My epiphany today at the tailor - YouLookFab Forum

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My epiphany today at the tailor

catgirl

Veteran

I got my two silk tanks back that I had altered to have the straps taken up, so as not to show cleavage. And it's AMAZING! All the time I've wasted pulling my shirts up, tucking in more in the back, jerking my shoulders around, when such an easy fix was available.

That was the basis of my epiphany - it's not me that's the problem, it's the CLOTHES. All my life I've bought clothes that don't fit right assuming it's because I'm too short/thick/broad-shouldered/chesty/blah blah, and figured I should just put up with the hitching/pulling/tugging/scrunching all day, when really it's that the clothes are just not made for me. My tailor is going to be SO happy!

And a huge thanks to all of you here for getting me there.

General

16 replies

Latest reply was from astraldaeva

Vix

Veteran

Yea!

Glad to hear how happy you are. Your wallet will be a little light for a while, but your closet will be full of great-fitting things!

Marley

Veteran

You mean its OK that our bodies aren't perfect???? (Thanks for the thread AG - I've got a pile that needs to go to the tailor - I just haven't been motivated to actually get them there - now, I am!)

Megan

Oh I know this feeling!

I LOVE my tailor- that little man can work miracles (taking inches out of the shoulders of a stretchy merino woll tunic and moving bust darts on shirts!). It's expensive but SO worth it

Looking forward to seeing the pics of your newly fitted clothes!

MNsara

Veteran

Congrats, alaskagirl!!

I am also *almost* petite on top. So this summer I had two sheath dresses shortened in the shoulders -- what a world of difference

I now have necklines that I love and roomier hips where I need the extra room!

puffenstuff

(website)

Veteran

Yay now lets see pictures of these gorgeous tops on you!

Scarlet

Veteran

Why should only one height or one set of measurements be perfect?

Congratulations, AG, I am happy for you that you realized it's the clothes.

Sparky

Veteran

Yay, this is a big milestone! It ABSOLUTELY is the clothes, NOT you. Tailor costs can add up, but are so worth it. I think you'll find yourself needing fewer clothes because what you have will fit you so well ~ and make you feel so FAB. So the costs even out.

neeva

I had a similar epiphany when I read an article about shopping for a wedding dress. The author said she was shocked by the assumption in the wedding shops that all brides would look beautiful and that of course they would alter her dress to fit and flatter her perfectly.

She said that in men's clothing shops, there is usually a tailor on staff and they expect that the clothing will need to be altered. I don't know why most stores don't routinely provide that kind of service to women.

Michelle

(website)

Veteran

Alaska, I'm going to steal that mantra and post it...somewhere conspicuous. For someone who spazzes over body image issues at the drop of a hat, a line like "it's not me, it's the clothes" will be oft repeated.
So glad you had a good experience at the tailor! Someone who does good alterations is worth their weight in gold.

teri

Veteran

I have several skirts waiting to be dropped off to have pockets removed / sewn shut. It does get expensive, but makes your clothes look so much better on you.

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

I'm glad it worked out so well for you!

biscuitsmom

Veteran

So glad it worked out great for you! Its amazing how a few adjustments can make a world of difference...I HATE going to the tailor (I feel so self-conscious about my body) but I just grit my teeth HARD and go......

Lisa

Veteran

I'm not a fan of the tailor but agree a little tweak here or there make a world of difference. It's worth every penny.

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

If you learn to sew like I did, and start making your own clothes, you realize that everyone has different proportions, and that there are simple tweaks you can make that make everything fit so much better - some can be made after the fact, at the tailor, and some just can't be, so you have to find the right fit straight off.

It makes me really picky about fit now - even though I'm not skilled enough to make all the things I see in stores, I still think "oh, that could fit better, I'll just make one myself."

Just like with sewing patterns, the styles made for manufacturers are averages, abstractions - designed to fit as many people as possible fairly well, rather than you perfectly. There's no point in getting upset about it or feeling like it somehow reflects negatively on you - everyone's right, it's the clothes, not you.

(Edit: I mean the general you, not the OP or anyone in particular.)

lynne

Veteran

and spending money at the tailor to make an item wearable sure beats having it sit in your closet unworn.

astraldaeva

Having clothes altered makes a WORLD of difference. I lost some weight after my last breakup--about 30 pounds in 1 month, which was scary--and I paid $120 to have 3 paris of pants and 2 tops altered. I loved it, but decided right then and there that I was going to need to learn to do these things myself, since that kind of ethereal lightness is just not something my wallet can handle! =)