The Fit is Everything!

Today we're told that "one size fits all" or at least most.  This mentality has conditioned us over time until we're not familiar with what a good fit looks like and causes us to often settle for far less.

Almost nobody fits one size perfectly.  For manufacturers to make garments that are cost effective, they have had to create sizes and fit us to them. That's right, we've been taught to find the nearest fit to our bodies and settle. In addition, styles have become increasing unstructured.

While this may be perfectly appropriate for casual wear, it is the worst thing possible for special occasion and formal attire. When dressing up - fit is everything!

That's not to say that you can wear an ugly garment and look great if it fits right, but it sure does help!

Keys to looking great:

Select a style that will be great on you (not your friend, the model or the mannequin). Select a style that emphasizes your great features and diminishes your less-than-perfect attributes. Know your body and coloring - and be honest.
Make sure you select the right initial size.  With width must be wide enough for your widest point and the length must be long enough. You can have it shortened or made more narrow but cannot add width or length to the wrong size. Pick the right basic size first then . . .
Have it altered to fit perfectly by a qualified professional.

Most shoppers today expect to find a size that will fit them exactly and never even think of the possibility of having it adjusted to be perfect. Or they get angry and say nothing is available when they simply need to be willing to take this final step and have it altered. Altering can be the difference between so-so and stunning!

It is far too common today to see a Bride walk down the aisle in a gaping strapless gown. Prom girls are equally guilty. Even children's clothing often needs alterations to look great.

There's no excuse to look bad. We have to change our mentality ever so slightly to accept that almost any garment should be adjusted to look and fit much better. It may not be necessary for every day wear, but it is critical for special occasions when we want to look our best.

The final key:

Just like anything else, the quality of the professional directly effects the quality of the outcome.. Have it altered by a professional specializing in the type of work you need; one who really knows what they are doing.

The lady down the street might do sewing, but is she a highly accomplished specialist for the type of work you need done? For that matter, is the alterations person at your bridal salon exquisitely talented and trained or is she the type where "that's good enough?"

I went through more than one alterationist at the salon for my own bridal gown. The first one was either not equipped or simply too lazy to make the labor-intensive alterations necessary to correct a too-long bodice. An exceptional seamstress was brought in for the adjustments.  The results were a gown that looked hand-made just for me. You deserve this too!

If something doesn't look quite right, it likely needs to be adjusted.  The problem I had with a too-long bodice is one of the biggest problems I see from weddings to prom to pageants to even flower girls. Be courteous but firm. If it is an independent seamstress, ask to see samples of their work or at least a photo album of work they have completed. If the person you are talking with isn't able to do the adjustments, move on.

Training is everything. Just like doctors practice their specialty, so do seamstresses and alterationists.  Look for:

If a suit or tuxedo altered or custom made, you want a fine tailor (men, boys or women)

If a bridal or attendant's gown, MOB, flower girl or Communion dress, you want a bridal specialist.

It's highly unlikely that these folks also do draperies or other types of sewing because their area of expertise not only requires extensive special knowledge and experience - they are probably very busy!

Where do you find quality? One resource is the website of the Professional Association of Custom Clothiers (PACC). This is a professional organization dedicated to expanding skill and knowledge.  Their website is: www.paccprofessionals.org

Another great choice is to contact an independent fabric store that carries exceptional fabrics. They likely have excellent referrals for you. While it is possible you might find a good referral from a local chain store, be aware that many wannabes advertise in these venues too.

Many finely skilled specialists work in places such as Mens Warehouse, Joseph Banks and other up-scale suiters. You may find someone in these places with outstanding skills willing to take your work privately.

Of course most bridal salons have fine alterations specialists.  But be careful and pay attention to be sure you are receiving quality alteartions.  While it is possible to get good results from some bridal discount stores, far more often the results are mediocre at best. Be selective. And check the final outcome.

And finally, allow plenty of time for the alterations. A quality specialist will be very busy and not be able to drop everything to put you on their schedule. Also, you will want to be sure that you have ample time to try it on, check the results and have things changed if it is not yet fitting quite right.