How much does it cost to tailor a shirt? The cost to get a shirt tailored usually runs from about $15 to $40 for simple jobs. More complex changes can cost $50 or more. This includes things like making it fit better, changing the length, or fixing the sleeves. The exact price depends on what you need done and who does the work.
People often buy shirts off the rack. They might like the fabric or the color. But sometimes, the fit is not perfect. Maybe the sleeves are too long. Maybe the body is too wide. This is where tailoring helps. A tailor can change the shirt so it fits you just right. This makes the shirt look much better on you. It feels better too. It can turn a cheap shirt into one that looks expensive. It can make an expensive shirt truly perfect.
Tailoring is a smart choice for many shirts. It can save a shirt you love but that does not fit well. It can make your whole look sharper. Knowing the cost helps you decide if it is worth it for your shirt. This guide will help you figure out typical shirt tailoring prices.
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Things That Change The Cost
Many things affect how much you will pay to have a shirt tailored. It is not just one set price. Different jobs cost different amounts. Also, where you go matters. Let’s look at what makes the price go up or down.
What You Want Done
The type of change you need is the biggest factor.
- Simple jobs: Shortening sleeves or taking in the sides a little are often less costly.
- Harder jobs: Changing the shoulders, slimming a shirt a lot, or working with tricky fabric costs more.
The more work the tailor has to do, the more you will pay.
How Complex The Work Is
Even the same type of job can differ in cost.
- Taking in the sides might be simple. But if the shirt has complex seams or pockets in the way, it takes more skill and time. This adds to the price.
- Shortening sleeves can be easy. But if the sleeves have fancy cuffs or buttons that need moving, it is harder. It will cost more.
The Shirt’s Fabric
Some fabrics are harder to work with than others.
- Cotton is usually easy.
- Silk, satin, or very thin fabrics can be tricky. They can snag or be hard to sew smoothly.
- Heavy or thick fabrics can also be harder to stitch.
Tailors might charge more for these difficult fabrics.
Where The Tailor Is Located
Prices change based on location.
- Tailors in big cities often charge more than those in small towns.
- A fancy tailor shop might cost more than a basic one. You often pay for their skill and the shop’s reputation.
The Tailor’s Skill Level
An experienced tailor might charge more. They have years of practice. They can do complex jobs well. They know how to handle different fabrics. A less experienced tailor might be cheaper. But they might not get the result you want. Sometimes paying more for a good tailor is worth it.
How Fast You Need It
Need your shirt back tomorrow? Many tailors offer rush service. This means they stop other work to do yours fast. Expect to pay extra for this. It can add 50% or even 100% to the price.
Common Shirt Changes and Their Costs
Let’s break down the cost of typical shirt alterations. These are jobs many people ask for.
Making Sleeves Shorter
Is your shirt cuff falling past your hand? This is a common problem. Shortening sleeves is one of the most frequent alterations.
The cost to shorten shirt sleeves depends on the sleeve design.
- Simple sleeves: If the sleeve just needs cutting and re-hemming, it’s easy.
- Sleeves with cuffs: The tailor needs to remove the cuff, cut the sleeve, and reattach the cuff. This is a bit more work.
- Sleeves with buttons or vents: If there is a button placket or vent near the cuff, the tailor needs to adjust that too. This is the most complex and costly.
You can expect the cost to shorten shirt sleeves to range from about $15 to $30. If the sleeve has a complex vent or buttons, it might be closer to $25-$40.
- Removing and reattaching a simple cuff: $20 – $30
- Adjusting a cuff with a vent and button: $25 – $40+
Making The Shirt Body Slimmer
Does your shirt look baggy around your middle? Making a shirt body slimmer is a very common request. This is often called taking in the sides or slimming the fit.
There are two main ways to make a shirt slimmer:
- Taking in the side seams: The tailor stitches further in along the seams under the arms and down the sides. This is a simple way to make the shirt narrower. This is often the method used to slim fit shirt bodies.
- Adding darts: Darts are folds of fabric stitched into the back of the shirt. They pull the fabric in. This makes the shirt fit closer to your back. Darts give a more shaped look. They work well if you need significant shaping.
The price to slim fit shirt bodies depends on which method is used and how much needs taking in.
- Taking in side seams only (simple): $15 – $30
- Adding darts to the back: $20 – $35
- Taking in side seams and maybe some from the armhole (more complex): $25 – $45+
- Significant slimming needing work on sides, armholes, and possibly darts: $40 – $60+
The tailoring shirt waist cost is typically included in the price of taking in the sides or adding darts. If you only need the waist area slimmed and not the whole body, it might be slightly less, but often the tailor will adjust the whole side seam for a smooth line. How much to take in a shirt affects the price; more fabric removed means more work.
Making The Shirt Shorter
Is your shirt tail too long? Do you want to wear it untucked? Shortening the shirt length is another common job.
The tailor shirt length price depends on the shirt’s hem.
- Simple straight hem: The tailor just cuts the bottom and sews a new hem. This is fairly easy.
- Curved hem: Many casual shirts have a curved hem. This is a bit more work to redo smoothly.
- Hem with special details: If the hem has side vents or other features, it takes more time and care to redo them.
Expect the tailor shirt length price to be around $15 to $30 for a simple hem. A curved or detailed hem might cost $20 to $40 or more.
- Shorten a simple straight hem: $15 – $25
- Shorten a curved hem: $20 – $35
- Shorten a hem with side vents: $25 – $40+
Other Shirt Changes
Tailors can do more than just change the length or width. Here are other jobs and their possible costs:
- Narrowing the shoulders: This is a difficult job. It means taking the sleeves off, cutting the shoulder area, and reattaching the sleeves. It changes the structure of the shirt. This is costly, often $40 to $70 or more.
- Changing the collar: This is less common. You might replace a worn collar or change its style. This is also a complex job. Cost can be $30 to $50 or more.
- Adjusting cuffs: If you want the cuff tighter or looser. This is usually part of sleeve shortening but might be a small fee if done alone ($10 – $20).
- Repairing seams or buttons: Simple repairs are usually cheap, maybe $5 – $15.
Average Cost Ranges
Let’s put some of these costs together. This table shows typical shirt alteration fees. Remember, these are estimates. Your local tailor might charge more or less.
| Alteration Type | Typical Cost Range ($) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Shorten Sleeves (Simple) | $15 – $25 | Straight hem, no cuff/vent work |
| Shorten Sleeves (With Cuff) | $20 – $40 | Reattaching/adjusting cuff, potentially vent |
| Slim Body (Side Seams) | $15 – $30 | Basic take-in along sides |
| Slim Body (Add Darts) | $20 – $35 | Adding shaping to the back |
| Slim Body (Complex/Lots) | $30 – $60+ | Significant changes, potentially armholes too |
| Shorten Length (Straight) | $15 – $25 | Simple straight hem |
| Shorten Length (Curved) | $20 – $40 | More complex curved hem or details |
| Narrow Shoulders | $40 – $70+ | Difficult, structural change |
| Basic Repairs | $5 – $15 | Buttons, small seam fixes |
The average cost to tailor a shirt for a single, common alteration like shortening sleeves or taking in the sides is often between $20 and $40. If you need several things done to one shirt, some tailors might give a slight discount. But often you pay for each job. The total cost to get shirt tailored for multiple changes can add up.
Where To Get Shirts Tailored
You have a few options when you need shirt alterations.
- Dedicated Tailor Shop: This is a shop just for tailoring. These tailors are experts in fitting clothes. They can handle simple to complex jobs. They often give the best results. Their prices might be a bit higher.
- Dry Cleaners: Many dry cleaners offer alteration services. This can be convenient. The quality can vary a lot. Some dry cleaners have skilled tailors working for them. Others do only very basic jobs. Dry cleaner shirt alterations cost can sometimes be lower than a dedicated tailor. But for complex work, a specialized tailor is usually better. Ask what they can do and who does the work.
- Department Store Tailoring: Some larger department stores have their own tailoring service. This is often for clothes bought in the store. They might tailor items bought elsewhere too. Prices can vary. The skill level is usually good, especially in high-end stores.
- Local Seamstress: Some people work from home or a small studio. They might offer good service at good prices. Getting recommendations helps here.
When choosing, think about the job you need. For simple things, a good dry cleaner might be fine. For complex changes, find a skilled tailor. Always ask for a price quote before they start.
Why Tailoring Is A Good Idea
Spending money to tailor a shirt might seem like a lot. Why do it?
- Better Fit: This is the main reason. A shirt that fits well looks sharp. It shows off your shape better. It does not look sloppy or baggy.
- More Confidence: When your clothes fit well, you feel better in them. You stand taller.
- Saving Money (Sometimes): If you have a good quality shirt that does not fit perfectly, tailoring it is cheaper than buying a new, well-fitting shirt of the same quality.
- Making Clothes Last: You are more likely to wear a shirt that fits well. Tailoring extends the life of your clothing.
- Personal Style: Tailoring lets you customize clothes. You get exactly the fit you want, not just what the mass market offers.
Think of tailoring as an investment in your wardrobe. It makes your clothes work for you.
Finding A Good Tailor
Choosing the right person for the job is key.
- Ask for Recommendations: Ask friends, family, or co-workers who dress well. They might know a good tailor.
- Read Online Reviews: Look at reviews on sites like Google, Yelp, or local directories. See what others say about the tailor’s skill and service.
- Visit the Shop: Does the shop look clean and professional? Do they seem organized?
- Talk to the Tailor: Tell them what you want done. A good tailor will look at your shirt and your body. They will explain what they will do. They should pin the shirt on you so you can see the planned changes.
- Ask for a Price Quote: Get the cost in writing if it’s a big job. Make sure you understand the shirt alteration fees.
- Start Small: If you are unsure, try them with a simple job first. See how that turns out before giving them a complex or expensive shirt.
A good tailor will listen to you. They will give advice. They will make sure you are happy with the result.
Is It Cheaper To Buy New Or Tailor?
This is a common question. Does it make sense financially?
Let’s say you have a shirt that cost $50. It needs the sleeves shortened ($25) and the sides taken in ($25). Total tailoring cost: $50. Now you have a $50 shirt that fits perfectly.
What if a new shirt that fits perfectly costs $100? In this case, tailoring your $50 shirt for $50 is the same total cost. But you saved the effort of finding a new shirt. And maybe your original shirt was better quality than a $100 shirt that fits off the rack.
What if your shirt cost $20? And it needs $50 of tailoring? You might think it’s better to buy a new shirt. But is a $70 shirt guaranteed to fit well? Maybe not. If the $20 shirt is good quality cotton and tailoring makes it perfect, it could still be worth it.
Consider these points:
- Original shirt quality: Is the shirt well-made? Is the fabric good? Tailoring a quality shirt is a good investment. Tailoring a cheap, poorly made shirt might not be.
- How much tailoring is needed: One small change is cheap. Many big changes add up.
- Cost of a well-fitting new shirt: Can you easily find a new shirt off the rack that fits you perfectly? Or would you likely need to tailor a new one too?
Often, for mid-range to high-end shirts, tailoring is much cheaper than buying a new shirt of the same quality that fits perfectly. Even for cheaper shirts, if the fabric is nice and only one or two simple changes are needed, tailoring can be a smart move.
The average cost to tailor a shirt for common issues is usually less than the price difference between a basic shirt and a premium one. It’s definitely less than a custom-made shirt.
Summing Up Shirt Alteration Fees
Let’s review the typical shirt alteration fees.
- Most simple jobs like shortening sleeves (basic) or taking in sides (basic) are in the $15 to $30 range.
- Jobs with more steps, like sleeves with vents or adding darts, often cost $20 to $40.
- More complex or large changes, like significant slimming or shortening a detailed hem, can be $30 to $50+.
- Difficult work like narrowing shoulders is the most expensive, possibly $40 to $70 or more.
Remember these are ranges. Get a specific quote for your shirt. The final cost to get shirt tailored depends on the tailor’s specific pricing for shirt tailoring prices and the details of your shirt. Dry cleaner shirt alterations cost can sometimes be lower, but quality can vary.
Tailoring is a great way to make your clothes fit and look their best. It is an investment in your appearance and comfort.
Frequently Asked Questions About Shirt Tailoring Costs
Here are some common questions people ask about the cost of tailoring shirts.
h4 Is it expensive to get a shirt tailored?
Compared to the price of a new shirt, simple tailoring is usually not expensive. Basic changes like shortening sleeves or taking in the sides are often $15-$40. More complex jobs cost more. It is often cheaper than buying a new shirt that fits perfectly, especially for good quality shirts.
h4 How much does it cost to shorten the length of a shirt?
The cost to shorten shirt length usually ranges from $15 to $40. It is cheaper for a simple, straight hem ($15-$25). It costs more for a curved hem or if there are side vents ($20-$40+).
h4 What is the average cost to take in the sides of a shirt?
The average cost to take in a shirt along the sides is typically $15 to $30 for simple side seams. If you need darts added for shaping, it might be $20-$35. If a lot needs taking in, or the job is complex, it can go up to $40 or more. This covers tailoring shirt waist cost and the rest of the body width.
h4 How much does it cost to shorten shirt sleeves?
The cost to shorten shirt sleeves is usually between $15 and $40. If the sleeve is very simple, it’s $15-$25. If the tailor needs to remove and reattach a cuff, or handle a vent/buttons, it will be $20-$40 or more.
h4 Are dry cleaner alteration prices cheaper?
Sometimes, dry cleaner shirt alterations cost might be a bit lower than a dedicated tailor shop. But this is not always true. The quality of work can also differ greatly. For simple jobs, a good dry cleaner can be fine. For more complex tailoring, a tailor specializing in alterations is often better.
h4 How much to get a shirt slim fit?
The price to slim fit shirt can vary. If you just need the sides taken in a little, it might be $15-$30. If you need significant slimming or darts added, it could be $25-$50 or more. It depends on how much work is needed to get the fit you want. This includes the tailoring shirt waist cost.
h4 What are typical shirt alteration fees?
Typical shirt alteration fees range from $15-$40 for most common jobs (sleeves, sides, length). More complex jobs (shoulders, major reshaping) can cost $40-$70+. Small repairs are usually $5-$15. The cost depends on the specific work and the tailor’s pricing for shirt tailoring prices.
h4 Is tailoring worth it for cheap shirts?
It depends on the shirt’s quality and how much tailoring it needs. If a cheap shirt has good fabric and only needs a small, inexpensive change (like simple sleeve shortening for $20), it might be worth it. If it needs complex work costing more than the shirt itself, maybe not. But if tailoring makes you wear the shirt and feel good, it might be worth it to you personally.