https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/help-i-have-weird-theories-about-tailors Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Wed, 22 Apr 2026 19:25:50 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/help-i-have-weird-theories-about-tailors#post-606586 Sat, 28 Apr 2012 17:38:13 +0000 lyn* 606586@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I used to go to Asian merchants because I thought all asian people did a good job - my parents used to say "don't do a bad job because it brings shame upon us all!" - but they were okay.</p> <p>I've tried an older Caucasian lady and she was okay.</p> <p>The East Indian man lost my boots. But then he found them. Dunno what to make of it. </p> <p>In my experience, race and quality of work have no correlation </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/help-i-have-weird-theories-about-tailors#post-606560 Sat, 28 Apr 2012 17:17:22 +0000 Mo 606560@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hee hee. My best tailor is here in town and she's an older, rail thin, white lady with bright red hair and some missing teeth, truth be told! Don't judge that book by it's cover Ask around. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/help-i-have-weird-theories-about-tailors#post-606495 Sat, 28 Apr 2012 16:12:02 +0000 HelenInCanada 606495@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I agree that there isn't one specific ethnicity that has the sole expertise on tailoring! The important thing is, have you had success with this tailor before, and/or have recommendations for them been all positive? Have they done a major alteration like this (on a coat) before? Can they work well with you (do a mock-up, play around before committing to it?) Etc. </p> <p>The tailors that have done a GREAT job for me in the past have been from all backgrounds - Middle Eastern, Chinese, Irish, Portuguese, the list goes on. Just make sure you are dealing with a professional! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/help-i-have-weird-theories-about-tailors#post-606439 Sat, 28 Apr 2012 14:38:04 +0000 Fruitful 606439@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks IK! We don't have as big a pool of references online as I imagine you would in the US, though, so I've come up with a number of different tailors but only a few references each, sometimes just one. Does she work on her own/in a shop/from home? (I know my questions are ridiculous, but srsly I'm clutching at straws due to having little else to go on!) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/help-i-have-weird-theories-about-tailors#post-606436 Sat, 28 Apr 2012 14:34:52 +0000 ironkurtin 606436@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I go by word of mouth online. I found my tailor that way, and she is a lovely Hispanic woman in her mid-40s. I don't think any one ethnicity has a lock on tailoring. I'd go with the one that loves what they do. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/help-i-have-weird-theories-about-tailors#post-606430 Sat, 28 Apr 2012 14:27:12 +0000 Fruitful 606430@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm trying to find a tailor to get my coat sleeves done and I'm stymied. So I thought I'd reveal my stereotyping, not-PC assumptions about tailors and get your input.</p> <p>Previously, my assumption was, Vietnamese alteration tailors were the best. This is because I have one locally, called Golden Needle. I have had pants hemmed, pockets sewn shut, a couple of waistbands (with linings) taken in, and a button sewn on. These people (the ones in question, and in my mind, Vietnamese tailors generally) know their way around a sewing machine, they don't indulge you with nonsense like smiles or small talk so they must know what they're doing, they do exactly as I ask and don't make issues about it, they often have stuff done within a day - and best of all (my smugness grows here) they charge a fraction of what my sister gets quoted at her alterations place in Sydney. </p> <p>But I've got this wool cashmere coat (the yellow one) and for some reason I feel I should find the best tailor evah, even better than this one. This is because 1) I'm not sure what to ask for, so I want them to have a great eye (sleeves slimming was suggested by Angie, but I'm not sure how much to ask for; the sleeve shortening will require shifting a button tab); and 2) their work has pleased me, but on close inspection some sewing is a little uneven, and decisions about where to sew have been more visible than I would have preferred; also, 3) I haven't given them enough items in the past to be able to picture how they'll handle this.</p> <p>Online searches come up with many different places (nothing comprehensive, just individual mentions in forums). The Old Italian Guy is often considered the ideal tailor, and I've found names of some who are very highly regarded (used by major department stores, doing made-to-measure etc). I got very excited about this as I can totally imagine an Old Italian Guy being the perfect tailor.</p> <p>Problem is, most of these guys are in their 70s now. What if their eyesight is going and they're just not as good as they used to be? And they, with their grumpiness and old man taste, will they be able to advise me properly on style and aesthetics?</p> <p>Then there's the Expensive CBD tailors. Some of these overlap with the Old Italian Guy. Some of them are apparently recommended by certain design houses. Some individuals recommend them; but as soon as I've found one people love, I find someone else who's been dissatisfied and recommends someones else. Also, they can be booked out for months apparently?</p> <p>Then there's the One You Should Go To Instead Of the Expensive One (still in the CBD or thereabouts, but around the corner, for a fraction of the price! Asian or in some cases Russian, works 15 hour days 7 days a week, people say their work is better than the expensive one. But their English isn't great. Oh yeah, and they just sold the business to someone else, who's still good but not as legendary...)</p> <p>While you can't advise me specifically on who to go to in Melbourne, do you relate to any of the tropes dancing in my head? Is there any reality to them? Is there a method of sorting these online recommendations or do I just have to use my (un)common sense? </p>