What To Do With an Old Man’s Suit: Upcycle, Donate, Tailor, or Sell
Practical ways to give an old man’s suit a new life: donate, sell, tailor, or upcycle into useful pieces. Easy steps, NZ-friendly tips, and smart project ideas.
moreTailoring Tips: Fit, Fabric, and Flattery for Every Body
When you buy clothes that almost fit, tailoring tips, practical adjustments that transform off-the-rack clothing into something that looks and feels custom-made. Also known as garment alteration, it’s not about spending more—it’s about making what you already own work better for your body. Most people don’t realize how much a few stitches can change how they look and feel. A dress that’s too loose in the waist, jeans that gap at the back, a shirt that bunches at the shoulders—these aren’t flaws in you. They’re just flaws in fit.
Good tailoring, the process of modifying clothing to improve fit, comfort, and appearance isn’t just for formalwear. It’s for everyday pieces. Think about how a simple hem can turn long pants into perfect cropped styles, or how taking in the sides of a blazer makes it look like it was made for you. The best fabric, the material a garment is made from, which affects drape, stretch, and how easily it can be altered for tailoring isn’t always the most expensive—it’s the one that holds its shape. Cotton blends, wool, and structured linens respond well to stitching. Stretchy knits? Those need special tools and skill. And if you’re trying to fix something with too much give, no amount of pins will save it.
It’s not just about size. It’s about proportion. A waist that’s too high or a sleeve that’s too long can throw off your whole silhouette. That’s where seamstress advice, expert guidance on how to adjust clothing for optimal fit and comfort matters. You don’t need to be a pro to ask the right questions. Ask: Can this be taken in without losing the design? Will the pattern match after the change? Is there enough seam allowance? Most tailors will tell you if it’s possible—and if it’s worth the cost.
And don’t ignore the little things. A button moved half an inch, a dart added under the bust, a hem lifted just a centimeter—these are the tweaks that turn "okay" into "love." You’ll notice the difference before anyone else does. You’ll stand taller. You’ll reach without pulling. You’ll feel like you’re wearing something made for you—not just bought for you.
What you’ll find below isn’t theory. It’s real fixes from real people who’ve been there—whether it’s how to hide a tummy pooch without shapewear, why bootcut jeans still work in 2025, or how to choose slippers that actually fit. These aren’t fashion blog fluff. They’re the kind of tips that come from trying, failing, and finally getting it right. You don’t need a big budget. You just need to know where to look—and what to ask for.