How much does tailoring usually cost?

Costs depend on the garment type, complexity, and location. Basic hemming is generally affordable, while structural changes to high-end garments will cost more. Have a budget in mind and request a quote before work begins.

Do I need multiple fittings for one garment?

Many garments benefit from at least two fittings: one initial fitting to pin adjustments and a final fitting to confirm perfect results. Complex pieces like wedding dresses often require three or more sessions.