This is such a valuable piece of writing! As a tailor, it’s really rewarding to see the level of detail and relationship valued. It is an emotional experience and trust is at the core. Sometimes delivering the news we don’t want to hear.❤️
Totally! As I was writing this I realized tailors are kind of like surgeons…giving us an assessment on what the operation would be, the risks, what they can’t cut into etc!
This speaks so much to what I’ve been feeling about tailoring as well! Sometimes I view tailoring as a magic fix but I had a reality check last week too. It’s making me more discerning about evaluating a piece of clothing and whether it actually fits the way I like to dress!
sometimes we all need a little reality check! my weakness is vintage silk dresses which ive been buying for a long time, but this example just reminded me it doesn't matter how experienced of a thrifter you are, things just don't work out sometimes
as a fellow asian fashion girlie i felt the nervousness about asking for a less modest fit from an older asian woman!! i usually get things altered at a shop run by a very nice lady but it feels like asking my grandma to shorten a skirt or make a pair of pants tighter. it's always worth it in the end but the nerves never really go away lol
Omg using a brooch as a waist pin is genius *takes notes*. Also, I should probably find a tailor. Love that you have such a close relationship with yours!
i love this and i think the lesson on letting go is something that rarely gets brought up about the entire tailoring experience. i have had tailors tell me that something just won't work, and have tried to push back against it...and they were always right, because of course they were! it's their job! it sounds like you've found the right tailor––and also i think the moschino doll skirt actually looks so much better, even with just an inch off!
Yes! I was reflecting on why it feels so hard to accept that some alterations just won’t work…it seems our culture tells women that everything related to your appearance and body can be “tweaked.” There is a drug or procedure for everything…and with AI (lol) you can easily manipulate a photo or video of how clothes look on you. So when everything is treated as malleable, it’s kind of jarring when we are met with the material reality of fabric that cannot be manipulated a certain way!!!
extremely real!!!!!! i think you're absolutely right...particularly in this digitally surreal + easily manipulable moment, it is not often we come up against a hard limit like that to what can and can't be changed to better suit our aesthetic preferences. and honestly i think it's probably extremely good for us to run up against that sometimes! maybe more even!
This article reminds me I need to find a tailor! Viv is there anyway you could share a gift link to the SF chronicle article? Rn it’s only available to subscribers and I’d love to read it
wow loooved this read 💖 especially loved the moment when your tailor let you finish rambling, and then said “if you want honest opinion…” ! It takes such a relationship to give and receive that kind of feedback ugh beautiful
Seeing this post one day after spending $90 on a single dress alteration in Oakland (hemming and taking in the chest area). I’m now inspired to shop around and also not be afraid to ask for a tighter fit because I definitely just left it to the tailor’s taste 🥲
I am SHOCKED that that's all she charged you! I'm in the Midwest and it cost me $150 for 2 pants taken in, 1 pant hem, 1 dress hem. Protect her at all costs!
Viv— this is so good! I just started a no buy challenge for the month of June… And the first thing I did yesterday was took a bunch of pieces that don’t fit me great anymore to the tailor! Instead of buying new things, why not just get things that don’t fit anymore in a size-space where I can wear them again!
This is such a valuable piece of writing! As a tailor, it’s really rewarding to see the level of detail and relationship valued. It is an emotional experience and trust is at the core. Sometimes delivering the news we don’t want to hear.❤️
Totally! As I was writing this I realized tailors are kind of like surgeons…giving us an assessment on what the operation would be, the risks, what they can’t cut into etc!
ADORE THIS. And your doll skirt. That tiny bit makes a big impact.
thank you! wild what 1" inch can do - i'm not very tall, so the extra peek of skin makes a huge diff!
This speaks so much to what I’ve been feeling about tailoring as well! Sometimes I view tailoring as a magic fix but I had a reality check last week too. It’s making me more discerning about evaluating a piece of clothing and whether it actually fits the way I like to dress!
sometimes we all need a little reality check! my weakness is vintage silk dresses which ive been buying for a long time, but this example just reminded me it doesn't matter how experienced of a thrifter you are, things just don't work out sometimes
as a fellow asian fashion girlie i felt the nervousness about asking for a less modest fit from an older asian woman!! i usually get things altered at a shop run by a very nice lady but it feels like asking my grandma to shorten a skirt or make a pair of pants tighter. it's always worth it in the end but the nerves never really go away lol
I’m laughing so hard bc why is this such a specific yet universal experience!!! In my head I’m like omg…scared that she thinks I’m a little hoe
like auntie i'm sorryyyy i promise i won't wear this to a family dinner!
Omg using a brooch as a waist pin is genius *takes notes*. Also, I should probably find a tailor. Love that you have such a close relationship with yours!
i love this and i think the lesson on letting go is something that rarely gets brought up about the entire tailoring experience. i have had tailors tell me that something just won't work, and have tried to push back against it...and they were always right, because of course they were! it's their job! it sounds like you've found the right tailor––and also i think the moschino doll skirt actually looks so much better, even with just an inch off!
Yes! I was reflecting on why it feels so hard to accept that some alterations just won’t work…it seems our culture tells women that everything related to your appearance and body can be “tweaked.” There is a drug or procedure for everything…and with AI (lol) you can easily manipulate a photo or video of how clothes look on you. So when everything is treated as malleable, it’s kind of jarring when we are met with the material reality of fabric that cannot be manipulated a certain way!!!
extremely real!!!!!! i think you're absolutely right...particularly in this digitally surreal + easily manipulable moment, it is not often we come up against a hard limit like that to what can and can't be changed to better suit our aesthetic preferences. and honestly i think it's probably extremely good for us to run up against that sometimes! maybe more even!
viv, you are such an incredible storyteller :) no notes!!
thank you nicole this is so sweet <3
This article reminds me I need to find a tailor! Viv is there anyway you could share a gift link to the SF chronicle article? Rn it’s only available to subscribers and I’d love to read it
try using archive.ph—it is a web archiving service and sometimes they have snapshots
At last....a Substack to joyously embrace in these terrible times.....Thank you.
Happy ending for the pale blue silk dress still!!!
passing things to family and friends is a fun part of secondhand shopping :)
wow loooved this read 💖 especially loved the moment when your tailor let you finish rambling, and then said “if you want honest opinion…” ! It takes such a relationship to give and receive that kind of feedback ugh beautiful
Love! Any chance you'd share where we can find Thanh?
Seeing this post one day after spending $90 on a single dress alteration in Oakland (hemming and taking in the chest area). I’m now inspired to shop around and also not be afraid to ask for a tighter fit because I definitely just left it to the tailor’s taste 🥲
I love the relationship and trust you’ve built with your tailor together. 🥹
I am SHOCKED that that's all she charged you! I'm in the Midwest and it cost me $150 for 2 pants taken in, 1 pant hem, 1 dress hem. Protect her at all costs!
Viv— this is so good! I just started a no buy challenge for the month of June… And the first thing I did yesterday was took a bunch of pieces that don’t fit me great anymore to the tailor! Instead of buying new things, why not just get things that don’t fit anymore in a size-space where I can wear them again!