It has been said that the clothes can make the man, and certainly being well-dressed goes a long way to boosting self-esteem, looking better, and getting noticed on the job, at a party or at any other social event.
If you happen to be able to afford a custom bespoke suit, that is great news. After all, there is no greater eyesore than a man with great intentions without the clothing to match.
On the other hand, suppose you are beginning an entry-level position and do not have the extra cash for a hand-crafted wardrobe solution. You could instead consider purchasing items like jackets, pants, and shirts off the rack. With a few professional alterations from a qualified tailor, you can be every bit as well-dressed.
Here is a guide to exactly what a tailor can do for your jackets, pants, and shirts.
Jacket
When purchasing a new jacket off the rack, the most difficult things for a tailor to adjust are the width of the shoulders and the overall length. Try to get these two dimensions as close to a proper fit as possible.
That said, almost every other aspect of your jacket can be tailored.
Narrow the Sleeves
The sleeves on your jacket should not be tight to your wrists, but they should also not be baggy or drooping. A slim fit is the ideal objective. A tailor can narrow your sleeves to a proper fit.
Shorten the Sleeves
When your hands are at rest by your sides, a half-inch of your shirt should be exposed. By releasing some of the inlaid fabric in your jacket, a tailor can help you to achieve this ideal sleeve length. At Love Your Tailor in Toronto expect to pay roughly $40 to get your sleeves shortened to the perfect length.
Adjust Jacket Length
There is no rule set in stone with respect to the length of your jacket. Generally speaking, it should be long enough to cover your behind. As mentioned above, this type of alteration can be tricky for a tailor, so attempt to pick a jacket of the correct length in the first place.
Reduce the Shoulder Width
The shoulder pads in your jacket should end with your shoulders. Again, it is best to select a jacket off the rack that matches your shoulder width as closely as possible. This can be a more costly alteration for a tailor to perform and it can only be adjusted marginally.
If you need the width of your shoulders increased, forget about it. Even the most experienced tailors will have difficulty doing this well.
Replacing the Buttons
If you purchased a jacket on discount, it may have loose buttons, or buttons that do not match the style you are after. A tailor can replace the buttons on your jacket, but be certain to do them all at once to get any savings. Remember at Love Your Tailor in Toronto you can get 30% off on clothing & pant alterations by experienced tailors in Toronto.
Suppress the Waist
Depending upon the number of vents your jacket has, the waist can be taken in or ‘suppressed’ to give you a sought after V-shape.
Pants
In most respects, pants can be easily altered by a tailor for the perfect fit. Pants that you consider to be too tight or the incorrect length can easily be salvaged. Just pay careful attention to the seat and rise, as these aspects can be much more difficult for a tailor to adjust.
Length, Cuff & Break
Adjusting the length of a pair of pants purchased off the rack is the most common alteration performed by tailors. Most off the rack suit pants will need to be hemmed to an appropriate length. At Love Your Tailor in Toronto we charge roughly $20 for shortening pants.
When adjusting the length of your pants, a tailor can also cuff them to give you a more modern look. Also, based on your personal preferences, you could consider a full break at the top of your heel and a natural break over the top of your shoe.
Adjust the Waist
The waist of your pants can be taken in or let out. There is no exact ratio or measurement to follow here. Simply put, you should be able to comfortably stand, sit and walk around.
Narrow the Legs
If you prefer a more modern, slim look, consider having your tailor pull in the fabric around your shin up through your thigh. This will narrow the leg of your pants for a more tapered appearance.
Change the Zipper
Whether your zipper needs replacement because it is broken, or you simply do not like the style, this is a very common alteration that tailors can do. At Love Your Tailor expect to pay $20 for a new zipper.
Adjust the Rise
The rise of your pants, essentially where the legs meet the crotch, can be adjusted by only an inch or so in either direction before the pockets need to be moved. This is why it is recommended to pay careful attention to the rise of the pants before purchasing them off the rack.
Shirts
A lot of men do not realize the world of possibilities when it comes to altering dress shirts. Even shirts you are already wearing can be easily tweaked for a more professional fit.
Shorten the Sleeves
The sleeves of a dress shirt can be shortened an inch or two by an experienced tailor.
Replace Cuffs & Collars
The collar of your shirt can be easily replaced, although you may need to accept a white collar for contrast. It is unlikely the tailor will have fabric that perfectly matches your shirt. The cuffs of your sleeves can be replaced the same way. At Love Your Tailor we have a large selection of popular fabric and our tailors usually have no problem matching the colour of your dress shirt.
Shorten Torso Length
The length of your shirt can be easily shortened by a few inches for a better fit.
Slim the Fit
A dress shirt should fit your torso properly without being tight, or without taking on the billowy shape of a light summer dress. Ask your tailor to take in the shirt for a slim, narrow, and modern fit. Each body is different, so a knowledgeable tailor will know what fit will look best based on your body type.
Replace the Buttons
When your shirts are being laundered, it can be quite common to discover lost or damaged buttons. Consider asking your tailor to replace all the buttons on your shirt. With a large variety of buttons, our experienced tailors in Toronto can make your shirt look even better than when you bought it by adding more stylish buttons. At Love Your Tailors in Toronto we charge only $3.50 to professionally replace buttons
Find a Tailor You Trust
The clothing you wear is a very personal thing. As such, it is important to choose a tailor that you trust and feel comfortable working with, as well as a reputable one that has over a decade of experience.
For example, consider using a tailor who has numerous positive reviews online, such as Love Your Tailor in Toronto. No matter that tailor you decide to work with, know that tailors do wonders with clothing for men and it is usually not as expensive as most people think.
You May Also Like:
- What is Bespoke Tailoring?
- How Much Does it Cost to Tailor Jeans?
- How to Hem Those Pants for a Perfect Fit
