The (hopefully) definitive thread on NYC tailors

[chorse123]

I've used them to lengthen the sleeves and take in the waist and back of a jacket, and add functioning buttonholes to the sleeves of another. All the work was pretty good, though the shanking on the sleeve buttons could be much better. The shank is very wide, and needs to be redone.

 

[Quirk]

Shanks for the feedback. (Where is that groaning emoticon?)

Anyone else?

 

[grimslade]

Originally Posted by chorse123

I've used them to lengthen the sleeves and take in the waist and back of a jacket, and add functioning buttonholes to the sleeves of another. All the work was pretty good, though the shanking on the sleeve buttons could be much better. The shank is very wide, and needs to be redone.

Are you referring to Cardalino? I need to have sleeves shortened (possibly from the shoulder; the sleeves are basted and have currently non-working but sewn (and possibly cut-) through button holes already.

 

[grimslade]

Originally Posted by chorse123

I've used them to lengthen the sleeves and take in the waist and back of a jacket, and add functioning buttonholes to the sleeves of another. All the work was pretty good, though the shanking on the sleeve buttons could be much better. The shank is very wide, and needs to be redone.

What did Cardalino charge for working button holes?

 

[chorse123]

Originally Posted by grimslade

Are you referring to Cardalino? I need to have sleeves shortened (possibly from the shoulder; the sleeves are basted and have currently non-working but sewn (and possibly cut-) through button holes already.

Yes, I was referring to Cardelino. I think it was $10 per.

 

[grimslade]

Originally Posted by chorse123

Yes, I was referring to Cardelino. I think it was $10 per.


Thanks, chorse.

I just dropped a suit off at Wilfred. We'll see how it goes. I had a bit of a debate with the fitter about the positioning of suspender buttons, so I'm not hopeful everything will be done right the first time. Just for reference for people shopping around:

Sleeve shortening (from the shoulder; the cuffs are basted): $55

Uncuffed pant hemming: $20

Suspender buttons: $15.

I did not ask them to cut working button-holes; I'd like to make sure the sleeves are the right length and that they don't mess anything up before I do so.

 

[chorse123]

Dropped off a suit and trousers at Cardelino today:

Jacket sleeve shortened: $25
Trousers cuffed: $14 each

Pretty good price. Will see how they turn out on Tuesday.

 

[richstyle]

Originally Posted by tgfny

Edited with the groups reccomendations. Please make any suggestions to improve it.

I propose that there are 3 levels of tailors for alterations and would love to know everone's favorite in all categories.

Category 1) "Money is no object, I need my Anderson & Sheppard suit alterred and I don't fly to London commercially now that the Concorde is no more and my G-V is in the shop."
Basically a tailor to whom you could trust anything. Doesn't have to be expensive, but most likely is.

Raphael- recommended by several
Logsdail 9 E 53rd St, New York, 10022 - (212) 752-5030
Corvato 510 Madison Ave, New York, 10022 - (212) 980-4980
Raphael (212) 888-6887

Category 2) Value for money. All-around tailor that provides good value for basic things i.e. can sew button holes, but you might not trust him recutting pants.

Wilfred's 18 W 23rd St, New York, 10010 - (212) 242-3030
Bhambi 14 E 60th St, New York, 10022 - (212) 935-5379
Alexis 242 E 77th St, New York, 10021 - (212) 717-9412
Peppino 780 Lexington Ave, New York, 10021 - (212) 832-3844


Category 3) "I'm not gonna pay a lot for this muffler." Can handle hems, cuffs and the basic things, but the best thing about the alterations is the price.

Central Cleaners on E. 81st St. 212-249-8649 $10 for cuffs or hemming trousers.

Any other suggestions would be appreciated.

Vincent Nicolosi comes highly recommended by author Tom Wolfe. --RT

 

[StockwellDay]

Originally Posted by chorse123

Dropped off a suit and trousers at Cardelino today:

Jacket sleeve shortened: $25
Trousers cuffed: $14 each

Pretty good price. Will see how they turn out on Tuesday.


I'm excited to hear how it turns out. Please report back.

 

[mylesmyles]

i got my suits back from Carelino's and overall they did a good job but there was one thing i was disapointed about. i asked for kissing button holes but he ended up just lining them up - and i paid for working button holes so that was a little disapointing.

i just picked up a Hickey Freeman suit at the Barney's warehouse sale (only $180) so i think i am going to try Wilfred for this suit. does anyone know what he charges for working buttonholes???

 

[edmorel]

Originally Posted by mylesmyles

i got my suits back from Carelino's and overall they did a good job but there was one thing i was disapointed about. i asked for kissing button holes but he ended up just lining them up - and i paid for working button holes so that was a little disapointing.

i just picked up a Hickey Freeman suit at the Barney's warehouse sale (only $180) so i think i am going to try Wilfred for this suit. does anyone know what he charges for working buttonholes???

$20 a sleeve

 

[grimslade]

Originally Posted by edmorel

$20 a sleeve


Make that $40/sleeve. The price list in the changing room gives $80/suit for working buttonholes.

 

[gdl203]

Originally Posted by grimslade

Make that $40/sleeve. The price list in the changing room gives $80/suit for working buttonholes.

I guess it all depends on how many buttons... His price is $10 per button

 

[edmorel]

Originally Posted by gdl203

I guess it all depends on how many buttons... His price is $10 per button


Go figure. I've taken three jackets to them. One had basted sleeves, the other had non-working buttons on the sleeve. I had the sleeves of both jackets shortened, and working button holes added to both (plus swapped out the buttons of the jacket with buttons). Cost was $80 a jacket. I took the third jacket in at a later time, sleeves shortened and jacket already had working button holes, cost $60. All sleeves were done from shoulders.

 

[chorse123]

Originally Posted by StockwellDay

I'm excited to hear how it turns out. Please report back.

Work was done well. Trousers are a great length, and they understood rather quickly that I like mine on the short side. Sleeves are nearly perfect.

I dropped off two jackets today for working buttonholes and a pair of trousers for a hem and taking in the waist. They only charged me $12 for the trousers, which could be because of the two jackets, or because he forgot. Either way, I'm pleased. Will be sticking with Cardelino from now on.