Tailor "HORROR"

Atleast once, at one time or another we have all had that horrifying moment with our tailors and in some cases various tailors whereby he/she din't just get the style, before we finally meet the 'perfect' tailor. And some of you are still having the 'tailor' problem. It may have been the dress for an important occasion the tailor ruined that annoyed you and made you feel like even ripping the dress in half. Some have even rejected such 'ruined' garments and left in annoyance. Long before i learnt to sew i have  experienced every of these situations and i understand perfectly how horrific it could be. Because of such cases, i have a friend that doesn't patronise any tailors because of past experiences and she is very contented with ready to wear garments, absolutely nothing can change her mind.

 

This problem could result from any of this two causes or both:

 

i. The tailor isn't just good: Learning they say is a continous process, but many of our older "local"tailors don't add to their knowledge as time passes and changes occur. Local in quote because am referring to the normal tailors we have all around us not the big name fashion designers (ok i guess i will have to write on this later). So as i was saying, many of them are still stuck on the styles that were when they learnt the skill, hence when we bring newer styles to be sewn, they sew it well, but there's always something wrong somewhere and the garment isn't just right, not looking now and having that grandma look about it .

This doesn't mean all older tailors aren't good, but just the stubborn few that refuse the latest trends and are better suited to sew for clients of their age group. Then we also have the younger tailors that aren't good too, either because they aren't skilled in the business, but economy or family forced them into it or they weren't good students at the time of learning. To cut the long story short, sometimes the tailor ain't just good.

Solution: When you meet the tailor please be very observant, a tailor that knows what he/she is doing listens carefully to your style description and ask questions to have better understanding, is very confident and uses fashion terms like neck-line instead of neck or sleeve instead of hand (ok not all though, but you know what i mean). Most times our instincts also helps, if u feel you ain't comfortable just kindly leave, you know what you want so get what you want.

 

ii. The style isn't for you: Many atimes we see a nice style on a friend, in a magazine or even on a stranger that we instantly fall in love with cos of how it fits and looks nice. But yet we go to the same tailor that made it and it just doesn't fit us? This is because that style is not flattering for our body type. We have different body shapes and even garments have their shapes too (this i will discuss in a later post). I remember when i was undergoing my NYSC program which is not long ago in cross river state, i was sewing at a lady's shop at my free times and something happend one day.

 

A lady walked in with her boyfriend and said she was directed to our place cos word has it that we sewed very well and all that, so she wanted to try us but that she had no style in mind and would love to go through the magazines we had. Eventually, she choose a style and showed it to her boyfriend smiling and asked "do you like it?"but squeezing his face he said "nah, not for you" and he kept on shaking his head. OK yes she felt embarrased sort of, but sincerly he was being plain truthful. The lady happens to be on the heavy side, she had really large hips, wide mid-rib and an equally large bust. Itwas a dress with puff sleeves, bulbed from the waist ending inches above the knee. Somewhat like the dress below, but a fuller bulb and the sleeves. So we gently cajoled her (so she doesn't think we are mocking her size, although she kept on scowling at her bf) into choosing anoda style that was better suited for her, cos trust me she woulda ended up looking like a big round giant ball in that dress, big hips, calve and all.

 

 

 

The dress was beautiful on the wearer in the magazine but if she had insisted on the style, the result woulda being awful on her and she would in turn blame the tailor for making such a bad dress.

 

Solution: Study you body shape, find out your flaws and your assets, wear garments that hides your flaws and draws attention to your assets.  You can define your style by picking out those outfits in your wardrobe that garners alot of compliments when you wear them, try them on, take note of the structure, the lines, the decorative parts, how it fits, where it covers, what part is open, what part is full or slim and so on. This will help you come to a conclusion about what fits you best. Another thing, when you see a style you like, please take time know if it will fit you before making any descisions.

I am sure when you read my next post, you would have a better understanding of dress shapes as well as body shapes. Understanding these things helps you make wise choices. And please take it easy on tailors they also humans.

 

 It is very essential for every individual to define their style so that you are not caught up in the up and downs of fashion fads or changes. Fad is a short-lived fashion, fashion that doesn't have the value to stay long in the fashion market.

 

#Fashion tip: Wearing proper under garments gives your outfit a better fit and you a stronger

                       confidence. By proper, I  mean, right size and of good quality. Buying quality of the

                       garment you wear closest to your skin shouldn't be a task, should it?