Alterations & Repairs
A well-fitted garment is one of the most powerful things you can wear — and at Couture Custom Cleaners, our alterations service exists to make sure every piece you own fits exactly as it should.
Whether you’ve lost weight, gained it, inherited a vintage piece, or simply found the perfect jacket in the wrong size, our tailors assess each garment individually before any work begins. We examine the seam allowances, lining, and construction to determine what’s possible, and we tell you honestly — not just what you want to hear.
Alterations range from straightforward hemming and waist adjustments to complex work like restructuring shoulders, resizing formal gowns, and restoring heirloom pieces that require a more careful, conservative hand. We recommend cleaning your garment before alterations where possible, since uncleaned fabric can shrink slightly during its first professional wash — which would alter the fit of work already completed. For time-sensitive occasions, express turnaround is available; just let us know your event date when you drop off.
Every altered piece is finished to the same standard as when it left the original maker.
Frequently asked Questions
Yes, within the limits of the garment’s construction. Taking clothing in after weight loss is generally more straightforward than letting it out, since the latter depends entirely on how much seam allowance was left during manufacturing. For investment pieces like tailored suits or couture gowns, regular alterations to maintain the correct fit are far more cost-effective than purchasing a replacement — and a well-altered garment looks custom-made
Many vintage pieces can be altered, though they require more care and a more conservative approach than modern garments. Older fabrics can be fragile, seam allowances may have been cut close to the stitching, and original dyes may not be stable. We treat all heirloom and vintage pieces individually and will give you an honest assessment of both the risks and the possibilities before we proceed with any work.
Yes — bring the shoes and undergarments (or shapewear) you intend to wear with the garment on the day of the occasion. The footwear height directly affects hem length, and the undergarments affect how a bodice or waistband sits. Coming in without them, and then wearing different ones for the event, is the most common reason an otherwise perfect alteration doesn’t quite land on the day.
Simple alterations like hemming trousers or taking in a waist can often be completed within a few days. Complex work — such as restructuring a suit jacket, altering a wedding gown, or working on a garment with intricate detailing — requires more time and potentially more than one fitting to get right. For time-sensitive occasions, express services are available; please mention your event date when you drop off.
For most garments, alterations of one to two full sizes in either direction are achievable, depending on the construction and how much seam allowance the manufacturer built in. More significant changes — such as restructuring shoulders, resizing a jacket chest, or resizing a structured gown — may require partial reconstruction. We assess every piece individually and will tell you exactly what’s possible before any work begins.