Alteration prices!!!

Alicia

So I took my capris back to the rack. $14 to hem and 21 to nip in the gap in the back! Per pair!! They only cost 19 to begin with. Does that sound average? I got them hemmed but skipped the waist. I'll just wear a belt and if my butt shows, oh well!

13 years ago

Shopping

25 replies

Latest reply was from seattleattic

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

I pay $12 to hem, $25 to shorten jacket sleeves that are lined, $25 to take in the side seams of an unlined skirt - I've never had the waist gap taken in so can't speak to that. Alterations aren't cheap, but they are definitely worth it in my opinion.

13 years ago

Ana

(website)

Veteran

Yes, that sounds average to me. I think my tailor charges $12 to do a simple hem and $24 to nip in the waist. The reason taking in the waist is expensive is because they have to take the waist band off, I think. It's fairly labor intensive. I usually only have this done on pants that I really love and think I will wear for a long time.

13 years ago

Jilly

Active Member

Wow - prices have really gone up - guess it's really been awhile since I've had any alterations done

13 years ago

Sunita

Veteran

Yes, those prices are in line with what I pay my local drycleaner for those alterations (I'm in the DC area). I think they're totally worth it, and usually figure it into the cost of whatever I am buying.

For example, the KUT skinnies that Angie recently recommended and I posted a review of are $75, and I'll probably pay another $20-$40 for alterations (I might need to have them hemmed, taken in at the waist, or both). So while I decide whether to keep them I think of them as a $100+ pair of pants.

KUT review here: http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....ngies-pick

13 years ago

milehighstyle (Linda)

Veteran

Yes, I have waists taken in quite often - $20 is the norm. I think it's well worth it - makes a huge difference in your look if the pants are sitting at the proper spot and not sagging down - a belt can't always correct that. $14 sounds about right for a hem too.

13 years ago

Aziraphale

Veteran

I pay $8 - $12 for jeans hem (depending on the width of the hem; skinnies are cheaper) and $25 to have the gap taken in at the back. But they do a good job and they look so much better when they fit correctly! For me it's totally worth it.

13 years ago

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

I pay $5 for a hem and that's the only alteration I have done

13 years ago

Sylvie

Veteran

Since we're on the topic, has anyone gotten the Halogen pencil skirts hemmed and if so how much did it cost (at Nordstrom or elsewhere)?

I've always been too afraid to take my clothes for alterations due to the fear they'll be ruined.

13 years ago

Jem

Veteran

Ooh, that is expensive! I'm glad I sew... although I have to say that I hate to do alterations! (so it's probably worth it!)

13 years ago

marianna

Veteran

FYI -- with a Nordstrom card, alterations are complimentary at both Nordstrom and Rack.

13 years ago

Amy

(website)

Veteran

Maybe it's because I sew, but I don't think that's expensive at all. That price seems reasonable.

13 years ago

Meredith1953

Veteran

Uh.....I think I need to learn to sew! Alterations are getting really expensive but what's the alternative if you want things to fit well. We know that fit is one of the most important aspects of dressing well.

13 years ago

Ana

(website)

Veteran

Ooh, Marianne! Thanks for mentioning that. I get some of my hemming done at Nordstrom for free, but they have charged me for taking in the waist. I guess because it's a more costly alteration?

13 years ago

Alicia

(website)

Active Member

Oh ok I guess that's about right then. I'll take them back in if I can't handle the waist. Any tips of finding a good alterations place? My nordstroms is about 45 min away from me so not super convenient on all of my clothes

13 years ago

Kate

Veteran

Alterations are expensive in DC, so I only take in the items that are 10s. My tailor charges $20 for hemming jeans and about the same or a bit more for taking in the waist.

13 years ago

Astrid

Veteran

5€ for shortening unlined sleeves of a denim jacket, 10€ for shortening lined sleeves of a coat and 12€ for taking in the sides of a lined dress. Simple shortening of an unlined skirt for 4€. I guess I'm lucky!

13 years ago

christieanne

Veteran

Alicia - check yelp.com for recommendations in your area.

13 years ago

marianna

Veteran

Ana, complimentary alterations are a new feature as of Jan 2012! They charge you and then the bank credits you the next day.

13 years ago

Ana

(website)

Veteran

Wow, thanks for the tip, Marianne!

13 years ago

catgirl

Veteran

I had my Halogen skirts taken in at the hip AND hemmed for $20. But my tailor closed down.

13 years ago

(website)

Veteran

I just got back from picking up my white jeans - $10 to hem. Dropped my satin wide leg pants that I want made into cigarette leg - only $18 since they are not lined. I did pre-pin where I want them taken in to, but not sure that made a cost difference or not.

13 years ago

velvetychocolate

Veteran

I paid $17 to have Gap's Long and Lean jeans hemmed to my preferred heel height - and when I got the jeans back they were perfectly hemmed AND they appeared pressed or possibly even cleaned. Seems a bit high, but the jeans were hemmed flawlessly. The woman I dealt with seemed to know about PPL, and pinned the jeans in the exact right spot - plus I got them back in perfect condition.

13 years ago

raclar

Active Member

In in Chicago and that seems comparable for alteration prices.

Agree that although it might be expensive it's totally worth it.. make it into pants you'll love to wear and that look amazing!

I can hem but I need to figure out how to take in a waist on pants! Maybe on my next closet purge I'll experiment on some of my cast-offs.

13 years ago

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

Oh yes; also if you ask your friends in an area, you could find a hidden gem! I know a lady who will tailor winter puffer coats for (gasp) only $20 each. And they look amazing. I bundle out a bunch of coats to take out to her (about a 45 minute drive). I have lunch in a small town and visit with friends before picking them up same day.

Amaaaaazinggggg.

13 years ago

seattleattic

Active Member

My experience with alterations at Nordstrom (not the rack) is that when you pay full price for something, the alterations are free.

Since it's only been in the past year or so that I have become interested in fashion, I have yet to get anything tailored, so can't speak to Seattle prices. I would check Yelp and talk to colleagues and friends. My other recommendation would be to make sure make your point to the tailor to make sure you get your ideas and points across.

13 years ago

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