Three Essential Terms You Should Know Before Going To The Tailor

If you’ve never been to a tailor, the process can sound a little intimidating. These terms will help you accurately describe what you want from the tailor and make the experience a little easier for both parties.

Photo by Frank Hebbert.

Tailors can use their judgement and measurements to determine how to make a garment fit better, but it helps them quite a bit if you give them an idea of what needs to be done. Who knows how a garment fits you better than you, right? That’s why Dennis Green at Business Insider suggests that, at the very least, you know this basic tailoring lingo:

1. Let it out: You want more fabric in that area, or for that particular area of the garment to fit looser.
2. Take it in: You want less fabric in that area so it fits closer to the body.
3. Break: How you want your pants to drape over your shoes, specifically when talking about your pant hem and how much extra fabric you’d like there.

With these terms you’ll be able to clearly explain to any tailor what you’re after, and you won’t have to use any abstract descriptions like “it feels uncomfortable” or “it just doesn’t feel quite right.” They will definitely appreciate it. To be thorough, the tailor will also probably ask you questions about other areas of your garments, but they will explain the rest as you go along. You can find more tailor tips at the link below.

4 things every guy should know before going to a tailor for the first time [Business Insider]