Size Up Tailor Shops and Get a Custom Fit by Altering Would-Be Castoffs
You’ve gained weight. Or maybe you’ve lost weight, and even that news doesn’t cheer you because your clothes don’t fit like they used to. Don’t despair.
You don’t need to discard the items, or even go shopping for new ones. What you do need is to find a service that specializes in alterations for a custom fit.
In addition to expert workmanship, it’s advisable to find services that offer the following guarantees:
* Products that insure no shrinkage or damage to fabrics.
* Machinery that is kind toward leather, suede, denim or other temperamental fabrics.
* Insurance protection in case of fire, theft or damage.
* Customer satisfaction; work should be repeated at no extra charge.
* Annual checks from the fire department of the premises, combined with periodic checks by management to guard against faulty equipment.
Here’s a selection of places:
Vince the Tailor
Vincent Codispoti was once a tailor in Italy. For the past 18 years, however, he has taken his skills and applied them to a top-notch tailoring business. He will reconstruct suits ($20-$95) and dresses ($18), update jackets and alter lengths.
He also will work on any type of fabric, including suedes, leathers and knits.
Most of the work takes from a few days to one week.
1870 N. Placentia Ave., Placentia, (714) 993-7940.
Express Alterations
People in need of super quick service and fair prices (nothing exceeds $50 unless the entire garment must be remade) can try Express Alterations.
Hem work ($4-$6), zipper replacements ($6) and sleeve shortening ($12) are done in 30 minutes.
Reconstruction of garments ($30-$35) takes only one day.
The shop also will work on any kind of fabric.
Anaheim Hills Festival Shopping Center, 125 S. Chaparral Court, Anaheim Hills, (714) 282-9454; 2500 E. Imperial Highway, Brea, (714) 990-6630; the Marketplace, 4187 Campus Drive, Irvine, (714) 856-2344 and Tustin Marketplace, 2777 El Camino Real, Tustin, (714) 838-6311.
Accent Cleaners
Accent Cleaners provides a service that includes repairing holes in garments ($5-$10), cleaning beaded items ($25-$35) and repairing new and vintage beaded garments (prices are determined by the amount of work; however, there is no charge for replacing up to 10 beads).
Management also guarantees no fabric shrinkage (which includes leather, suede and beaded items). They use an electric heating system (as opposed to gas ones in most cleaners) that is gentle on the clothing.
3788 S. Bristol St., Santa Ana, (714) 754-4008.
