Recent weight loss: It it worth it to tailor old clothes?

[Anonymous]

I've recently lost a substantial amount of weight (60 lbs-- yay me!). Down from a 14 to 8-10. I have happily contended with buying a new wardrobe; however, I have a few peices at my larger size that I really like. Mainly blazers and coats. Wondering if it's worth it to have the peices altered. I have never had anything altered before so I'm not even sure if a peice of clothing can be pulled in that many sizes wthout it screwing with the design.

[Anonymous]

It can certainly be done but unless these are real designer garments you wouldn't want to spend the $ for the quality seamstress you would need.

[Anonymous]

I think it really depends on the garment, how it is structured, and how it fits in general. Doesn’t hurt to take it someplace and see.
Also, I say this without knowing anything about your journey: many people end up gaining weight back. While I hope you are successful in keeping the weight off if that’s what you want, it might be a positive to have a few things you feel good in should you return to a size 14.

[Anonymous]

I would not with that large of a weight loss.

[Anonymous]

That’s too much for altering (but congrats on the loss, that’s awesome!).

[Anonymous]

No.

[Anonymous]

New you. New wrapping.

[Anonymous]

I think once you find out the cost of such major alterations, you will figure it is not worth it. Buy new clothes. If you cannot afford new clothes go to Goodwill or thrift shop. You should be congratulated on your weight loss. Make yourself look amazing with new clothes. You deserve it for all the hard work of dieting and losing. Junk that old coat and buy a cute new stylish one! You are a new person! Congrats to you!

[Anonymous]

Learn how to sew.

[Anonymous]

Statistics say the weight will come back in 12-18 months. I wouldn't alter the clothes

[Anonymous]

I've found that alterations are costly and often don't turn out right. I wouldn't do it.

[Anonymous]

I altered a lot of my work outfits after I lost 30#. It was worth it. They were at least 5 years old, and I figured if I gained the weight back (which I haven't) then it would be less of a loss if old altered stuff didn't fit than if I bought new stuff and got too big for it.

[Anonymous]

Are you done losing? If so, buy new. If not, rent the runway or similar til you hit goal weight.

[Anonymous]

If they are designer pieces worth thousands of dollars - yes. Otherwise, no, it takes someone who knows what they are doing to do that right, and they are not cheap. With that much of a weight loss you are likely looking at opening all the seams, basically reconstructing the pattern in your new size and putting it all back together. It’s not a job for people who do $10 pants length alterations.

If you are going to go for it, look for someone with an experience working for a high end custom tailoring shop or a theater costume department.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If they are designer pieces worth thousands of dollars - yes. Otherwise, no, it takes someone who knows what they are doing to do that right, and they are not cheap. With that much of a weight loss you are likely looking at opening all the seams, basically reconstructing the pattern in your new size and putting it all back together. It’s not a job for people who do $10 pants length alterations.

If you are going to go for it, look for someone with an experience working for a high end custom tailoring shop or a theater costume department.

PP, adding to the above - if they are unlined coats with a relatively simple construction, then it’s a maybe. Start asking around with the coats.