Ladies’ Bespoke
Welcome to City Tailors services
Bespoke Dresses
Bespoke & Made-to-Measure Dresses
Imagine a dress that fits not just your body, but your personality, your vision, and your moment. At City Tailors, we offer two paths to that perfect gown: Made-to-Measure and True Bespoke. Both are crafted exclusively for you-the difference is in how we begin.
Made-to-Measure: Perfecting a Design
If you have a style in mind-perhaps inspired by a favourite dress, a designer look, or one of our signature silhouettes-our made-to-measure service is for you.
We start with an established base pattern and tailor every detail to your measurements and preferences. It’s personal, precise, and perfected over a series of fittings until the fit is flawless.
True Bespoke: Creating from a Blank Page
For a one-of-a-kind design that exists only in your imagination, our true bespoke service begins with your vision. We draft a unique pattern from scratch, designing every curve, seam, and detail around you.
This is true couture-a collaborative journey from first sketch to final stitch, resulting in a dress that is entirely and uniquely yours.
What We Can Make
- Made-to-measure day and occasion dresses
- Fully bespoke dress design and creation
- Copying your favorite dress
- Evening and formal dresses
- Cocktail dresses and event pieces
- Restyling / redesign of an existing dress
- Fabric sourcing guidance and finishing options
Our Dressmaking Process
Whichever path you choose, you’ll experience the same careful, collaborative process:
- Consultation: We listen to your ideas, lifestyle, and occasion, guiding you on style, fabric, and silhouette.
- Precision Measurements: We capture your exact proportions to ensure a beautiful, balanced fit.
- Toile Fitting: For bespoke gowns, we create a trial version in cotton to perfect the shape and structure before cutting into your chosen fabric.
- Expert Crafting: Your dress is meticulously constructed with expert tailoring and attention to detail.
- Fittings & Refinements: We schedule fittings to refine the fit, comfort, and flow, making adjustments until you are completely delighted.
From concept to completion, your dress is shaped around you-not the other way around.
What to Expect at Your Fitting
Your fitting appointment is relaxed, professional, and focused entirely on you. We begin by discussing your ideas, lifestyle, and where the dress will be worn.
Measurements are taken carefully, and fabrics and design details are reviewed together. During fittings, you’ll be able to see how the dress is shaping on your body, request refinements, and receive honest, expert advice.
Our goal is to ensure you feel confident, comfortable, and delighted with the final result.
We’ll confirm timescales based on complexity and fabric availability.
Typical starting prices
Starting prices include fabric from our standard ranges. If you’d like to use your own fabric, we can - we’ll confirm suitability and adjust the quote accordingly. Final quotes depend on style, construction, and finishing.
| Service | Estimated Price |
|---|---|
|
Made-to-measure day dress |
from £750 |
|
Made-to-measure occasion dress |
from £950 |
|
Made-to-measure evening dress |
from £1,250 |
|
True bespoke dress (pattern drafted from scratch) |
from £1,650 |
|
Remake of a simple existing dress |
from £350 excluding the fabric. |
Available in Bath & Brighton
We offer in-person fittings at both branches. Walk-ins are welcome, but booking is the easiest way to make sure a tailor is ready for an unhurried consultation and fitting.
Brighton (North Street): Wedding suits, business tailoring and sharp modern fits – ideal if you want a suit that looks clean and contemporary.
Bath (Milsom Street): Refined, classic tailoring and finishing – ideal for formal suits and heritage venues.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it bespoke or made-to-measure?
A: Made-to-measure starts from a proven base pattern that we adapt to your measurements and chosen style. Bespoke is drafted from scratch for a one-off design.
We’ll recommend the best route based on the look you want, the fabric, and your timeline.
Do you supply fabric?
A: Yes – our starting prices include fabric from our standard ranges. If you’d like to use your own, we can. We’ll confirm suitability before we start.
Do I need to bring anything to my consultation?
A: You may bring inspiration images, fabric ideas, or shoes and undergarments you plan to wear with the dress.
Can you recreate a dress from a photo?
A: Yes. We can recreate or adapt designs from reference images while tailoring them to suit your body and style.
How long does it take?
A: It depends on complexity and fittings; average is around 8-12 weeks. We’ll agree a schedule at consultation.
How many fittings are included?
A: 3 fittings on average, this can me more depending on the complexity of the design and fabric used.
Can you copy a dress I already own?
A: We can often recreate the style with adjustments. Bring it in and we’ll discuss options.
Book a Made-to-Measure Dress Consultation
Bring inspiration photos (or a favourite dress) and we’ll talk design, fabric, fit, and starting prices.
