Finding the right fit

It’s almost impossible today to buy something off the rack that fits. Gone are the days when better clothing stores had a tailor on staff to make minor adjustments so clothes fit better. The biggest issue is fitting the length of trousers. All too many times I have bought pants that needed tailoring so they fit. Yet the service isn’t offered at the store. I have pants hanging in the closet that have been bought, paid for, and just hang there. You end up in double jeopardy if you like a cuff.

I guess stores expect you to grow your legs to fit pants that are six inches too long.

While living in the greater Seattle area it wasn’t a problem. I found a store that had a tailor on staff, who for a fee would fix any problem.

I was spoiled by having my clothes made from scratch in Hong Kong. Buying clothes from a tailor there was an adventure. First you thumb through books to find the style you like. Then you select the fabric you like from many books of fabric samples while the tailor advises you for or against the sample you’ve selected.

The tailor is interested in where you live and how the fabric will work in your climate area. In getting pants, the tailor will line the pants and you get to select the lining. If you’ve never worn lined pants you are in for a treat.

For a few years I found an older person here who knew how to hem trousers. She did it for $10.

Hong Kong tailors ask you to stay long enough to get three fittings. If you do, you can get pants, jackets, suits that fit like a glove. Short of that, you end up with clothes that just hang in the closet.

I have since worn out the clothes I had made in Hong Kong. However, on occasion, tailors from there come over here to prepare orders. They use the same order of prepping as they do at home where they do business. They like three fittings so there are no mistakes in how items feel, look and wear.

I had things made by Hong Kong tailors both there and here.

Surprisingly, the cost of having your clothes made is economical. This includes shoes and shirts.

I won’t buy no-tuck shirts. If my late mother would find out about it she would be displeased.