Anonymous wrote:I do my own because I can sew. Typically, I will let the hem down or tighten up the arm holes on a sleeveless top or dress. Tailoring is expensive and it’s time consuming.

Same, fine with tightening up armholes etc. The only problem is finding time to do it. I have a pile of clothes waiting for me to alter them.

Tailoring women’s clothing is a highly skilled occupation that has been undervalued for far too long. That said, alterations can easily become prohibitively expensive if the piece wasn’t a good bargain to begin with. I get very little altered these days.

Anonymous wrote:I do my own because I can sew. Typically, I will let the hem down or tighten up the arm holes on a sleeveless top or dress. Tailoring is expensive and it’s time consuming.

Same. Because I can sew, these prices are not shocking to me. It’s time consuming and worth the price if done well.

I just dropped off a pair of $50 white pants and she told me it was $70 to add a lining.

I do my own because I can sew. Typically, I will let the hem down or tighten up the arm holes on a sleeveless top or dress. Tailoring is expensive and it’s time consuming.

I just paid $100 to alter my teenager’s dance costume. The one ordered by her studio for her was huge; the tailor is practically remaking it. And that’s the most I’ve ever spent on alterations.

It’s why I appreciate getting things at the RealReal or similar I recently bought an Arkis Punto dress in great condition for $120 and $50 to hem and take in the waist slightly. The dress is excellent quality, fits me like a glove, and was cheaper than the cheap fast fashion stores

Just paid $120 for alterations to a $200 formal dress. Hem of several layers of chiffon, plus taking in the waist.
Alterations are skilled work and deserve to be priced as such. She probably spent an hour or two in pinning, cutting, sewing, and pressing. Not to mention her costs in supplies, including the investment in a professional sewing machine.

Close to 100 for a bridesmaid dress. 70 for a floor length dress with several layers. I hate paying to get things shortened - and I'm 5'2- shopping is hard.

I paid $70 for a dress that cost $12. My waist is 11i inches smaller than my hips and the dress fit my hips perfectly, but was big everywhere else. It was for a formal occasion so I was okay with $82 total.

Anonymous wrote:$400 to take 4 or so inches off top bodice of a suit style dress to fit my petite (short) frame, including narrowing armholes and (long) sleeves and basically making it fit perfectly.

Was not Ann Taylor, would not invest that in AT piece. Did get the dress on sale.

$400 to take 4 or so inches off top bodice of a suit style dress to fit my petite (short) frame, including narrowing armholes and (long) sleeves and basically making it fit perfectly.

These prices sound about right. And it's why I always chuckle when people on here always suggest tailoring to solve everything. "oh buy a dress at Ann Taylor and then have the length, waist and bodice tailored". Dress = $150. Tailoring = $175. And you're still left with an Ann Taylor dress in the end.

My reliable tailor is now charging $30 for hemming a lined dress.

Today I had two dresses altered and it was 150$ for both. I was flabbergasted but need them for two upcoming weddings so I had to just pay it.

What's the most expensive alterations for clothes that you've had done, and was it worth it

Me- Coach trenchcoat- shorten sleeves, raise the belt loops. $65. I think this was a fair price for the work that was done.

Then yesterday I just dropped off a $40 dress that I got on sale, with $55 for alterations. I am not feeling great about the alterations price and should have gone to the alterations lady at the cleaners instead but I was too in a hurry and this expert tailor did not speak English- I didn't feel right backing out after everything had already been pinned to slim it down. Hopefully I'll be happy with it when I pick it up.