How we work
How we Work
How we Work at City Tailors
Thinking about coming in for alterations, repairs, or bespoke tailoring? Here’s exactly what happens, from your first thought of “I need this adjusted” to collecting your finished garment.
We’re an in-store tailoring service in Bath and Brighton, and all work is completed in-house with careful craftsmanship and attention to detail.
Alterations & Repairs — In Store
Step 1: Book Your Visit (Appointments Recommended, Walk-Ins Welcome)
Appointments are recommended so we can give you proper time in the fitting room, especially for suits, dresses, wedding dresses, structured items, and formalwear.
That said, walk-ins are welcome at any time.
If you’re on a deadline, let us know when booking or when you arrive. Same- day/express options are available for many jobs (subject to workload and the type of work required).
Step 2: Bring Your Garment In
Bring the item(s) you’d like altered or repaired to the studio.
For the most accurate fitting, it helps to bring anything that affects how the
garment sits, such as:
- Shoes (for hems)
- The shirt you’ll wear under a jacket
- Undergarments/shapewear for dresses, formalwear, and wedding dresses
If you’re unsure, bring the full outfit, we’ll guide you.
Step 3: Fitting & Pinning With a Tailor
This is the most important step.
We’ll listen to what you want, and we’ll also advise you on what needs altering based on how the garment sits on your body, so the result looks natural, balanced, and comfortable.
We’ll assess the garment’s construction and then pin and mark the changes on you, considering:
- Shape and silhouette
- Balance and proportions
- Comfort and movement
- The best finish for your fabric and style
Step 4: Confirm the Work, Price & Timeframe
Once we’ve agreed the adjustments, we’ll confirm:
- Exactly what will be done
- A clear price
- A realistic completion date
If you need a faster turnaround, we’ll tell you what’s possible and recommend the best route (standard vs express) for your garment.
Step 5: Expert In-House Alterations & Repairs
Your garment is then passed to our in-house team to complete the work with precision and care, whether it’s a simple hem, reshaping, resizing, re-lining, or an invisible repair.
Step 6: Final Check (and Forward Fitting When Needed)
Before your garment is signed off, we do a final quality check for finishing, measurements, symmetry, and overall drape.
For more complex alterations (formalwear, structured tailoring, and bridal- level precision), we may recommend a forward fitting (an additional fitting) to refine the fit before the final finish, so everything sits perfectly.
Step 7: Collection
Once ready, you’ll collect your garment from the studio, finished, pressed, and ready to wear with confidence.
Bespoke Tailoring (Made-to-Measure & Bespoke)
Looking for something beyond alterations, such as a custom suit, coat, or a fully tailored piece? We offer Made-to-Measure and Bespoke tailoring.
Bespoke typically includes:
- Consultation (style, fabric, purpose)
- Detailed measurements and tailoring plan
- One or more fittings to refine the shape and comfort
- Final finishing and delivery
