Getting clothes custom made

[ItsNotRocketSalad]

Has anybody done this? Where did you go? Is it hideously expensive?

I'm an awakward shape and off-the-rack trousers never look right on me. I'd love to have two or three good pairs made but I don't know where to start.

Yes, it is hideously expensive I'm afraid! especially as dressmaking of this sort appears to be a dying art.

Most dry cleaners offer a basic repair/sewing service so it's worth asking as I think they sometimes outsource that to a proper seamstress and might be willing to pass on the details. A lot of high streets also sometimes have a seamstress who would do this or could recommend - they tend to be tucked away a bit though. Ours is excellent but every time I recommend them to local friends I get, "oh my word, I had no idea they were there"!

However, my best advice is to buy trousers that you like, and pay to have them altered. it will STILL be expensive, but not nearly as expensive as starting from scratch. And certainly, a lot of celebs you see wearing even high street clothes, do this.

So, for example, if you need a bit wider on the hips, buy a pair that are a bit loose on the waist but fit well and then ask for them to be altered. I had a friend many years ago who was very hippy but tiny waist - she did this a lot.

Thanks! I'm an extreme apple so I need a large waist size and then my legs are drowning in fabric. I have no idea how complicated it would be to reduce the leg size and how it would end up looking.

I haven't had anything made for me but, like Gerbils, I get things altered and I'm slowly learning to do my own.

I've had trousers taken in and the legs narrowed. I'm going from memory but I think most jobs have cost under £20 (except for altering shoulders on coats and jackets, which costs a lot more and, having had a go myself, I can see why). I think the rate will vary depending on where you are.

I wasn't happy with the service I got from a dry cleaners so I found my own seamstress - in fact I now use two, one for 'basic' alterations and a more expensive tailor for the more complex stuff. I found them both by asking for recommendations in local dress agencies and second hand shops - they often pitch up nearby!

It's absolutely worth it in my opinion.

It might be worth finding the seamstress first and asking her thoughts re the types of styles that are easier to alter.

But based on my memory of the sewing I learnt in high school, I'd say that trousers that are more tailored would be easier to alter as there are existing seams/darts etc that you need to bring in vs, for example, elasticised trousers that are already bunched around the waist.

If you are short, be cautious about leg styles for trousers as you can, of course, take them up but a super tapered leg might be harder to do than a straighter leg. Similarly, bootcut trousers can be harder to take up because you have to take the length from higher up so you don't lose the bootcut.

As a fellow apple, another consideration might be where they sit on your waist.

I don't get clothes custom made, more customised.

I take items that I like to a seamstress and have them altered to fit.

I have found that using a dry cleaners isn't really the best way for the alterations I wanted and took the time to find a decent seamstress. It is expensive so I don't do it for every outfit. But I have paid upwards of £60 for alterations to a £20 dress because I liked the colour but I have a larger bust so had to buy a larger size and have it altered to fit shoulders, waist and hips!

Another good place to ask for recommendations is an old school independent fabric shop / haberdashery if you have one. They're an absolute mine of information.

Get a size that fits your waist and then get them adjusted at a tailors

I'd visit the tailors first for advice and chat about what you want etc

Definitely another vote for customisation - a good tame seamstress is a wonderful thing to have. Can make such a difference having things 'tweaked'. (If you're near Binfield by any chance, I'll send details for mine LOL.)

I am short in the torso and have learned to get dresses shortened in the back by professionals - it makes such a difference! I no longer look like the Hunchback of Notre Dame!

And I have had wide legged trousers narrowed in the past as well.

My latest was a dress to reduce the torso, which cost me €28 this week on the main shopping street in the capital city. So on a €200 dress, that I will wear a LOT, that feels reasonable to me.

Thanks everybody, this is very encouraging. I will try to find local seamstresses and see what they can do.

If you are short, be cautious about leg styles for trousers as you can, of course, take them up but a super tapered leg might be harder to do than a straighter leg. Similarly, bootcut trousers can be harder to take up because you have to take the length from higher up so you don't lose the bootcut.

I'm tall but this is great info as I do prefer bootcuts. I'll look for straight legs.

I would go to Vietnam and get a whole new wardrobe made!! I had two dresses custom made. DP had a suit. Absolutely gorgeous. If I'd planned ahead and had more room in my case I'd have done loads more - taken more pics of what I want etc. I did it v spur of the moment and should have prepped more

Well it's a good excuse to go to Vietnam anyway!

I feel like I have to clarify my dry cleaner comment . I totally agree that most of them are NOT up to it. But around here, they often seem to work with more traditional seamstresses/tailors and can make recommendations!

But the old school haberdashery is a a really good choice if you have one - ours closed down in Covid. And if you have a John Lewis near you, it's worth asking in their haberdashery department. Some of them are still old school and very knowledgeable and might well be able to point you in the right direction.

I have all these opinions as I'm about to take my new favourite dress, which was actually very cheap, to have it altered at great expense by having pockets put in which I suspect will more than double the cost of the dress.

ALL dresses should come with pockets. In fact, all clothes. I don't care if it "ruins the line" of your creation, designers. WE WANT POCKETS

TOTALLY agree.

@@GerbilsForever24 , adding pockets to a dress ? Whether hidden in the seams or patched on, that should not be expensive as it is very easy to do.
@ItsNotRocketSalad ! I
If you need to alter lots of your clothes it would be worth your time and money to buy a simple sewing machine from a well known brand; take their free course and learn to sew. Alterations are so much more simple and quick to do compared to designing and sewing a whole piece.
Basically anyone can learn to sew and do alterations. It could even become a new hobby or job!

Yes I've had some dresses and tops made by House of Flint. She does a payment plan if you need it.

• all the dresses have pockets.