Tailor Fit

Seeing a tailor can make a HUGE difference in the way an article of clothing looks. Because, lets face it... you can't afford to have couture garments every day. Here are some guidelines to make your experience with whatever tailor you choose a little bit easier

• If something needs tailoring, buy to fit your largest body part and then have the rest taken in. This is much easier and less cost-prohibitive than making things larger. And it's great for vintage clothing because you can rarely find things that fit perfectly.
  
• Learn what stores have in-house tailors... Many Banana Republic stores have on-site alterations, as does Nordstrom.
  

• Hems are all important.... and often the easiest to alter. Your pants should generally touch the instep of your foot with a slight break. If you are plan on wearing heels with the pants, plan accordingly.
  
• If you are getting jeans hemmed, have the tailor reattach the original hem. It may be slightly more expensive, but it will look much more authentic, especially if the jeans in question are worn, faded, have extra wide hems or embellishment.
  
• If you are on the petite side, have your jeans shortened so that they are slightly on the long side. This can actually make you look taller, but be careful, you don't want to look like you are swimming in them.

• Hems on skirts usually look best when they stop at the thinnest part of your leg, which, depending on your body type, will be either right above or below your knee.
• Sleeve length is also important for looking put together. Sleeves that are too long can make you look unkempt. But, hey, Jennifer Love Hewitt worked it on Party of Five, so I guess you can too...

Change it up... bored with that blazer? Attach new buttons, or shorten the sleeves (Bracelet length sleeves are all the rage this fall!) Dress not so cute anymore? Make it a mini or a tunic or a top. Grandma's old fur coat? Make it into a cropped jacket, use it to line another coat or even a hoodie, make it into a handbag, pillow, whatever you want... The sky is the limit as long as you have enough material.

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