'Fit Like A Glove'

Are you afraid of a little nip and tuck?

No, I’m not talking about visiting a plastic surgeon. I’m talking about the relationship you have with your tailor.

Yes, there are many people who have few qualms when it comes to investing in plastic surgery. Far worse, there are the beauty and hair addicts with their vanities overflowing with creams, sprays, peels and wraps.

Surprisingly, most accessory and clothing queens do not have a tailor’s phone number and address filed into their Blackberry’s. I don’t. But that’s because I could hand-sew a zipper into a woman’s dress blindfolded.

In the latest August issue, Instyle Makeover ran a clever spread with the help of expert NYC tailor Jean Kormos on how a little snip and a tuck can transform any garment. The spread compared the garment before and after, and outlined the cost of each simple alteration.

Shortening the hem of a dress might cost $24 in New York, or typically $10 and up elsewhere. Kormos’ expert advice on alterations, however, is invaluable.

If finding a tailor through word of mouth doesn’t pan out, Kormos suggests visiting the Association of Sewing and Design Professionals Web site (paccprofessionals.org). Scheduling a consultation with the tailor and asking to see examples of the tailor’s work are strongly suggested. Always ask for an estimate – some heavily embroidered or embellished pieces may be too costly.

Once you’ve settled on a tailor, dry-clean the garment first before handing it over. This will relax the fibers and help the tailor in providing the best fit.

Tailors do not only fix hems and cuffs. They also cinch in the sleeves of a blouse, trim the waist/bustline, shave excess in jacket sleeves and narrow the inseam of a pant.

For hemming pants or the taking in of a bust line, be sure to bring the shoes and bra you intend to wear. Otherwise, the hem might fall too short. The bra, similarly, might make the new bust line look even more ill-fitting.

Other pointers: The sleeve of a jacket should always hit the wrist. The cuff of a man’s dress shirt should show a quarter of an inch from the jacket sleeve.

Most garments can be taken in up to two sizes without changing ‘the integrity of the garment.’ You will need to shop a smaller size if the piece needs to be altered more than two sizes.

Still afraid of a little nip and tuck?

-S. Gonzalez