Choosing a tailor used to be an easy task. You would just go to someone that had worked with a family member or you’d visit the suit salesman who would be able to point you in the right direction. Today, unfortunately, it is not that easy and requires more effort. In this blog, we give you some tips that will make your search easier.
Educate Yourself
Before you visit a tailor, you should know and understand the basics of men’s style. You’ll understand the importance of the details, like the fit of suit jackets and the break on a pair of trousers that you didn’t notice before. Once you’re educated on the intricacies involved in menswear you’ll understand why it is important to pay attention to what you are wearing as it is giving others messages about who you are.
Tailor Recommendation
You should take tailor recommendations with a grain of salt because more men are not picky when choosing their tailor and usually stay with the current tailor because they are unaware of the other options available to them. With many men not knowing what a proper fit looks like, it is very likely that a tailor is recommended due to people not being knowledgeable about what a well-tailored garment looks like. Closely examine your friends and colleagues – who among them who is the best dressed? Those are the individuals you should be asking for recommendations.
What Is Your Tailor’s Communication Like?
You’ve gathered a list of reputable tailors now what? You should contact them via telephone or email to get an idea of how they communicate with potential clients. Do they listen to you, or try to push their ideas on you? Do they take the time to listen to you, or are conversations rushed? These are all questions that distinguish a great tailor from the others.
Do They Have Samples Of Their Work?
You’ll want to ask your potential tailor for pictures or example pieces of previous work they have done. This will be a sure way to get a feel for the style of your tailor, and what they deliver their clients. If the overall garment looks good, then you’ll want to examine the smaller details, like the stitching and the silhouette.
What Are The Turnaround Times Like? Is The Tailor Available?
You’ll quickly find that the best tailors are booked and busy. Unfortunately, wait times of up to a month are not unusual. In the best-case scenarios, you’ll want to have a tailor that can accommodate your needs in a timely manner, and that would require you to let them know what your expectations are early on in the alteration process.
We didn’t mention price, as it is the least important factor when looking for a tailor. You want to find someone that can bring your vision to life and create the perfect fitting garments for you. At John Ferrigamo, we do that for you and more. Come see us and let us help you look your best!
