Men’s Fashion Basics – Part 97 – DIY Tailoring

As most of us know, when it comes to dressing with style, rule #1 is making sure that your clothes fit you. It may sound like an obvious concept, but it’s one that still gets passed over again and again. It’s also the one rule that can TRULY make or break a look – transforming inexpensive items into expensive-looking pieces or turning designer duds into what look like high street bargain bin finds.

Unfortunately, focusing on fit is easier said than done. These days, it seems that every new emerging brand has a whole new block, cut and take on the size and shape of small, medium, and large. An extra-slim cut shirt in Charles Tyrwitt is not the same as a slim cut in H&M or Gant. The chance of you picking up something off the rack that fits exactly how you like it to is going to be pretty small.

This is where a tailor enters the picture and saves the day. The pieces you buy that fit you well in certain areas but not in others can, nine times out of ten, be altered by a tailor to suit your specific body shape and preferences. They also happen to have a wealth of knowledge and experience of how individual items of clothing can be nipped and tucked in order to flatter various body shapes.

So, whether it’s breathing new life into the old pieces you currently have stored in your wardrobe or taking your brand new purchases to the next level, there’s not much a tailor can’t do in order to make you look – and feel – better.

Luckily, getting your clothes tailored professionally happens to be relatively cost-effective, especially when compared to the price of designer clothing. But what happens if you have neglected your personal style for far too long and you want to tailor a large number of pieces? It can start to get pretty pricey, even if you manage to secure a discount. That’s without even considering the fact that a large percentage of our readership may not be able to afford a tailor AND new clothes at the same time.