Comments on: A Man’s Guide to Clothing Alterations

By: James

James — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 21:40:51 +0000

Wow this is helpful. Great post!

By: Derek

Derek — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 19:54:41 +0000

It is truly amazing how just displaying a little bit of pride in your appearance can make all the difference in how others percieve us.

By: Joshua

Joshua — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 19:19:20 +0000

Excellent post, I purchased a poorly proportioned suit but made from a wonderful wool over 10 years ago and took it to a highly regarded tailor in Saratoga Springs, NY. A little Italian gentleman with a heavy accent. The quality of the fabric was such that he did not need a deposit for his work. Within a week he had it fitted to me perfectly. Amazingly that suit is still with me. A quality tailor is definitely worth the cost.

I agree with Dan, sailors have lost the skill of repairing their own uniforms. Though I suspect it has more to do with Admirals in the late 1990s being worried about looks and issuing uniforms that could not hold up to the rigors of a submarine engineroom. My late 1990s dungarees usually failed beyond any tailors ability to repair. Early 1990 dungarees were rugged (ugly but rugged), they would only submit to minor tears that could be quickly stitched after watch.

I thought nothing was worse than the current Army velcro uniform until I saw the Realtree tux.

By: Mohamed

Mohamed — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 16:45:18 +0000

Bravo! A very well done site, and excellent posts. Being on the large side, I’ve always found it difficult to wear the latest styles since they are not really made for the big guy – but that’s no excuse to dumb yourself down when it comes to clothes. There are more options available today than there were say 10 years ago and guys have no excuse not to dress well when they go out or even to work! I see too many big guys wear nothing but shorts and t-shirts (that are too small) or sweat pants… or guys that do nothing to take care of themselves (personal hygiene, grooming).

Look good and you will feel good and people around you will like to look at you differently.

By: David

David — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 16:38:30 +0000

Yes, finding good tailor is right up there with finding a good doctor, attorney, financial advisor, auto mechanic & butcher. You’ll pay a bit more, but you’ll feel fantastic every time you put a tailored piece of clothing on. When you first walk in the tailor shop – look around. Are the suits, shirts, ties and fabrics of top quality, are the styles conservative (not the latest hot fashion), do you get plenty of time and personal service? If not, pass him / her on by and keep looking.

By: ThomsonsPier

ThomsonsPier — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 10:30:20 +0000

A good article, though I misread the title as “A Man’s Guide to Clothing Altercations” and was expecting a pithy piece about how to react when another takes exception to the colour of one’s shirt.

I can make functional repairs, in general, but they don’t tend to be pretty; sewing is the same as engineering, in my estimation, but with different materials. I’m lucky in that I’ve changed overall shape very little in years and have never had to have any major alterations made to clothing. A suit I acquired at seventeen still fits at twenty-nine.

By: Yavor

Yavor — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 09:06:56 +0000

Clothes make the fist impression – and if you want to succeed in life, I say use everything available to your advantage. So looking your best is a must.

Fit is king! Great that you are pointing that out. I personally use two tailors to adjust my suits/shirts and can’t recommend this high enough

By: Jonny | thelifething.com

Jonny | thelifething.com — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 06:27:51 +0000

Great advice. I live out in Bangkok currently where tailoring is excellent and cheap. Had never thought of tailoring my current wardrobe but following this post I think I will.

Many thanks.

By: Michael

Michael — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 06:16:43 +0000

Awesome article, Antonio! How’d you get the photo of my LED dollar-sign suit? (Heh.)

I’ve got a tailor I hang on to like grim death – and it helps that I know exactly what I want done, because that helps me communicate better than “I need this more fitted.” She should be giving me a bulk discount for all the shirts I bring in for darts.

By: Laura

Laura — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 05:06:02 +0000

Great article for a man who doesn’t follow the hard to understand world of bespoke suits! The breakdown of alterations by price range is a helpful addition. ALWAYS wear suits that are fitted to your body type!!! I’ll be passing this along to friends and clients! Thanks.

By: James Clark

James Clark — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 05:02:32 +0000

I was actually just about to buy a sewing machine, so I can start making my own vests, and fitting the midsections of my shirts (I’m quite thin), and this seemed to me like a less than manly endeavorer… I’m excited to see this article, and especially thinking now about the tailors of yesteryears – Old men who wear well made and well fitting suits every day. There is *nothing* less than manly about that.

Hopefully I’ll be more successful with that than changing drum brake shoes

By: Robert

Robert — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 04:15:28 +0000

Please tell me that Realtree Tux was just a joke!

By: Dan

Dan — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 03:57:44 +0000

As a sailor, I was taught years ago to keep a standard-issue sewing kit with me in my rack. I don’t think they do that anymore because none of my junior sailors know how to sew very much at all. Anyway, I can sew patches on, hem my dress blues, and put buttons back on a sleeve. It’s not much, granted, but it saves money by not taking it to the Navy Exchange, and it can be done in a snap, like your wedding example above.

Sailors have, by and large, lost this ability, and it’s a shame.