Shopping my closet with the help of a tailor!

This post will serve as my PSA for finding and using a good tailor if you do not sew yourself. I took 10 pieces to the tailor last Saturday and as promised I have taken pictures and styled them (not as best as I could but as fast as I could). I did not take the time to press them out correctly so you’ll have to excuse the wrinkles and my mid-day shine ;-) Here’s the list of things that were altered.

• Art Deco Dorothy Perkins Dress: I had the bodice raised and the hips taken in
• Kasper skirt suit in deep red: Jacket – armholes and sleeves shortened. Skirt - taken in at the hips. ( I have never worn this suit before I bought it because I loved the color and it fit at the bust)
• Tahari pantsuit in pewter: Jacket – armholes and sleeves shortened. Pant - taken in at the hips.
• Blue skirt from Kasper suit – again the hips were taken in.
• BR Navy all season wool trousers (Paired with tweed jacket) – I had the hem repaired and lengthened on these
• Chocolate Rena Rowan linen trousers – I had these taken in at the hips and tapered
• Gray-Green BR trench jacket – I had a rip under the arm repaired – it’s wrinkly but I hope you can see why this jacket was loved to pieces -- literally ☺
• Black side-zip trousers – I had these tapered. I chose NOT to lengthen them even though they are scaled for a petite (I bought the suit for the jacket, not the pants). The lovely ruffled scarf around my neck was courtesy of Adelfa. These are our happy colors and boy am I happy in this suit. I finally get to wear the whole thing together because the trousers fit! I’ll definitely be wearing this ensemble this week.

Tell me what you think (be honest)!

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This post is also published in the youlookfab forum. You can read and reply to it in either place. All replies will appear in both places.

32 Comments

  • Deborah replied 11 years ago

    I think the tailoring was worth the investment. Everything looks wonderful.

  • Kalli replied 11 years ago

    Omg, I want to rob your closet when I get bored of the stuff in mine. Can I magically transport myself, and you'll be generous enough to share? All kidding aside, tailoring is the way to go!

  • Caro in Oz replied 11 years ago

    Looking good. I LOVE the dress in #1 - & I'm not a dress person:)

  • Ingunn replied 11 years ago

    This is just perfect, Day Vies, and I envy you your closet! What a great investment. You have so many beautiful pieces here, no need for more shopping of classics in a while! I particularly love the red suit, and hope to see this again very soon.

  • Day Vies replied 11 years ago

    Caro -- I usually don't buy dresses because I know if it isn't custom or stretch jersey it will have to be tailored. But when I saw this one I had to have it. I knew it would be too big in the hips but I loved the print and knew that it would haunt me forever if I did not commit.

    Ingunn -- No need to envy my closet. I envy your ability to mix and match your closet and squeeze every bit of versatility a piece has to offer. You're right I will not be buying a suit again for awhile since these have been refreshed/reworked. I did not realize how many suits I had.

  • deb replied 11 years ago

    These are all wonderful and The dress is absolutely perfect on you. Isn't it great to have a tailor you can trust to do a proper job?

  • Runcarla replied 11 years ago

    Wow! Your tailor did beautiful work for you, in particular the work on the jackets. #3 takes my breath away,

  • Mary Beth (formerly LBD) replied 11 years ago

    You've got a style I am totally on-board with, but that first dress totally made me go green with envy!

  • Adelfa replied 11 years ago

    I only had eyes for your hips because that is the alteration I need too (but have never gotten). Wow, it looks so terrific to have the material be all sleek and well-fitting around your hips! The silhouette instantly gains elegance and sophistication!

    Years ago my DD had an extraordinarily well-dressed 3rd grade teacher. (She obviously did not fear fingermarks against her very expensive clothes.) She was really thin and petite, but with a behind that was larger in proportion. But she would rock sheath dresses and pencil skirts. It was clear that she got her clothes to fit her largest part, and then invested in extensive tailoring. She looked amazing. I always knew I should follow her example (sort of in reverse) but have never done it.

    But you are inspiring me, Day Vies! Wow, you look terrific!

  • Kiwichik replied 11 years ago

    I agree with you wholeheartedly a good tailor is a must. All your newly tailored outfits look perfect on you - the fit in all cases is great. I think I probably have the opposite problem to you - I have a small upper half but my bottom half is a lot larger whereas you have lovely slim hips and legs and a beautiful bust.
    I can always get a good fit for tops but bottoms not so much - I definitely have to employ a tailor as I always need to get my pants taken in at the waist as I need a bigger size across the hips, butt and thighs.

    Hmmm maybe we should go suit shopping together & swap tops and bottoms.

  • Gaylene replied 11 years ago

    Day Vies, these photos are perfect examples of how important it is to tweak the fit of items in order to look fabulous in your clothes. By not settling for good enough, you've hit the style stratosphere!

  • Janet replied 11 years ago

    Holy moly, you look fantastic in all of these! Well done.

    I almost couldn't even see anything past the first dress, it is so amazing and perfect on you. And #3, wow!

  • harmonica replied 11 years ago

    well done! you've found a great tailor and all the pieces seem to fit perfectly. yay for SYC with some tailoring help!

  • Transcona Shannon replied 11 years ago

    Fantastic DV! I have a great seamstress myself and know the value of that kind of work. Now I don't worry as much if I can't find something that's absolutely perfect off the rack - certain things can be fixed right up with nip and tuck here and there.

    These are all absolutely beautiful pieces on you and you just doubled the size of your wardrobe without buying anything new. Brilliant!

  • Angie replied 11 years ago

    *happy, happy, HAPPY sigh*

    Absolutely worth the investment and just look at you shine even more brightly in these outfits!

  • Suz replied 11 years ago

    Thank you for showing the fine results of this tailoring. It is so important for people to SEE that none of us fits everything perfectly off the rack, and it's okay -- we can, with help (or our own skill) make it work, and work brilliantly. These are all stellar pieces and you look beautiful in them.

    What this shows yet again is how important fit is to a truly polished appearance -- yet I think it is equally important to the right RATE look, too. That would be a good question to ponder in another thread.

  • Beth Ann replied 11 years ago

    Excellent tutorial, DV! And you look amazing. I'm feeling that red jacket. Wondering if it might like to live in the suburbs.............

  • Jaime replied 11 years ago

    I think impeccable is good word for you. You always wear precise fit and it just has an incredible effect on how you look - namely glorious!

  • Day Vies replied 11 years ago

    Adelfa -- I could not have said it better. I am finally practicing what I have been told.

    Kiwichik - we can totally go suit shopping together and swap tops and bottoms when retailers are mean enough to REQUIRE that you buy the same size top as the bottom.

    Gaylene - You are absolutely right, "good enough" isn't good enough for any body. In full disclosure it was the arrival of dress #1 a few weeks ago that forced me to finally go because the red suit had been sitting brand new and unworn in my closet for 2.5 years. What a waste of time!

    Janet - #3 seems to be pretty popular, I'll have to wear it to work this week.

    Shannon -- you are so right about doubling the size of my wardrobe. Again, I just feel bad that I had not done it sooner. ( I literally have a suit for every day of the week! ) It seems like we are conditioned to shop for the holy grail of fit rather than creating it with pieces that we already own and love.

    Suz - you make a great point about showing verses telling. I only wish I had the energy last week to take before pictures of these pieces so that everyone can see that perfect fit off the rack is rare. Also when we loose/gain weight we don't have to give up well-made pieces simply because our bodies have changed. Our clothes can change with us!

    Beth Ann -- *Clutch the pearls!* The red jacket cannot come out to the 'burbs and play; it may be lured away by someone else's enticing closet full of vests and interesting prints.

    Shevia -- Ah, I am so honored to have "impeccable" used to describe me. You know if fit is the reason I have been elevated to such a status then that proves that everyone can be impeccable.

  • Thistle replied 11 years ago

    All of these look beyond fab. I cannot pick a favorite. You look so amazing, so smashing, so stunning! I am not sure how you do it, but you just look perfectly put together all the time. I dream of having style like that one day!

    If I were Angie, this post would leave me needing smelling salts!

  • bj1111 replied 11 years ago

    stunning! tailors are worth their weight in salt!

    i need to take my own advice.

  • Buttercream replied 11 years ago

    This is such an inspiriation!

    Were you already confident of the tailor you used? I'm always a little nervous that I'll spend money for the changes but be unhappy with the result.

  • Day Vies replied 11 years ago

    Buttercream -- yes I was confident because her shop had tailored some button-down shirts for me and a peacoat. If any of your friends have already used a seamstress or tailor use who they recommend. It is definitely worth the investment.

    Also I am surprised nobody had mentioned yet that if you buy suits or dresses from Nordstrom's their talented alterations staff will tailor the garment(s) to fit you.

  • lyn* replied 11 years ago

    You look so amazing in all of these outfits - look at how brightly you're smiling! My absolute fav is that red skirt! You wear the colour so well, and it makes me want a red skirt with slight flare! :) I have a red pencil, but it's just not the same!

  • Day Vies replied 11 years ago

    That skirt was the ONLY reason I bought the suit. I was wondering if anyone noticed the kicky pleats at the hem. I shouldn't be surprised that you were the first.

  • lyn* replied 11 years ago

    I win.

  • Susie replied 11 years ago

    Oh my. You look amazing in your gorgeous suit pieces, especially the red- I love both the skirt and the jacket.

    You are the poster child for good tailoring!

  • Karie replied 11 years ago

    A good tailor is well worth the investment. Your tailor did an amazing job, and you look fantastic!

  • jenanded replied 11 years ago

    Smashing! And how many pieces and outfits rigt there... taking notes and advice...

  • jayne replied 11 years ago

    You are pure style in all these outfits! So professional and perfectly, heh, tailored! I am inspired now to take my favorites in for tailoring after my weight stabilizes. I hate the ide of losing pieces I love. I adore the red suit both pieces. It has a unique style that is hard to find!

  • kkards replied 11 years ago

    i'm always amazed what a good tailor can do, but how hard it can be to find one.

    love them all, but #9 is my fav.

  • Tina.b replied 11 years ago

    OH, wow, I'm just in awe! This illustrates the importance of a good tailor and the investment in the tailoring itself. All your clothes fit impeccably. I'm just thrilled to see you in a dress, and I love both the pattern and shape of that one. So fantastic!

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