To tailor or not to tailor

ivorygorgon

That is the question.

I have many items that are fairly new. For me, that means not worn out :). Over the last year I dropped a few sizes and they are now far too big. For example, a couple nicer pair of Ponte pants, a suit, and several jackets. The thing is, I think they are so big they would need more than a little tuck here and there, so I am not sure they would still look nice after tailoring. The pants literally fall off without a belt. On the other hand, I hate to get rid of them - it is VERY difficult for me to find things I like, so I hate to get rid of half my wardrobe. I have a terrible time shopping, it have some kind of shopping phobia.

Any thoughts?

12 years ago

General

12 replies

Latest reply was from Amy

Active Member

Have you attempted shopping lately? You may find that it's easier to fit your new figure and that you enjoy showing it off.
The kinds of alterations your items would require are risky if not impossible. And it sounds like you don't already have a tailor whose skills and judgment you trust.

12 years ago

retailgirl

Veteran

I feel your pain. I have lost enough weight to go down one size and I don't feel it's worth it to alter...I have done that before and was never happy with the results. I bought my favorite pants in a smaller size...(brooks brothers...so they always have them)...and had some of my jackets taken in a little through the torso. They came out ok. Blouses, knitwear are ok. So, I think one size may be do-able, but more than that, you are better off with new. Painful as the shopping experience might be.

12 years ago

Aleta

Active Member

Congratulations on losing the weight, so this may be a problem, but it is a nice problem! I know my Mum once had a similar issue and had quite a few items radically altered, with very varying results, although the tailor had done very good work before, they had only been small alterations.

Why don't you try shopping round for possible replacements first, after all your shopping phobia might have lessened now you have dropped a few sizes.

12 years ago

unfrumped

Veteran

If something is several sizes too big it is almost impossible to alter properly.
Alterations as you probably know are best for tweaking the fit when the garment generally fits well in most places--e.g. I size pants and skirts to hip fit, and tailor the waist. I've had a few blouses tailored at the side seams, but that's unusual, since if the top is too big, it's usually too big in armholes or shoulder seam as well.

What you need is a new Shopping Strategy--some way to figure out the places or brands that have a high likelihood of fitting you now, so that you have a decent chance of finding something without too much pain & discouragement.

Are you in or near major retail B&M stores? If so, I'd plan a day for "retail research"--don't put yourself under pressure to buy but go looking for which stores "get you". Don't buy anything until you've compared fits and prices--well, this works if you can easily return the next day or week.

To be less exhausting, it still would be useful to make a list of those items you most need to replace in your new fits, so you can focus on those departments (dresses, pants, sweaters or whatever) as you make your swing through several stores, and not get distracted.

12 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Congrats on your weight loss.

Tailoring items that are a few sizes too big is not the best idea. The results are often disappointing, and it's expensive. By the time you've paid for all the alterations, you could have bought better stuff on sale.

My suggestion is to pack away your favourite items that are too big, get rid of the rest, and begin buying clothes that fit in the holiday sales. Rome was not built in a day. Take it slow and steady. We can help you if you like.

12 years ago

Catnip

Veteran

My experience has been that taking something in more than one size doesn't usually work. Somehow the whole proportion of the garment is off. Also, the extent of the alterations would be very expensive, perhaps nearly as much as the original cost. I would recommend going shopping.

12 years ago

Gaylene

Veteran

There are a number of us on the site that have been in exactly this situation. It's a good feeling to have lost the extra pounds, but it's dismaying when things you like (and spent good money on) no longer work on your body. Not everyone approaches shopping and wardrobe building with a sense of glee.

I think Angie's suggestion to pack away your best items is a good one. It's too early to get rid of them, but they don't work for you any more so they shouldn't be taking up space in your closet. If you still feel strongly about them after six months or so, then you can think about alterations. I also found it easier to get rid of some things by passing the items on to a good friend or relative. Their happiness made it easier to let go of some of my nicer stuff.

Right now, I think you need to figure out the minimum number of items that you need to go about your daily life. Buy those items in a capsule so they work together. In my case, I supplemented my tiny capsule with a few carefully chosen oversized items that were still workable--mainly knits and outerwear. I know some people like to shop at thrift stores, but I stayed away from that option because I really didn't know what looked good on me anymore or what I wanted.

YLF was a huge help, but I tried to be careful not to buy things just because they fit and looked good--the bar needed to be raised. Losing weight changed my style but it took quite a bit of time and thinking to figure out how I wanted to dress my new shape. That's why I'd suggest taking it slow.

12 years ago

viva

Veteran

Congratulations on your weight loss! I hope you can celebrate with some small but meaningful purchases of well-fitting items. It will be important to build a good wardrobe that fits your new body after all of your hard work.

12 years ago

Caro in Oz

Veteran

Congratulations from me too. I agree with the others imo tailoring works best on items that just need to be tweaked.

If you really hate shopping I would recommend using a personal shopper. They will save a lot of frustration & leg-work They will also help you get a capsule together quickly & advise on fit & alterations

12 years ago

SandyG

Veteran

Ivory, congratulations on your accomplishment from me too! I think I understand your feelings about shopping. My size is hard to find locally and mall shopping gets super-frustrating, a tiring round of making decisions on garments that aren't even close to what I crave. ADD chaos every time. Replacing basic items or finding duplicates is a huge challenge and of course I tend to shop for events at the last minute and wind up frazzled and very unhappy with myself.

But at home with a list, I can happily click online for an hour and enjoy outfit combinations and colors. It's like paper dolls I take a few light risks in ordering and mostly get good results (a few returns to organize, but several pieces that work beautifully. Thank you, cream jeans for winter!)

To stay cheerful when I must hit the mall, I prefer to shop with one good friend. We help each other with carrying clothes, editing sizes, switching out items in the dressing room and generally keeping each other upbeat and focused. It's a 2 Hour Project tradition ... complete with a treat when we're done.

Angie always advises us to dress the body we're living in right now. Maybe you can give shopping a different slant and make things more tolerable for you?

12 years ago

ivorygorgon

Active Member

Thank you all for the kind words and thoughtful feedback. I guess I was hoping you all would save me from the horrors of shopping. Really, my hate of shopping doesn't have much to do with my size or my body. It Is hard to explain, but I simply detest the entire experience and don't want to spend my precious leisure time that way. I would rather go for a bike ride.

With that said, I knew in my heart I wouldn't be able to have anything tailored, and the comments I received on how tailoring affects the garment's structure were exactly what I needed.

I don't have enough clothing to get through a work week if I get rid of everything that doesn't fit- sigh. I guess I just need to suck it up.

12 years ago

Amy

(website)

Veteran

ivorygorgon, I sympathize with your aversion to shopping. The best thing to do is to make it as much of a fun outing as you can. Enlist a friend to go along with you, fit in time for a nice lunch and/or cocktails (or whatever you most enjoy).

Alternatively, I sometimes order a boatload of stuff and try it all on at home, instead of going to the hassle of driving to the store, etc. To save time, I would order multiple sizes of items you're really keen on

12 years ago

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