I’m usually between sizes: my waist and hips never belong to the same size (hips are an S, waist an M).
I found leggings I like for $40. Most other leggings I tried look strange, are offered only in strange colors, have too much fabric or are too long. The leggings I bought are plain black sport leggings with no tacky decorations or huge logos, but for the price you already know these ain’t premium leggings, just normal sportwear (not that I need anything from under armour or nike).
This size S sits perfect on my hips but it’s a bit tight on my waist. Widening the waist by 1.2 in (3 cm) on each side will cost me $20. I don’t know if I’m being an idiot for paying 50% of the value in altering the piece. A size M won’t look as good, too much fabric behind my buttocks, but the waist sits good.
Is there a minimum amount below which you refuse to pay for altering clothing?
Leggings for pilates, running, stretching, going to work and lounging.
I buy most of my clothing from clearance racks for less than 10 bucks per item. I usually have to shorten pants a few inches as I’m short in the legs and long in the torso. I do it myself because investing cash into alterations on a cheap pair of pants isn’t worth it to me.
how much I’ll wear it and how much I like the clothing is more important to me when considering alteration than the original price.
your decision makes sense to me. I do tend to make most of the alterations myself.
Yep, this. Cost-per-wear is a great metric. If it’s a wardrobe staple, it fits well, and the quality is high, you’re going to wear it more often and the cost-per-wear will decrease. Better to spend the extra $20 on a pair of leggings that you’ll wear 60+ times (<$1 CPW) vs spending $40 on an ill-fitting pair that you only wear a few times ($20 CPW).
I’ve bought items at Walmart that probably ran $40 per wear and items from higher end ethical brands that cost me less than $1 per wear.
I’ve bought items at Walmart that probably ran $40 per wear and items from higher end ethical brands that cost me less than $1 per wear.
I’m also unsure because these are H&M Leggings from their sculptmove line and this is the first time I buy something from them. It feels sturdy but I wouldn’t want to alter something that’s gonna break after a few uses. Lululemon would be the higher end brand, but I’m not sure I should pay $110 for a pair of their aligns.
You could learn how to alter leggings with a needle, thread and some elastic.
You could also acquire a sewing machine, or a serger is even better for stretchy knit fabrics, but it’s probably not worth it for 1 or 2 pieces.
Most women’s bodies aren’t standard misses or even curvy/plus sizes, so you’d be following a grand tradition of altering store bought clothes!
I didn’t know that paying to alter clothing was even an option.
I helped out at my wife’s family dry cleaners for a while and we would arrange a fair amount of tailoring. Most was zipper replacement, hemming men’s slacks, taking in or letting out suits, and fitting prom/wedding/other dresses for length, bust support, and whatever else.
There’s no reason any piece of clothing couldn’t be tailored so it fits you in a way that is more flattering or comfortable. Usually it’s just the price if you are unable to do it yourself. But that is why many people still learn sewing on their own. Even if you aren’t making items from scratch, learning how to pull a seam and redo it in the same or a slightly different place can be an incredibly valuable skill.
Shoe and purse repair is also still very much a thing, though you will have to wait and pay more than in the past since that does seem to be a dying field, sadly. Those that are still in it are in high demand.
Depends on how long you expect it to last, and how much you want it to last. Some cheap clothes keep reasonably long, some start falling apart or getting those ugly knots after a couple times of washing. I’m the type who would even pay extra to not have any logos or tacky decorations, so I’d definitely consider having a cheap piece altered (though I generally only go for shorter legs/sleeves, which is much cheaper than waists).
Lululemons are way more than $60. Pay whatever is in your budget.
