How much does tailoring cost in the US?
Post to find a price. It's free and only takes a minute.
Price per completed task
$100 - $3,000
low
$100
median
$900
high
$3,000
Last Updated on
Written by Ana K.
Contributor
Read more about our contributor
Key Takeaways
The average cost of tailoring in the US ranges from $300 to $900 per completed task.
Some factors that can affect pricing include the type of garment to be made, fabric choice, design complexity, and tailor experience.
You can save on costs by booking early, choosing more affordable fabrics, and avoiding unnecessary customizations.
Tailoring is both an art and a science, involving precise measurements, congruous fabric choices, and details that can elevate a look. So there’s the notion that having your clothes tailored can be quite a pricey endeavor. But how much does tailoring cost, really?
In this comprehensive guide, you’ll not only learn the average tailoring fees in the US but also the factors that can greatly affect pricing.
What are the average tailor prices in the US?
Below, you can see the average tailoring rates in the country’s major cities:
City |
How Much Do Tailors Cost? |
|---|---|
New York City (NY) |
$400–$1,200 |
Los Angeles (CA) |
$350–$1,100 |
San Francisco (CA) |
$400–$1,200 |
Chicago (IL) |
$350–$1,100 |
Miami (FL) |
$350–$1,100 |
Dallas (TX) |
$300–$950 |
Houston (TX) |
$275–$900 |
Austin (TX) |
$300–$950 |
Atlanta (GA) |
$275–$850 |
Phoenix (AZ) |
$275–$900 |
Las Vegas (NV) |
$250–$800 |
Seattle (WA) |
$350–$1,100 |
What factors affect the prices for tailoring?
Here are the major factors that can influence tailoring costs and that you should keep in mind when budgeting for the service:
Type of tailored garment
Close-up of wedding dress tailoring with embroidered lace details (Source: iStock)Tailor pricing is generally higher for intricate clothing due to the labor, skills, and time involved. This is why making men’s suits and women’s eveningwear, which typically require more expertise and techniques, is pricier than tailoring basic dress shirts and skirts.
Garment |
How Much Is Tailoring? |
|---|---|
Custom shirt or simple top |
$100–$250 |
Tailored trousers or skirt |
$125–$300 |
Custom dress or jumpsuit |
$200–$500 |
Two-piece suit or blazer |
$400–$1,000 |
Three-piece suit or structured coat |
$650–$1,500+ |
Bridalwear, eveningwear, or formalwear |
$800–$2,500+ |
Bespoke vs. made-to-measure service
What’s the difference between bespoke and made-to-measure tailoring? While made-to-measure garments are based on existing patterns that are modified to fit the wearer, bespoke clothes are drafted from scratch and involve more fittings and customization.
Consequently, bespoke tailoring costs typically fall within a higher range, especially for formalwear and multi-piece suits, which look better with perfectly fitting jacket sleeves, collars, and pant inseams.
Service |
How Much Do Tailors Cost? |
|---|---|
Made-to-measure shirt or simple garment |
$100–$275 |
Made-to-measure trousers, skirt, or dress |
$150–$450 |
Made-to-measure two-piece suit |
$500–$1,200 |
Made-to-measure three-piece suit or coat |
$800–$1,800+ |
Bespoke shirt, trousers, or dress |
$350–$900 |
Bespoke suit, coat, bridalwear, or formalwear |
$1,000–$3,000+ |
Fabric choice
Tailor reviewing fabric swatches for custom garment selection (Source: iStock)Your fabric type choice for your tailored garment can greatly affect its cost. For instance, Harris Tweed wool, silk, and embroidered fabric are definitely more expensive than cotton-wool blends, linen, or polyester due to differences in quality and production costs.
Fabric Choice |
Impact on How Much Are Tailors |
|---|---|
Standard cotton, polyester, or blended fabric |
$100–$275 |
Linen, denim, or everyday wool blend |
$150–$450 |
Premium wool, suiting fabric, or structured woven fabric |
$350–$1,000 |
Silk, satin, chiffon, velvet, or lace |
$400–$1,300+ |
Cashmere, leather, designer fabric, or imported fabric |
$700–$2,000+ |
Beaded, sequinned, embroidered, or embellished fabric |
$900–$3,000+ |
Design complexity
The more complex a garment’s design is, the more time-consuming, labor-intensive, and expensive it will be. This is why the tailoring costs for a custom-made bridal gown (whose creation may involve hours spent on sketching, drafting, draping, sewing, beading, and boning) are way higher than the fees for a dress with minimal details.
Design |
Typical Cost of Tailoring |
|---|---|
Simple tailored garment with minimal detailing |
$100–$275 |
Garment with standard darts, seams, buttons, or pockets |
$150–$450 |
Lined garment or structured fit |
$350–$900 |
Suit jacket, coat, or dress with lapels, vents, pleats, or panels |
$600–$1,500+ |
Multi-piece outfit, bridalwear, or formalwear |
$900–$2,500+ |
Custom design with embroidery, beading, boning, hand finishing, or specialist detailing |
$1,200–$3,000+ |
Measurements and fittings
Having several sessions of measurements and fittings can add up to the total cost of tailoring. This is why you should expect to pay higher fees for suits and formalwear, since body measurements should be precise and several fittings are necessary.
Tailor experience or specialization
How much does a tailor cost based on their technical skills and experience? Well-established tailors specializing in a particular type of garment usually command higher fees, especially if they are sought after by many people. This is why expert suit tailors from another city or country who organize bespoke trunk shows can charge steep fees for the services and products they can offer.
On the other hand, newbies in the field whose craftsmanship is not as honed usually have affordable rates.
Additional services
Many tailors who offer same-day or rush services may impose extra fees or special express tailor prices. This is because they may have to adjust their schedule or work overtime to accommodate urgent requests.
Monogramming, embroidery, at-home fitting, pressing, and delivery, as well as extra labor in the form of inclusive repair and alterations, are additional services that can increase the cost.
What are some ways to save on tailoring charges?
Tailoring workspace with sewing machine, tape measure, and calculator (Source: iStock)Here are some steps you can take if you want tailoring to be as cost-effective as possible:
Ask various tailors for free quotes and compare their rates to gauge the average cost of the service in your area.
Book early to avoid rush fees.
Opt for a made-to-measure garment instead of a bespoke piece.
Choose more affordable fabrics.
Avoid too many unnecessary customizations.
What should you look for in a professional tailor?
Here are some questions to ask if you’re in search of a good tailor:
Do they specialize in the type of clothing you want to be made?
How long have they been working as a tailor?
Does their portfolio of past work demonstrate excellent craftsmanship and skill?
Do they have great reviews from their past clients?
How long will it take them to finish your tailored garment?
Achieve your dream outfits with Airtasker
Suit fitting with measuring tape in a tailoring studio (Source: iStock)If you’re looking for tailors near you, why not go on Airtasker to make the process smooth and swift?
Simply sign up on the platform and click the blue “Post a task” button to get started. Don’t forget to indicate the kind of garment you want made and other important details, including your budget and location. After you post a task, wait for expert tailors to reach out to you, and then you can begin asking for quotes and negotiating rates.
Do you also have damaged coats, dresses, or pants that need to be fixed? You can find clothing repair experts on Airtasker as well.
Learn more about our contributors
Written by Ana K.
Contributor
Ana always puts a premium on accuracy, clarity, and style when writing—a practice that her English degree has instilled in her. She excels at covering topics related to pet care, home and interior design, and food, which count among her varied interests. She also enjoys nature and street photography, as well as travelling. Overall, Ana uses her love for research to engage Airtasker readers with fun, practical content.
FAQs
The process of alteration refers to a seamstress making limited changes to a finished garment. Some alterations include releasing the original hem to lengthen sleeves, adjusting the jacket waist, and shortening dress straps.
Meanwhile, tailoring means creating custom or bespoke clothes from scratch, particularly suits and other formal attire. Due to these differences, alterations cost less than tailoring services.
Depending on the complexity of the job, customizations included, and other factors, tailoring can take anywhere from two weeks to several months. This timeline typically includes consultations, fittings, and adjustments.
Don’t forget to bring the layers, undergarments, and shoes you intend to wear with your tailored clothing to ensure a better overall fit. This can also help avoid the need to shorten sleeves, adjust shoulder pads, or perform other alteration work. It’s also wise to show your pegs and inspiration, as well as pieces of clothing that fit you perfectly, as references.
Find tailors, fast
Post a task
Related price guides
Related articles
