Acquire A Tailor

The role of a skilled tailor might seem like a relic of the past in today's fast paced world of off-the-rack fashion and online shopping. However, having a tailor is not just a luxury for the upper class but an essential asset for anyone who values well-fitted, stylish clothing. It is also a great way to promote sustainability in fashion and in consuming responsibly. Here are some reasons why I think it is important for you to have a tailor.

1. A Perfect Fit: One of the most significant advantages of having a tailor is the ability to achieve an ideal fit for your body. Ready-made garments are designed to fit a broad range of body types, which means they often don't fit anyone perfectly-- it would be nigh impossible to achieve this speaking from my own designing experience. A tailor can take your measurements and make adjustments to ensure your clothing conforms precisely to your physique. Whether it's shortening a sleeve, taking in a waist, or hemming the length of a dress, a tailor can transform your clothing into something that feels more bespoke.

*TIP - Instead of having your tailor cut out fabric if you are taking a garment in, have your tailor save the seam allowance incase you ever need to let out a garment. If you are shortening the hem of a dress or skirt, have your tailor save the hem and they can fashion a hair accessory for you with the scrap fabric.

2. Wardrobe Investment: Atèlette garments are built and sewn to last, and I realize that these consciously crafted garments are a higher price point. I also know you want your investment to last. A tailor can help extend the life of your garments by making necessary alterations and repairs. This can save you money in the long run since you won't need to replace your garments as often.

3. Garment Care and Repair: In addition to their role in alterations and personalization, tailors are also adept at clothing maintenance. Much like seasoned physicians for your wardrobe, they skillfully replace buttons and mend torn seams, safeguarding the impeccable condition of your clothing collection.

*TIP - For easy repairs and maintenance such as seam repairs & replacing a button, there are several very helpful videos on Youtube you can watch! Instead of immediately discarding a garment because a simple fix is needed, start making the conscious choice to repair your clothes instead of contributing to more waste.

4. Elevating Your Confidence: I have witnessed a noticeable difference between a woman wearing impeccably fitted clothing and a woman who does not. It is a common movie trope to see the refined and self-assured female character in contrast with her frumpy often slightly disheveled counterpart. I mean do I even need to bring up Andy from The Devil Wears Prada? Or Mia from The Princess Diaries? Or Eliza from My Fair Lady? The list can go on and on. The confidence stemming from the knowledge that you're impeccably dressed can have a profound, positive influence on multiple facets of your life, from making lasting impressions at your job interview to exuding an air of refinement in social interactions.

5. Promoting Sustainable Fashion: The practice of tailoring plays a crucial role in promoting sustainability by mitigating the necessity to purchase new clothing. Through the extension of your garment's lifecycle, you actively contribute to the reduction of textile waste and the diminishment of your environmental impact. Sustainable fashion doesn't just mean purchasing sustainably produced garments, it also means working and being creative with what you already own and having a tailor help you with that process.