When I’m in a client’s closet, we focus on a few things. We figure out what deserves to be in your closet (and what doesn’t). We decide what fits – what fits your body, your lifestyle and your preferences. We look at your favorite pieces and talk through why they’re your favorites. And we see what already works great, as the foundation of evolving your style.
And one thing we talk about a lot is alterations. Because there might be things that fit okay, that can fit a lot better. Or items that never felt right, but can be fixed. Or styles that you always meant to get tailored, but never got around to.
First, a disclaimer – I am not a tailor. But I’ve been around the block quite a bit with clothes. So, I advise on what can (and can’t) be tailored. I’ll tell you what is pretty simple (and what is more trouble than it’s worth). And I can even talk you through restyling a garment.
And after being in 300+ closets, there are a few alterations that I discuss very often. The good news is that they’re relatively simple fixes to make something more comfortable and more wearable. Especially if you think you need to buy something new – you may just need to tweak what you have. So, here are the 3 most common alterations I recommend to my clients.
TAKING IN THE WAIST
I hear this from new clients all the time. “I don’t fit pants well.” (FYI - it’s not you that doesn’t fit the pants – it’s the pants that don’t fit you.) And when I hear this, I ask, “so, you have pants that fit in the hips and butt, but they’re too big in the waist?” And 9 out of 10 times, the answer is, “yes.” And the solution for this is taking in the waist of your pants.
The general rule when buying clothes is to fit your largest part comfortably (for example, your hips and butt). And then tailor the rest. Which is why taking in the waist is such a common alteration. And you can do this with trousers or utility pants or khakis - or even jeans (read this if you’re tired of your jeans and looking for another casual pant option).
And if you don’t believe me, here’s a quick client story. My client had a few pairs of jeans and pants that gapped at the waist. And her solution was wearing an elastic belt. She’d wear the same belt with all her bottoms, every day. I finally convinced her to take in the waist of a couple jeans – and she said it was like a whole new world. She didn’t have to wear that one belt to make her pants fit right. She actually didn’t need to wear a belt at all.
SHORTENING PANTS
This may sound like a no-brainer - but when I’m in a client’s closet. And we’re looking at what you are and aren’t wearing. We’ll often come upon pants that fit well in every aspect but the length. It’s very common – in many instances because certain brands find it easier to produce pants at one (longer) length than at multiple lengths (I see this a lot with designer jeans). Which means that a lot of people need to shorten their pants.
And believe me - I know it can be a pain to get your clothes altered. I know what it feels like to wish that everything fit well off the rack. But the reality is that it doesn’t, for a lot of people (myself included). And when the solution is as simple as getting your pants shortened – that’s a lot easier than constantly searching out better fitting pants.
Here’s something that’s an ‘aha’ moment for many of my clients – you can decide the length of your pants. Just because you bought full length pants, that doesn’t mean that they need to stay that way. Turn them into ankle length or cropped if you want to. You have control of over your clothes.
And while we’re on the topic of shortening – the same goes for skirts and dresses. I’m currently working with a client who has a full length formal dress (that she got for a work event). And she said that she’d probably never wear it again. So we’re shortening it to calf length, to make sense for holiday cocktail parties. And she also has an ankle length casual knit dress that we’re hemming to knee length (which is much more practical for running around with her 3 kids).
SHORTENING SLEEVES
I work with a lot of petite clients. And very often, they don’t even realize that certain tops and jackets make them look smaller. Because, when your sleeves are too long, it can look like you’re wearing someone else’s clothes. And this isn’t only applicable to petite clients (jacket sleeves are usually too long on me, so I need to shorten them all the time). Even though it’s a relatively simple alteration, it can make a big difference in how your top/jacket looks and feels.
Something else I’ll occasionally suggest is purposely shortening sleeves to a ¾ sleeve length (when they were originally full length). This works for petite clients, to show a little skin. This works for tall clients, since a ¾ sleeve looks more intentional than a sleeve that’s just a little too short. And it’s a subtle way to call out your waist and balance proportions for anyone (click here for a few other ways to balance your proportions).
One thing to note – certain sleeves are easier to alter than others. A simple sleeve construction is a more straightforward alteration, while a complicated cuff isn’t as simple. So, keep this in mind if you need to shorten your sleeves on a regular basis.
If you’re thinking, “I’ve never been to a tailor” – I’ve got you covered. Check out this article for 5 things to know about tailoring your clothes.
And if you’re thinking, “I don’t even know what is and isn’t working in my closet” – I can be your partner in streamlining your closet, shopping for what’s missing and creating outfits that feel great. Contact me to get more information about my process. And if you like what you see, we’ll schedule a free consultation to chat about creating an authentic and intentional style.