It depends on what needs doing. A simple trouser hem costs significantly less than a jacket relining. And London prices run higher than the rest of the UK.
Here’s a realistic breakdown of what to expect — and what drives the variation.
The alteration type is the biggest variable. Simple hemming and taking in a seam are straightforward jobs that take relatively little time. Structural work — moving a button stance, adjusting the jacket chest, relining — is more complex and priced accordingly.
The suit itself matters too. A suit in a standard fabric with accessible construction is easier to work on than one in a delicate or unusual material. Canvas construction — found in better quality suits — requires more careful handling than fused construction. Tailors price for the skill and time the specific garment requires, not a flat rate for all suits.
The extent of the work matters. Taking in trousers slightly at the waist is different from taking them in significantly, restructuring the seat, and re-tapering the leg. One alteration can cover several adjustments in the same job — or each can be priced separately depending on the tailor.
Savile Row Bespoke — the association representing London’s most established tailoring houses — consistently emphasises that alteration pricing reflects the skill of the craftsperson, not just the time. A tailor who knows how a suit should fit and has the experience to achieve it is worth more than one who technically completes the job.
Trouser hemming is one of the most frequent alterations. It’s a straightforward job on most trousers. At Angelz, trouser hemming is priced at £8.99. Quick turnaround, clean result.
Jacket sleeve shortening is more involved — the sleeve needs to be taken apart at the cuff, shortened, and reattached with the original button detail preserved. Our price for this is £44.99.
Zip replacement varies by garment and zip type. At Angelz, zip replacement ranges from £14.99 to £29.99 depending on the complexity.
Full jacket relining — replacing the entire lining of a jacket — is one of the more substantial alterations. At Angelz this is £65.00 for a standard lining, £80.00 for silk. It extends the life of a quality jacket considerably.
Wedding dress alteration and fitting is £65.00. These jobs require careful handling and a measured approach — we cover that in detail on ourtailoring page.
Full pricing across all alteration types is on ourprices page.
The same factors that push dry cleaning prices up in London apply to tailoring. Higher rent, higher business rates, higher labour costs. A tailor operating on Arlington Way in Angel EC1R carries significantly higher overheads than one in a smaller town.
The other factor is skill. London concentrates a higher density of experienced tailors than most parts of the UK. Experienced tailors charge more — and for complex work on a quality suit, they’re worth it.
Almost always — when the suit is worth keeping.
The alternative to altering an ill-fitting suit is either wearing it badly or replacing it. A suit that fits well looks considerably better than a suit that doesn’t, regardless of how much it cost. And the cost of an alteration is a fraction of the cost of buying a replacement.
Off-the-rack suits rarely fit perfectly. They’re made to standard measurements that approximate the average. Most people’s bodies don’t match that average precisely. Trouser break too long, jacket sleeves too short, waist too loose — these are common. They’re also fixable.
Bring the suit to us at Arlington Way and we’ll assess what needs doing and quote before starting any work. Ourtailor in Angel handles everything from simple hems to structural jacket work. Walk-ins welcome.
It varies by alteration type. Simple trouser hemming costs significantly less than structural jacket work or relining. Our prices are listed on ourprices page — no quotes given after the fact, everything agreed before work starts.
Trouser hemming is the most frequent job we see. Off-the-rack trousers are almost always too long for most people. It’s a quick, affordable alteration that makes an immediate difference to how a suit looks.
Yes. Most off-the-rack suits benefit from at least minor alteration. Trouser length, jacket sleeve length, and waist suppression are the most common adjustments. For more significant fitting issues, a tailor will advise what’s possible before work begins.
Simple alterations like trouser hemming can often be turned around in a few days. More complex work — relining, structural adjustments — takes longer. We give you a realistic timeframe at drop-off. If you have a deadline, tell us and we’ll work backwards from it.
If you’re actively losing weight, it makes sense to wait until your size has stabilised before investing in alterations. A suit altered to a weight you move away from in a few months will need re-altering. If your weight is stable, alter it now.
