Alterations Boutique

Alterations Boutique are specialists in alterations, tailoring and restyling repairs in all types of clothing for ladies and gentleman including bridalwear.

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Dressmaking and Tailoring Professionally at Home

Severe economic recessions can be the impetus for considerable social change and the 2008 credit crunch and ongoing repercussions are said to have led to a revival in home dressmaking.

  Two major UK retailers have recently reported massive increases in the sale of sewing machines, one by 50%, the other by 258% in 12 months.

  We tend to forget how recent the availability of cheap high street ready-made clothing has actually been.

  Historically, the industrial revolution, particularly the invention of power looms, and the two world wars are thought to have paved the way for the retail fashion industry that really began to blossom in the 1960s with the advent of designers like Mary Quant and Biba.

  In previous centuries the bulk of the family clothing had been made by the women of the family, unless they were in the income bracket that allowed for fleets of servants to take care of the household sewing or the use of a professional tailor or dressmaker.

  The wars led to a simplification of women’s clothing in particular, partly because women were drafted into factories to help the war effort and therefore needed clothes that allowed for ease of movement.  That led to the acceptance of the idea of more women going out to work, which, of course meant that they had far less time for making clothes for the family.

  As the ongoing economic crisis continues more and more high street retailers, particularly those involved in retail fashion, are disappearing. This also reflects the change to shopping online to save money and to the resurgence of home dressmaking. To get more guidance from experts check the following Dressmaking.

    However, it is unlikely that modern women, however cash strapped, will be able or willing to go back to the days of making all the family’s clothes. There is still the issue of having the time to do so as households continue to depend on two incomes in order to survive.

  While home dressmaking can be enjoyable and satisfying not too many women – or even men – are likely to have the confidence or the skill to construct an outfit that is tailored or anything that is made to a more elaborate pattern for a special occasion.

  This is where the services of an expert in alterations and in dressmaking will be needed.

  The advantage of using a professional dressmaker is that they combine the services of style advisor, pattern maker and designer among their skills and in consultation with their customer can produce a truly stylish, beautifully-made and perfectly- fitted outfit for any occasion. Our previous blog will help you to know about the Importance of well Tailoring clothes for making the right impression.

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Consider Either One Bespoke Tailoring or Alterations

Having a bespoke suit made will ensure the fit is perfect for an individual’s shape and size, and tailored to their style and personality.

If a suit is needed for an important occasion or when there is a need to impress in either a business or social setting bespoke tailoring can be more cost effective than going for a ready-made designer label.

It may be that, for example, the tailor can offer a better quality fabric through their extensive network of suppliers and will have a variety of samples to show.

If the budget is tight it is possible, however, to improve the fit and therefore the look of a ready-made suit by using the services of an experienced tailor and using their alterations service.

If the alteration required is extensive it would be wise to contact the company first to arrange an appointment when they ensure you have their full attention.

Choosing the right company will be made easier if the customer has given some thought to their budget, the maximum amount they are willing to spend and how much time they are able to give the tailor.

Many will offer an initial consultation at which questions can be answered.  Once they have an idea of what the customer wants they should be able to advise, based on the amount of work, how long it will take to make or alter the suit. To get more guidance from experts check the following Suit Alterations.

Some tailors are able to deal with urgent cases when a garment can be altered and returned the same day. But to take advantage of the skills of an expert tailor and get value for money it makes sense to allow them the time they need to do a proper job.

It is also advisable to ask whether there are charges for a fitting or for advice. On the whole these are not charged for when the customer goes to the tailor’s studio, although they might be if the customer wants the tailor to visit them or requires a collection and delivery service.

The more the customer can do to help the tailor understand their requirements the better the end result is likely to be, so if there are particular preferences when it comes to style and colour it is helpful to have a list ready for the first consultation.

  Single or double breasted, how many buttons on the jacket, whether pockets have flaps or slits, with or without a waistcoat are all matters of personal taste. If a customer is unsure what style will be appropriate for the particular occasion the tailor will be able to offer guidance.

  A little preparation will benefit both the customer and the tailor when ordering bespoke tailoring or suit alterations. Our previous blog will help you to know about the Importance of well Tailoring clothes for making the right impression.

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Consider Having Something Professionally Made for a Special Event

Special events, like weddings or formal occasions, require an outfit that is a bit special and it may be that a search of the shops has revealed nothing that quite fits the bill.

  It may be a better alternative to have something custom-made using a professional dressmaking service.

  To get the best out of the experience it is important to give the dressmaker sufficient time to do their job properly and to be prepared for an initial consultation and several fittings. Many get booked up well in advance, particularly if they do a lot of bridal wear.

  While using a professional dressmaker is more expensive than buying ready to wear, it is important to have a maximum budget in mind and to be honest about it.  This will give the dressmaker the information they need to advise properly about what can be achieved within the limit and ensure there are no misunderstandings later.

  It is likely that the dressmaker will ask for a deposit before beginning work and this is something to be prepared for.

  Allow plenty of time – at least an hour – for the first consultation.  This is not a situation for making a hasty decision. If you have any ideas of styles and colours that you like it is worth taking pictures to the first meeting, but not to buy any fabric, not only because the dressmaker may be able to source the right material and colour more affordably but also because they are experienced and will be able to advise on the best type of fabric to use to achieve the look that is wanted. However, taking fabric swatches is fine as it will add to the information the dressmaker needs and they will be able to advise whether a particular textile will work for the design or not.

  In the absence of any clear idea of what the client wants the dressmaker will be able to show them pattern books from which to build a picture of the eventual outfit. To get more guidance from experts check the following Dressmaking.

    Advice on underwear, support and accessories is part of the services offered by a professional dressmaking service. Also if the client has been trying to lose weight they should be at their ideal weight at the time of the first fitting.  Major changes to measurements throughout the process will add to both fitting time and the cost of subsequent alterations to the outfit.

  Once the basics of the outfit’s style and material are established it is important for the dressmaker to be able to carry out fittings properly that client turn up with the shoes they plan to wear and wearing the underwear that will be appropriate to the garment.

  Having a special outfit made is the collaboration between client and professional expertise of the dressmaker and the guidance above will help make it a positive experience for all involved. Our previous blog will help you to know about the Importance of well Tailoring clothes for making the right impression.

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How Important is Wearing a Suit in the 21st Century

It is often said that dress rules have become more relaxed and casual, especially since the advent of dress down days at work and the widespread opinion that results matter more than appearance, but is this really true for men?

  Wearing a suit for formal occasions, interviews and in certain types of profession is still the convention for a number of good reasons.

  Clothes have a transformational power not only for the wearer but also for the observer. Wearing a well-cut, stylish suit can give a man confidence when it is necessary.

  It is also believed that dressing professionally improves self discipline and this is true not only of those in the military. A suit suggests planning, forethought and being prepared but also sends out the message that the wearer has considered the situation important enough to take some trouble with his appearance.

  Seeing a man in a suit also works psychologically on the observer.  It suggests professionalism, someone to be trusted and in whose judgement one can have confidence. It is not surprising, therefore, that a suit is generally the choice for those in the legal and business professions where trust is an issue. It is generally said that people form their impression of someone they are meeting for the first time within the first three seconds.

  However, the style of the suit also matters. It is probably best to avoid the extremes of fashion in the more conventional professions, so the current trend for skinny leg trousers and tight fitting jackets that only just button is probably not a wise look for those ambitious for success in their careers in these environments.

  Choosing a well-cut suit need not depend on buying a ready-made outfit from a top designer name.  For the same amount of money a man may be able to get a better quality suit by choosing bespoke tailoring. To get more guidance from experts check the following Suit Alterations.

The current “classic” style is one that is not likely to look dated very soon is a suit cut that would appeal to a military officer, one that accents a sense of the masculine through broad shoulders, a slim waist and slim trousers.

It needs to be made of good cloth and fit the wearer well and this is where expert tailoring will make all the difference. For anyone within reach of the UK capital, tailoring in London is still considered to be the best in the world. It is, after all the origin and home of the classic man’s suit. Our previous blog will help you to know about the Importance of well Tailoring clothes for making the right impression.

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Men and body shape

The natural male adult body shape is broad shoulders and expanded chest tapering to narrower hips and waist, the classic male V-shaped body.

  But like women’s, men’s bodies change as they age and in men fat tends to concentrate on the abdomen and waist in men.

  Chosen with care, clothing can be used to change the look of a body and to play down the bad points. This can mean that a tailor’s eye may be needed to ensure that it fits well and has the right features to accentuate the wearer’s best points.

  A suit is generally a major purchase for a man and is expected to last longer and the advice is generally to buy two good quality ones in preference to five cheaper ones.

  The attentions of a skilful tailor may still be needed even if a suit is bought ready made in the correct size because it is the fine details of fit through suit alterations that make a suit look and feel good, while style is a question of personal taste and the occasion or environment for which it is wanted.

  The first thing to consider is the purpose for which the suit is mainly to be used, whether it is daily office wear, an interview or a formal event. The decisions on features are endless: one two or three buttons, what kind of lapels and one vent or two to the jacket, while trousers can be with or without pleats or turn-ups. A good quality wool will be longer-lasting than a lighter fabric and can be worn all year round.

  Navy blue is generally considered a safe and versatile colour and will be the most useful for regular wear in a variety of situations.  The choice of a pattern will need care because patterns can date and may not be versatile enough to cover everything from an interview to a day in the office to a more formal event.  On the whole the guidance from the experts is to keep things simple. To get more guidance from experts use the following Alterations London.

  Apparently also, according to some style experts, the one thing most women notice about men is their shoes, especially how clean and sharp they look.

  These choices are less about the current fashion than about what will best enhance the person and the way they look as well as making sure the investment in a good suit will pay for itself.

  For a young man buying his first suit an objective view of the choices he is considering will be very helpful. However, an experienced tailor will be able to advise and guide each individual on how to make the best of their appearance. Our previous blog will help you to know about the Importance of well Tailoring clothes for making the right

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The History of the Mens Lounge Suit

The two piece lounge suit is a uniform for men in business almost all over the world and it is thought that its present form dates back approximately 150 years.

  Before that, men’s fashion was much more colourful, featuring wigs, embroidery, jewellery, tight breeches, stockings of various designs and types until around the end of the 18th Century.

  By this time London’s Saville Row, previously a centre for surgeons, had become the centre for gentlemen’s tailoring.  The buttons on the cuffs of the modern suit jacket are said to be a relic of the surgeons.  As professionals, as opposed to working men, they would keep their jackets on while working and the buttons could be undone to allow the sleeves to be rolled back to avoid their becoming blood spattered!

  Male dress became more sober over the course of the 19th Century, at first using woollen cloth of more sober colours but with jackets having either tails or styled as frock coats. 

  The Regency dandy Beau Brummel is often credited with influencing the development of men’s clothing to a more simple style and with devising the trouser, allegedly influenced by the trouser of military uniform.

  Generally a man would have a “bespoke” suit custom-made from his chosen cloth and to his specifications by his tailor.

  The tailed morning coat finally gave up to the lounge suit with the rise of American business culture at the end of the 19th century. The modern suit jacket style has a sporting heritage, with the vents at the back making it more comfortable to wear on horseback. Slash pockets are also thought to have been derived from the need to access contents easily while on horseback.

  Over the 20th Century the details of suit style have changed with the fashions. In the 1920s young men started wearing wide-legged trousers, known as Oxford bags.  The normal suit trouser usually measured around 23 inches.  Other trouser fashions have also come and gone, from with or without turn-up, narrow-legged or “drainpipe” to flared from below the knee and back to straight-leg or even narrow again. Further queries check out Suit Alterations and it will let you know who we are and what we do.

  Jacket styles have varied too, having one, two, three or even four buttons, wide or narrow lapels, pockets with or without flaps.

  Tailoring also developed from bespoke to made to measure, where a standard pattern was adapted to fit the person and a choice of fabrics was offered.  Nowadays, of course, suits can be bought ready to wear, although it is often still the case that alterations by an expert tailor are needed to get the perfect fit. Our previous blog will help you to know about the Importance of well Tailoring clothes for making the right impression.

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The Importance of well-fitting clothes

It is said that first impressions count and that people make their assessment of a newly met person in the first few seconds, so it is no surprise that what we wear has become increasingly important.

  Widespread, affordable clothing shops mean that not many people these days are likely to consider making their own clothes.  How many people these days have the sewing and dressmaking skills to be able to create their own complete, well-fitting and stylish outfits? How many have the equipment or the time to do so?

  Buying ready-made clothes that fit perfectly can sometimes be difficult, however.  Very few people are the perfect size and shape and the need for well-fitting clothes, especially when it is necessary to make a good impression, have made tailoring and alterations services more important.

  Job interviews are one example of a situation where first impressions and appearance count and where confidence can make a difference to a candidate’s performance.

  A smart, well-fitting suit is usually the outfit of choice for interviews for both men and women and it is possible to find an appropriate outfit off the peg but it may be that getting the right fit of jacket may means that the matching trousers, or skirt, are perhaps a bit too loose or not the correct length.

  Fashion experts identify several female body types. They include the apple body shape characterised by broad shoulders, often a large bust and chest for their frame, amazing legs and top sizes larger than the bottom.

Pear shaped women have shoulders narrower than their hips or top sizes smaller than bottom sizes, while the round body shape is curved all over with weight is carried on the stomach, hips and thighs. The hips and shoulders can be narrow in relation to the frame.

  Men, too, can have particular body shapes such as the triangle, inverted triangle, oval and rectangle.

  Getting a suit altered by a professional to fit these body shapes properly can help a person to look good and feel confident when it really matters. It means the wearer does not have their attention partly diverted by an undercurrent of worry about what they are wearing. Our previous week thought will help you to keep your well fitting clothes with Style Making Wardrobe.

    Having a suit professionally altered can also be a way of subtly demonstrating attention to detail, which may be something an interviewer is looking for in a job candidate.

  One useful tip when going to a professional for suit alterations is to take the shoes you plan to wear, and also the shirt, if appropriate.  The height of the heels of a pair of shoes will alter the length needed for a pair of trousers or a skirt and wearing the shoes will help the tailor ensure that they can get the measurements exactly right.

  It may seem like an unnecessary expense but investing in getting a smartly-tailored, professional look just right is worthwhile because it is very unlikely that the suit will be worn just once.  Job hunts and interviews can be stressful enough without having to search out the right outfit for each interview and it is possible to ring the changes with the colours of accessories, ties, blouses or shirts so that the look remains fresh. Alterations Boutique will let you who we are and Dressmaking & Tailoring will let you know about what we do.

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Give Your Wardrobe a Style Makeover

How often do we have the experience that when getting ready for a social or business event we open the doors of a wardrobe bursting with clothes but then cannot find anything we feel is suitable?

  We select a suit and find the zip’s broken.  The only shirt that matches is missing a button or two. Perhaps we’ve put on a little weight without realising and it doesn’t fit as well as it should, which can be a problem when a first impression needs to count and be positive.

  Then there are the impulse buys that looked good in the shop under the flattering lighting in the dressing room but somehow not once they were brought home and they have been languishing in the cupboard ever since, unworn and unloved.

  Other things may be too short, too long or look just a bit dated. Perhaps your own tastes have changed as well.

  Trained dressmakers are able to do much more than alterations.  They frequently also have access to more up to date trimmings as well as experience in advising customers about what colours and styles will make the most of their looks and colouring.

  This is not something that is only for women. Men, too, are much more style conscious than they used to be and are equally vulnerable to being judged on appearance, particularly in a corporate environment. For more details let us explain with help of our   previous week thought about Male Wedding Suits.

  A well pressed, well fitting suit is important for them in many work environments and because in general men tend to make a suit last longer there is a risk that attention may be needed to stretch material at the knees, elbows or around the hips.  Perhaps also suit alterations will be needed to make it fit as it once did to take account of weight and other body changes.

  It is worth having a first consultation to have an objective opinion about one’s clothes and some guide to the price of improving it. It may turn out that a whole “new” wardrobe is possible for less than the money of buying an equivalent number of outfits. Alterations Boutique will let you who we are and Dressmaking & Tailoring will let you know about what we do.

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Alterations Boutique Male wedding suits

Feeling Comfortable and Stylish at His Wedding is Important for a Man Too

  There is no doubt that wedding preparations have become a hugely stressful and expensive business with much of the focus on the dresses to be worn buy the bride and bridesmaids.

  But even if the groom’s clothing is required to fit into an overall theme or colour scheme most men are likely to want to feel comfortable as well as stylish and preferably wearing something that won’t embarrass them when the photos are revisited many years after the event.

  His suit can be anything from a simple, classic two-piece to a three piece or even a morning suit, but most crucial to having an enjoyable and relaxed day is that whatever the outfit it fits well and is comfortable to wear.

  If the budget does not run to bespoke tailoring an off the peg suit can be altered by an expert tailor to ensure the suit hangs well and fits the individual’s frame, arm and leg length properly.

  It is generally best to avoid patterns and go for a classic suit in a plain colour. It is in the nature of things that whatever the groom wears will almost certainly be overshadowed by the bride’s and bridesmaids’ outfits but it can certainly complement them.

  The colour theme can be echoed in the tie, a silk handkerchief in the breast pocket – or even in the choice of a toning dress shirt.  On the subject of shirts again plain colour or white is better than a pattern particularly for the photographs, but the essential point is to get the collar size correct both for comfort, and again for the pictures.

  It may be that the other male officials, such as ushers if any and the best man, can wear a subtly patterned shirt but getting a pattern right can be difficult, not only because they go in and out of fashion but also because small patterns, particularly stripes do not reproduce well in photographs.

  If the bride is not overseeing every detail of the clothing and décor for the whole party but has perhaps chosen a colour theme, a tailor can offer guidance and help to the groom on what will work best for him and the men on his side.  It will help if he can see a photograph of the bride’s dress and the bridesmaids’ outfits.

  A wedding day may be an important occasion but it should also be a happy one that brings a smile and a good memory whenever the couple looks at the photographs, or these days increasingly the video, long after the event.

Alterations boutique and Squidoo.ABoutique will helps you to read some other articles about us. Then Dressmaking & Tailoring will show you a clear view about how we work.