Tailor Cost
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How Much Does Tailoring Cost?

Last Updated on April 29, 2023
Written by CPA Alec Pow | Content Reviewed by Certified CFA CFA Alexander Popinker

Although the clothing offered on the market is extremely rich in variety, a visit to a tailor’s workshop is necessary and sometimes even unavoidable. No matter how well-tailored the clothes in the stores are, they are stock. This implies standardized sizes that do not perfectly match the physical pattern of any person.

In addition, improvements can be made to the design at any time, resulting in exceptional unique clothes. In the age of robotic production lines, the artistry of a good tailor is what makes the difference between the mundane and the exceptional.

How Much Does Tailoring Cost?

So how much does it cost to get your clothes tailored? The amount of money you are going to spend for tailoring your clothes will depend on various factors such as the type of clothing, the company/tailor you choose, the number of clothes that have to be tailored, and what needs to be done.

The general rule of thumb when calculating the tailoring cost is to take the original price of the clothing and add anywhere between 5% and 20% to this price. For instance, you will have to pay anywhere between $17.5 and $70 to professionally tailor or alter a suit that cost $350. The average cost of tailoring would be anywhere between $10 and $100. This will greatly depend on the place where you are living. In the table below you will find the average costs of different types of tailoring.

Type of Alteration Price Range
Shirt – Slim $30 to $50
Shirt – Shorten Sleeves $40+ with cuffs or $20 to $35 with no cuff
Shirt – Hem $20 to $40
Shirt – Adjust sleeves $60+ with sleeves or $20 to $35 with no sleeves
Pants – Slim the Leg $30 to $50
Pants – Hem $14 to $30
Pants, trousers – Adjust Waist $30 to $55
Jacket – Slim $40 to $65
Jacket – Shorten Sleeves $35+ with a detailed cuff or $20 to $40 without a detailed cuff
Jacket – Shorten $40 to $130
Jacket – Adjust Shoulder $50+ with sleeves or $20 to $40 with no sleeves

On the other hand, some companies may have a set fee for all the items. For instance, if you are in Boston, Massachusetts, and chose to go to ZOOTS Brookline Village, you will have to pay around $30 for two items.

Tailor ToolsThe cost to alter clothes such as dress shirts will be lower than for suits because these articles are the easiest to tailor. For example, you will have to pay anywhere between $15 and $25 to alter/tailor a casual shirt.

Tailoring services on common items like pants would cost you anywhere between $15 and $60, depending on the material they are made of and their complexity. For example, if the bottoms need to be hemmed, that would cost around $25, but if the leg needs to be opened, that would cost around $45.

Also, depending on how complex and what has to be done, tailoring suit jackets would cost anywhere between $30 and more than $130. You will have to pay anywhere between $30 and $40 if the jacket’s sleeves need to be shortened, while the cost of taking off the jacket’s sleeves and reattaching them would be around $110. Another common tailoring job is shortening the jacket. Expect to pay anywhere between $35 and $45 for it.

According to a Reddit thread, you shouldn’t pay more than $15 to $25 for tailoring a shirt, and $40 to $45 for modifying a coat. Of course, this will depend on what type of alteration has to be done.

Depending on the setup, you will have to pay $45 to $110 for shortening the sleeves of a leather jacket. The cost for shortening is around $45, while for shortening zippered sleeves you will have to get around $110 out of your pocket.

Important things to consider when getting alterations

Simple changes are usually ready on the same day (hems, tightening, zipper change) and the duration of more complex alterations varies depending on the complexity of the work. For additional information, please contact the tailor.

You might also like our articles about the cost of Men’s Wearhouse tailoring, prom dress alteration, or store mannequins.

Unlike clothes made from other materials, leather clothes require extra skill and precision. Any inattention and any mistake can have the most unpleasant results. Defects caused by rubbing, cutting, or hanging are much more difficult to correct and require special training for the tailor.

Tailors successfully cover work on various fabrics, from denim to lace and bridal wear, linen, silk to leather and fur, and from swimwear to knitwear. They can alter designer clothing to the original manufacturers’ specifications using the best tailoring techniques, threads, sewing machines, and careful dedication.

Which are the additional costs related to professional tailors?

Travel tailors are also available, and in case you ask for delivery and pick up as well, you will have to pay a mileage fee and a delivery fee.

Depending on the tailor’s shop, expedited tailors can be more expensive. Most of them are able to tailor your clothes within 48 to 72 hours.

Be prepared to pay another $15 to $35 for adding, removing, or moving a zipper.

Hemming leather will be 20% to 40% more expensive, on top of how much alterations cost in general.

It is highly recommended to tip a tailor a few dollars for a great job.

How can I save money?

Take into consideration talking to a local dry cleaner for simple jobs.

Loyal clients are offered discounts by many tailors. When you find a good tailor don’t change it.

Oftentimes, the store you bought your clothes from has tailors on-site that can help you. Also, they may offer a discount to their customers, so try to bring your clothes here.

If you need to tailor more than one suit, try to bring as many clothes as possible at once. Most tailors offer bulk discounts.

Alec Pow
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