It happens every year. You pull out the dress or the suit you wore two Decembers ago, and it is a little long, a little loose, or a little tight. The party is two weeks away, and you assume a quick fix is a quick turnaround.
Alterations are one of the things that take longer than people expect, and the holidays make it worse. Here is how long they take, so you can plan around the date you need the outfit.
How Long Alterations Take
Here are the times to plan around:
- Standard alterations: 5 to 7 business days.
- More complicated alterations and dresses: 7 to 10 business days.
Those are business days, so weekends do not count, and a holiday week has fewer working days than the calendar suggests.
If It Also Needs Cleaning, Add the Time Together
Most holiday outfits that need altering also need cleaning, especially if they have been in storage. The two steps happen one after the other, so the times add up. A dress that needs cleaning and a more complicated alteration can easily take two weeks or more from drop-off to pickup.
If you are not sure what your outfit needs, bring it in and ask. We will tell you what is realistic before you commit.
What to Bring and What to Tell Us
- Wear or bring the shoes you plan to wear, especially for hems.
- Tell us the event date, not just the day you would like it back.
- Point out what bothers you about the fit, such as the length, the waist, or the shoulders.
- Bring the full outfit if it is a suit or a set, so everything is fitted together.
For a deeper look at what a tailor can and cannot do, see our honest guide to what can and cannot be fixed.
A Simple Drop-Off Plan
- Simple hem or small adjustment: drop off at least two weeks before the event.
- Dresses and more complicated work: drop off three weeks ahead if you can.
- Needs cleaning first: add a week.
- Date is already close: call before you come in. We will tell you honestly whether it can be done in time.
Our hours shift around the holidays, so call ahead during Thanksgiving week and the last weeks of December.
When to Let Us Handle It
If an outfit does not fit the way it did last year, the best time to bring it in is now, not the week of the party. We will look at it with you and give you an honest timeline, including when something is better left alone.
Schedule a pickup or sign up for Vogue Valet today and enjoy expertly cared-for clothes without the hassle.
