7 CLOTHES ALTERATIONS YOU DIDN’T KNOW WERE POSSIBLE

Old clothes are worth saving, as they can quickly come back around into fashion again. However, if you’ve got something lying around from a few years back, it might need a few tweaks to fit your current shape. Jeans that are too long will need to be shortened, shirt sleeves tightened and waists perhaps nipped in. To get it all done, you’d probably go to a tailor. They’re able to do magic with the clothes they’re given, and produce a better garment in the end. But what other tricks do they have up their sleeve? Keep reading to learn about 7 alterations you didn’t know were possible, but will make you and your clothes look absolutely fantastic.

1. LINE A SHEER TOP

Sheer garments are beautiful and incredibly versatile – as you can use them in both casual and formal situations. However, when it comes to them being practical… let’s just say that there could be a tiny debate there. It can be hard to find another garment to wear underneath it that fits the exact shape of the sheer garment, making it harder to use. This is where tailors can help you out. They can add lining any garment, and this includes all your beautiful see-through tops.

2. INCREASE A DRESS SIZE

This will very much depend on the type of the dress – but if it is a simple-cut, summer dress, tailors can potentially give one or two sizes more, by adding a fringe of fabric on each side (of the desired width, according to how many centimetres you want to add). You’ll have to find a similar fabric to the dress, or choose a different colour on purpose and revamp the design a little bit, but the result will be fantastic. This is great for when you get those amazing-but-last-one garments at a department store sale for a bargain price.

3. REMOVE OR ADD POCKETS

This is actually pretty straightforward for a tailor, and can make a huge difference for a pair of pants. Sometimes jeans look better with back pockets – but sometimes they don’t. This is especially true with white pants or white jeans, that can often be a little bit translucid, but with a couple of pockets in the bum, all good! And of course, they are also super handy. Up to you what your preference is – just know that your tailor is able to help you out with this one.

4. TRANSFORM WIDE-LEGGED PANT INTO SLIM FIT ONES

It seems that pant fits come and go – there was a wide-leg craze a while back (the 60’s, then the 90’s) and although it seems they may be coming back, you have the option to turn that good old pair of pants into slim fit, it that’s what you want. It’s a bigger job – but tailors should be able to do this.

In addition, they can also transform your jeans in ways you probably haven’t even fathomed. Change the waist size, the width of the ankles, and so much more.

5. ADD A ZIPPER

Sometimes it’s definitely better to just add a zipper, rather than enduring the pain that it takes trying to fit a dress over your head. Zippers can be added to the side or the back of your garment – whichever you prefer. There are also options as to whether you’d like for it to be hidden or visible, according to the style you’re going for. Tailors can also repair a broken zipper.

6. NEW NECKLINE

Tailors are also able to create a new neckline on most tops. Thinking about those tees and how they could use a little trimming to show off some more skin? Or maybe a dress that looks perfect except for the neck? Totally possible to create a new one. You can turn a boring crew neck to a scoop neck, boat neck, one-shoulder style, and many more.

Tailors are also able to swap or turn around a shirt’s neck. For example, if you have a flannel shirt that you absolutely love but the neck looks a little bit old and faded, tailors are able to remove it and then put it on again, this time inside out, so the bit that was facing down previously now faces up. The colours look intense and brand new, and it’s also less likely to have suffered any damage to the fabric. Good as new!

7. HELP WITH THIGH TEARING

Reinforced pants and jeans in the inner thigh is sadly not yet a thing, even though many people struggle with this issue. You have your favourite pair of pants that suit you so well, so naturally you wear them a lot, only to discover one day that there is a tear on the inner thigh. Don’t let desperation get the best of you, though – tailors can help patch it up and even reinforce the area, to prevent it from happening again.

MAKING CLOTHES LAST LONGER AND LOOK PERFECT WITH TAILORING

Tailors are talented craftsmen and women who are able to help transform or fix your clothing. While they can’t do absolutely everything, there are so many amazing transformations a tailor can do so that your garment is more suitable for you, just like if it was custom made. So what are you waiting for? Grab those old garments and get them ready for a revamp with a visit to the tailor – you never know what they may suggest.