Can’t-miss Tips to Nail the Perfect Fit at Your Alterations Appointment

November 30, 2025

There’s always that hesitation when you're standing in front of a seamstress. You want to speak up, but you’re not quite sure what to ask for. You glance at the mirror, adjust a strap, and hope you’re making the right judgment call. But tailoring works best when you’re confident enough to engage in the process.

Alterations are most successful when you’re prepared with the right items, clear about your preferences, and willing to test the fit in natural movement. Seamstresses can guide you, but your feedback shapes the final look. And being intentionally engaged makes the whole process smoother.

This blog helps you understand the small but important details that make an alterations appointment successful.

Try Sitting, Standing, and Moving During the Fitting

A garment may look flawless when you’re standing still, but that doesn’t guarantee it will feel good once you start moving. Clothes shift, fabric loosens or tightens, and certain seams behave differently when you sit, reach, or bend.

This is why movement tests are a critical part of any alterations appointment, especially for pieces you’ll wear to events, long workdays, or anything involving lots of activity. Taking a few extra minutes to move around helps catch issues that aren’t visible in a mirror. You’ll be able to spot discomfort before it becomes a problem.

Movement Checks to Try While Being Fitted

Here’s how to test a garment’s fit the right way during your appointment.

Sit down in the garment. This helps reveal tight waistbands, pulling across the hips, or bunching in the thighs that don’t show up when standing.
Walk a short distance. Subtle shifting becomes obvious when you move, especially for dresses, skirts, and tapered pants.
Raise and extend your arms. Jackets, blouses, and gowns often show hidden restrictions through the shoulders or upper arms.
Do a few natural motions. If you’ll be dancing, presenting, or carrying things, mimic those movements for a more realistic test.

A fit that works for both stillness and motion is the hallmark of a truly well-done alteration.

Bring the Right Shoes and Undergarments

Walking into a fitting with the wrong shoes or undergarments is one of the easiest ways to end up with a hem or silhouette that feels “off” once the garment is finished. Your foundation pieces, whether it’s shapewear, a strapless bra, or dress shoes, change how the clothing sits on your body.

They influence posture, length, and even how snug certain parts of the garment feel. When you show up prepared, your tailor can work from an accurate baseline instead of making guesses.

How to Prepare Your Outfit

With that in mind, here’s what to bring so your fitting stays precise from the very first pinning.

Wear or bring the exact shoes you’ll use with the outfit. Even a half-inch heel difference can completely change a hemline, especially for gowns, trousers, or jumpsuits.
Bring the undergarments you’ll actually wear with the piece. Shapewear, sports bras, strapless bras, and compression garments all sculpt your body differently, which affects where seams should lie.
Layer thoughtfully. If you’re fitting a suit jacket or blazer, wear a dress shirt underneath, just like you would on the actual day.

Avoid bulky layers during your fitting. Heavy sweaters or thick socks can skew how close the garment sits to your body.

Know How Fitted You Want the Garment

Two people use a measuring tape to measure the waist of a dark-colored suit jacket on a mannequin.

Every person has their own idea of what “good fit” means. Some prefer a sharp, tailored look while others go for something more relaxed. Before your appointment, it helps to think through your comfort level, how you plan to wear the piece, and what kind of silhouette works best for your body.

This gives your tailor a clear direction so you don’t waste time guessing or making unnecessary adjustments. When you understand your style preferences, the whole alteration experience becomes much smoother.

How to Decide on Your Ideal Fit

Think about where you’ll be wearing the garment. Workwear usually calls for cleaner, more structured lines, while weekend or casual pieces can handle a little breathing room.
Look at past outfits you loved. Notice whether they were slim-cut, relaxed, sharply tailored, or somewhere in the middle. Past favorites are great clues to your preferred fit.
Consider your mobility needs. If you’re sitting at a desk, dancing at a wedding, or traveling, comfort plays a bigger role than you might expect.
Decide how much shape you want. A slightly tapered waist, trimmed sleeves, or a subtle narrowing through the leg can make a big difference without feeling tight.

When you show up with a clear vision, your tailor can deliver a silhouette that feels made just for you.

Communicate Clearly with Your Seamstress

Tailors and seamstresses are incredibly skilled, but they still need your input to understand your goals. The more clearly you explain what feels right, or what doesn’t, the easier it is for them to get the garment where you want it.

Good communication saves time, reduces unnecessary adjustments, and ensures the final result actually matches your expectations. Think of your seamstress as a partner in the process rather than someone who just pins fabric.

How to Share the Right Details During Your Fitting

Use directional language. Say things like “too loose in the waist,” “a little long in the sleeves,” or “pulling across the chest” to give your seamstress something specific to work with.
Show with your hands. If words feel clunky, gently pinch the extra fabric to demonstrate how much you’d like taken in, or let out.
Bring photos of the fit you want. Tailors love reference images. They instantly clarify the style and structure you're aiming for.
Speak up early. If something feels off, say it during the fitting, not after you’ve taken the garment home.

A few honest, specific comments can turn a basic alteration into a perfect customized fit.

Get the Fit You’ve Always Wanted – Call McLendon Cleaners for All Your Alteration Needs!

Whether it's your first or fifth alteration appointment with McLendon Cleaners, you’ll always get expert attention from professionals who know how to work with every fabric, silhouette, and style.

We guide you through the fitting, offer recommendations, and fine-tune every detail until it feels perfect on your body. You don’t have to guess what needs adjusting – that’s exactly what we’re here for. Your job is simply to show up and try it on.

For nearly eight decades, McLendon Cleaners has served Longview and nearby communities with a wide range of garment care services, including dry cleaning, laundry, and yes, Alteration and Repair Service, too.

Family owned by Trent Tutt, we’re proud of our craftsmanship, consistency, and neighborly service. With a state-of-the-art workshop and over 125 years of combined experience, we take pride in restoring every piece to its best condition.

📞 Call us: (903) 575-7282

📍 Visit us: 2817 Gilmer Road, Longview, Texas, 75604 | 1410 Judson Road, Longview, Texas, 75601 | 1001 Stone Road, Kilgore, Texas, 75662

✉️ Email: care@mclendoncleaners.com

McLendon Cleaners – helping you look and feel your best since 1945.

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