Custom Clothing vs Retail

Custom Clothing vs Retail

Hey guys! Today’s post can be a touchy one but I hope it sheds some light on a conversation I have all the time.

Custom Clothing vs Retail. There is a really big difference that you may not be aware of and I want to make sure you are informed.  I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments. 

I have been sewing for a little over 10 years and I’ve had my custom sewing /design business for 3 years and one of the things I hear all the time:

WHY IS IT SO EXPENSIVE TO HAVE SOMETHING CUSTOM MADE FOR ME? 

Mainly because it’s time consuming and every single item is made by hand. Nothing that I make for my clients are mass produced in a factory in China or overseas somewhere. They are made right here in Birmingham, Alabama. There is so much time that goes into it. In factories there are hundreds of people working on items. While it may take them an hour to make 7 dresses, it will take me days or even weeks to make one depending on the details. EEEKKK can you imagine?

In manufacturing plants, they can purchase thousands upon thousands of sewing notions. Buttons, zippers, thread, fabric etc. Sure there are some things that I purchase in bulk. Things that I use ALL the time. Certain color thread, certain color zippers, sewing machine needles…you get the drift. But while these manufacturing plants are literally paying less than 5¢ for all of these notions and can buy 10,000 yards of fabric for little or nothing, that is not my testimony. That’s why certain stores can sell trendy items for $20, $30, or $40. It’s all mass produced. Everything I make is unique and I’m normally only making one unless it’s a popular item and even then everyone doesn’t want the same color fabric. That’s a really big reason why I don’t keep fabric in house.

When a client comes into my office, I take a full set of measurements. A COMPLETE SET.   We talk about their style, what type of garments they like or don’t like, we also talk about WHY they don’t like certain items. Then based on their shape we talk about what style will look good on them. My clients come to me with ideas of what they want. They all have great ideas for beautiful garments but sometimes what they want won’t look good on them. Just because you want something made specifically for you doesn’t mean it will look good on you. Every style isn’t meant for every BODY (shape).

I want all of my clients to look and feel like a million bucks. When you put on something that has been specifically made for you it just does something for your confidence. It makes you happy and you feel good. When you look good you feel good. That’s a fact lol.

Custom items are made to YOUR measurements and no one else can wear it. It also gives you a uniqueness. You won’t see yourself coming. In department stores and boutiques there are literally racks and racks of the same items. There are different sizes but how often do you see something that you want, select your size, try it on and it STILL doesn’t fit right? Lawd and don’t just buy it and not try it on. You will get home and be so disappointed lol. I’ve done that so many times lol.  I make 90% of my clothing and I STILL love to shop. There are just certain things I don’t buy simply because I don’t like the way they fit and I know I can tailor something to my body. That is the service that I offer to you.

I hope this has been informative and shed some light on why custom clothing can be a little more expensive than what’s in department stores.

Adrienne