Alteration prices are not fixed. They vary by garment, by the type of work needed, and by where you are in the country. London pricing tends to sit higher than the national average, for the same reasons that most skilled services cost more in the capital.
That said, clothing alterations remain one of the more reasonable ways to get more from the clothes you already own.
Three things determine what an alteration costs. The first is the complexity of the work. Hemming a pair of casual trousers is a different job from taking in a lined dress with a zip. The more layers involved, the more time it takes.
The second is the fabric. Delicate fabrics — silk, chiffon, fine wool — require slower, more careful handling. They are less forgiving of mistakes. A tailor working on these materials is working more slowly and with more precision, and the price reflects that.
The third is the garment’s construction. A lined jacket takes longer to alter than an unlined one. A dress with boning or structure requires unpicking and reassembling carefully. Simple garments with straightforward seams cost less to alter than complex, structured ones.
Hemming is the most common alteration and tends to be the most affordable. A basic trouser hem on a pair of casual or suit trousers sits at the lower end of the alteration price range.
The price rises if the trousers have a turn-up, since those need to be unpicked and recreated. Lined trousers also take longer. Skirt hems can be quick or very involved depending on whether the skirt has a shaped or circular hem, which requires far more care to maintain the correct drape.
Taking in or letting out a waist — on trousers, a skirt, or a dress — is a moderate-cost alteration. It involves unpicking seams, adjusting the cloth, and re-sewing and pressing. If a zip is involved, the work is more involved still.
Dress taking-in through the side seams is common, particularly for women who find off-the-peg sizing falls awkwardly between their measurements. A simple side-seam adjustment on an unlined dress is manageable in price. The same job on a lined, structured dress takes considerably longer.
Jackets and coats are where alteration costs rise most noticeably. The combination of lining, structure, and the need for precise pressing at every stage makes these the most time-intensive garments to work on.
Shortening a coat sleeve is a different job depending on whether the cuff is plain or has buttons. Suppressing the waist of a jacket involves careful work on multiple seams simultaneously to keep the garment balanced. These are not quick jobs. The price matches the time and skill required.
Checkatrade’sguide to tailoring and alteration costs gives a useful overview of what these services typically cost across the UK, though London prices may sit above the national averages listed there.
Alteration prices in London are generally higher than in other parts of the country. That is not unique to tailoring — it applies across most skilled trades and services. Rent, overheads, and wage levels all play a part.
In central London, especially areas like Angel, Islington, and EC1, you are also close to experienced tailors who work on a wide range of garments. The quality of the work tends to match the pricing.
Ourclothing alterations service covers everything from simple hems to complex garment restructuring. For suit-specific work, oursuit alterations service handles jacket and trouser adjustments to a high standard. Customers who need something built or significantly reworked can also speak to us about ourtailoring service.
The honest answer is: it depends on the garment.
A dress that cost £200 and fits everywhere except the waist is almost always worth altering. A fast-fashion top that cost £15 and has thin seam allowances probably is not. The cost of the alteration needs to make sense relative to the value of the garment.
Beyond cost, there is a practical ceiling on what alterations can achieve. A garment that is too small in the shoulders, or too small overall, may simply not have enough fabric to work with. A tailor can assess this quickly. There is no point paying for work that cannot produce the result you want.
We are on Arlington Way in Angel, EC1R — a few minutes from Angel tube station on the Northern Line. Customers bring garments to us from across Islington, Clerkenwell, and the surrounding EC1 and N1 postcodes. If you are unsure whether an alteration is feasible or worth doing, bring the item in and we will give you a straight answer.
A basic single-leg hem on plain trousers is one of the most affordable alterations available. The price increases if the trousers are lined, have a turn-up, or are made from a delicate fabric. In London, expect to pay slightly above the national average for most alteration work.
Higher overheads — rent, rates, and labour costs — mean that most skilled services cost more in London than elsewhere in the UK. That applies to tailoring just as it does to other trades. The pricing generally reflects a higher standard of work and more experienced practitioners.
Most garments can be altered to some degree, but there are limits. Garments with very narrow seam allowances — often found in cheaper, fast-fashion clothing — leave little room to work with. Structured garments like suits and coats can be altered significantly when properly made. A tailor can assess the possibilities quickly.
Yes. Delicate or specialist fabrics — silk, chiffon, fine wool, velvet — require slower and more careful handling. The tailor works at a different pace to avoid damage, and that additional time is reflected in the price.
Simple alterations like hemming can often be turned around within a few days. More complex work — structural adjustments, relining, significant taking-in — takes longer. Turnaround times also depend on how busy the tailor is. It is always worth asking when you drop the garment off.
