I have entrusted my tailoring to Armando for the past 15 years, and he is absolutely the best. From the simple to the more complex, he knows tailoring, and it is no surprise, as it runs in his blood. His father was a master tailor and had all three of his sons working in the family business from an early age. Armando has hemmed pretty much every pair of pants I own; he has shortened the sleeves of my Blazers; he has repaired ripped clothing; he is a genius and a very nice man. As an added bonus, he has one of the best collections of vinyl in Marin County, so you will always be greeted by his smile and beautiful music. Thank you, Armando, for everything. read more

Armando's work is always high quality, a good value, and he provides the work when promised.

Armando is amazing. He's so kind. He's work is excellent . There was a quick turn around. I could not recommend him more for your alterations. I'm lucky I found him. Thank you Armando! read more

I'm not saying Armando lacks skill, he clearly knows his craft, but he's stubborn, dismissive, and overly opinionated. If you find yourself going back and forth with him about what you want, take it as a red flag and save yourself the frustration. A good tailor listens. Based on other one-star reviews here, it seems like I'm not alone, he struggles with something as basic as shortening pants, not because he can't do it, but because he refuses to take direction. I told him clearly I wanted exactly 2 inches cut off. I had already tried the pants at home with different shoes and was certain about the length. At his shop, he had me try them on, marked them with chalk, and I immediately noticed the mark looked shorter. When I asked how much he was cutting, he said 3 inches. I told him no, 2 inches, but he got annoyed and told me to "let him do his job." After some back and forth, I thought we finally agreed, but when I picked up the pants, he had cut 3 inches anyway. To make things worse, he decided on his own that one of my legs is shorter and cut one leg about a quarter inch higher. That's just not true. I work out five times a week, if I were limping, I'd know. I ended up having to toss a brand new pair of pants and buy another one. Bottom line: Armando might be experienced, but he doesn't listen. read more

Worst experience! First time going to Armando. I needed two pair of pants hemmed as they were both frayed at the ends. I showed him exactly what I needed done by flipping the frayed edges underneath for a clean line. He ended up sewing matching colored ribbon above the fray and leaving it that way without truly hemming the pants. When I came back the next day to pick them up, it was clear that he had a very different idea of what "hemmed" is. He then proceeded to blame me for not being specific enough and was quite flippant and rude to me. I asked him to take the ribbon off and redo the two pants, hemming them for a clean line which is what I showed him the day before. When I came back the following Monday to pick them up, he indeed took the ribbon off but did not do the hem and left them as they were when I initially brought them in the week before. I asked him why he didn't finish the job and he just gave me attitude and told me that he did it right the first time. What's sad about all of this is that I think he may have dementia. He didn't remember me and had no idea where my pants were the day after I initially dropped them off and met him. This was after he kept talking to me about his family, namely his deceased son and showed me pictures of more of his deceased relatives on the wall. It was all strange. His negative and ornery attitude also sent off alarm bells. After three visits, having to go to the bank to get money as he only accepts cash and ending up with the exact pants I had brought in not being hemmed, I left feeling gaslit and with time wasted. It may be time for Armando to retire and enjoy the rest of his years not being in public service. read more

Armando is an excellent tailor and a very kind man. He has altered many of my clothes perfectly. I have tried several other tailors in San Rafael - and he is the best- efficient and economical. I just presented him with a big challenge. I had a pair of designer overalls with snaps that failed. The designer offered to refund my money because she couldn't fix it. Armando did and he didn't charge me to do it. He is the best! read more

I had a couple of suits and shirts that need tailoring after I lost some weight. Armando is a true craftsman of this trade. The alterations were all done wonderfully and the value was very good. I would highly recommend his work. read more

DO NOT let your young adult daughter go there alone. Mine just called me sobbing telling me how Armando kept grabbing her and telling her to kiss him and he kissed her neck while she tried to get away. He presented as very courteous and professional when we went in there together, but left alone with a young woman he is a different person. Beware. read more

I will return here for my next alteration even though I didn't have my piece tailored. I truly appreciated the tailor not wanting to compromise the detailing on my dress & passing on altering it. His knowledge around how something is constructed and what is possible was impressive. He could've warned me, charged a ton and taken the job but he would not. His integrity has earned my respect and I look forward to working with him down the road. read more

Armando is the best. He does great work fast. Nicest guy. Did a killer job on a dress for me and a homecoming dress for my daughter. I have a laundry basket full for him next time... read more

Not only is Armando a delightful human being, but he's an expert tailor. He really knows his craft and I won't take my things to anyone else now. Highly recommend! read more

I brought in 2 pants to be shortened. Everything seemed to go smoothly in the measurements with Armando. I wore the dress shoes I was planning to wear with the pants and put on a belt to hold them at the desired place on my waist. Picked up pants 2 days later. Tried them on at home and put on the same shoes and belt. They were way too short. I could see my socks. I tried to make them work by pulling them down but I realized I was forcing the issue. So I decided to go back in to ask if he could drop them a little. He had left 1.5" extra fabric, so I was hoping there was enough length to adjust his hem line. He was immediately defensive when I came in. He agreed they were too short (you could see my ankles) but then told me told me I must have moved when he measured. He agreed to fix them right then. The entire process only took about 10 minutes for each pant. I tried one pair on and asked his opinion. He said they were too long now. ? See pics. I accepted that and said fine, sensing his anger and defensiveness, and knowing the pants were beyond repair. The second pair turned out even worse. I asked him if he thought you should see my ankle and he went on about being in business for 45 years and had never had this happen, admitting to the mistake. Then he wanted to charge me $25/pant for the fix! He only accepts cash and I didn't have $50 on me. So I told him the pants were basically ruined and I couldn't wear them but he could keep them. (Seriously, I was willing to walk out in my underwear.) He just walked away and sat down at his sewing machine ignoring me so I just left - with my pants on thankfully. Weirdest alteration experience I have ever had. I think he needs to retire at this point. read more

Alterations by Armando - This a pair of pants AFTER he lowered his hem line by another inch - Sewing & Alterations Near Me - San Rafael, California

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Armando is a star seamstress/tailor/genius. The quality of his work is exceptional (my mother, RIP, was a designer/tailor for high fashion so my standards are the ones I grew up with which I consider high). Professional and very kind, a rare find these days. Armando is the best well kept secret of Marin. Highly recommend without reservations. Epic dude. read more

I bought a few pair of paints that needed tailoring. After searching on Yelp for a tailor, I stumbled upon Armando. Armando tapered and hemmed some pants to meet my height and body type. The pants are perfect! The best part is he had them ready the next day, despite being told they would be ready in five days. I recommend Armando for quality tailoring. read more

Armando has a solid 5 star reputation here and it's earned through quality work and customer service. First, he is a man of high moral character. I completely forgot about my leather jacket for over a year. I was traveling in Europe where my phone wasn't working and then our home was being renovated. Everything was packed up and I thought my treasured 20 year old leather jacket was packed away. Then, I remembered I had left it with Armando for repair of the lining, which was torn and worn out in several places. I called and he still had it. He had tried to call me several times, but I never got the message due to my phone problems. He hadn't started work on it because he couldn't reach me with the quote and he still had the jacket there. I stopped by and approved the work and now my jacket is repaired like new. The work is excellent; you can see the care that Armando put into it. He follows the maxim "a job worth doing is a job worth doing well". I highly recommend him and will be using him again in the future. read more

Armando's studio is located in Suite 9 of 1000 Fifth Avenue offices: above The Museum of International Propaganda, at the intersection of Fifth Avenue and Court Street in San Rafael. Armando has been tailoring and doing alterations for 40 years, used to work for Wilkes Bashford in San Francisco and knows his trade. He was courteous, professional and happy to explain how my suit could be successfully altered to improve the fit - and what simply wouldn't help (and why). He also made a small alteration to correct the hem length of my pants by 1/4-inch while I waited, after I tried on my suit and he noticed an issue. His studio has good light, a fine sound system and a decent sized changing booth in the corner (heavy curtains). Armando did fine work on my suit for a wedding, the alterations only took 3 days and cost $40.00. It was a pleasure to benefit from an experienced professional taking obvious pride in their work. read more

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Armando did amazing work altering my suit. He is incredibly knowledgeable and professional. I highly recommend him.

I went in Friday to get two dresses altered - I told Armando I needed the dresses back by Wednesday. He told me he would need it to be later in the day to finish but he'd call wednesday to give me an estimate of cost and when to pick them up. I never received a call and when I called no one answered. I leave for a trip tomorrow that the dress was for and now I have no way to get ahead of him and no way of getting my dresses. Armando, if you're seeing this please call me!!!! read more

Armando is great! I called Armando one week before my best friends wedding and asked him if he can alter my bridesmaid dress. He asked me to come in to the shop the same hour and gave me suggestion on what to bring (heels). The shop was very clean and organized. Armando took my measurements when I got there, told me what he was going to do, told me the price, and said I could pick it up in 3 days. Got it back and it fit perfectly. read more

Armando is the best! He handled the alterations for my bridesmaid dress in just a couple days and the dress turned out beautifully. His pricing is very fair as well. read more

Armando is a real tailor and does a fabulous job at a reasonable cost. I would highly recommend Armando for your tailoring needs.

No nonsense, professional and great work! Took my sons for the normal suit tweaking (sleeve and pant length). Armando was quick and assuring to reluctant 14 yr old boys. They looked amazing at the event we purchased the suits for. I know they'll keep looking great until they out grow the suits. That said, Armando wisely left room for growing boys, so we'll be back when the time comes. read more

Armando Is one of the most kind, professional, and outgoing person that I've ever met. His work is incredible but he doesn't treat you just like a number he treats you like a real human being and cares about the clothes that he works on for you. In today's world post Covid where customer service is absolutely horrible, This is where you want to go to not only get great service but be around a great human being. Thank you Armando for the tailoring and for the great conversation and memories! read more

I have been looking for a good tailor for ages, I selected Armando by the reviews. Not only did he have a creative solution that turned out beautifully, but I really enjoyed talking to him. He has decades and decades of experience, he is a craftsman. Thank you Armando, I am so pleased to have found you. read more

I just had 5 suit trousers altered by Armando. I went with him solely based on his reviews after being consistently disappointed by other San Rafael and Greenbrae 'experts.' His work was impeccable and on time. He is thoughtful, articulate and extremely reasonable. I recommend him without reservation. read more

I had an awful experience with Armando with my wedding dress . He was rude . He did poor work . Took no accountability . Raised his price without prior warning . I would never recommend him. read more

Armando did a great job with altering the sleeve length on my blazers (one with lining, the other without). Service was courteous, professional and very fast (he was done in two days). He accepts cash and check only. I would definitely recommend him for alterations. read more

I rarely write reviews but Armando deserves all the recognition. My Jenny Yoo Bridesmaid dress was big on me it really needed to be taken in but I didn't want to spend the money to do it. I agreed to pay just for the hem and to adjust the straps. Armando surprised me with taking it in so it fit absolutely perfect!!! This wasn't a easy dress to take in either it was a floral dress with 3 layers. He did this for me free of charge because he knew that's what I really wanted. What an amazing man, highly recommend his services. read more

If you need alterations done beyond hemming your new jeans (which can be done as well), I would recommend Armando. I had him help me re-fit a couple of suits (in the right direction :)), which included remaking the jacket and pants. Suits fit great, price was fair, and he's a good guy to do business with. read more

Armando is the man! He does quality work at great rates and is super friendly. He is also extremely knowledgable, and does a good job explaining the little details. I use him to tailor my men's dress shirts and jackets, and I couldn't be more pleased! read more

Took two suits to Armando after reading the reviews on Yelp. He turned them around quickly, made them fit me well, and did it right! From the minute I walked in, he was warm and welcoming. It's very clear that he knows what he's doing. He made me feel comfortable immediately; we chatted, he explained what he'd do and how. When I picked the suits up, he remembered my name before I had the tag for the pickup ready. The suits now fit wonderfully. I'm taking any business I have to Armando from here on out. Can't say enough for him, he's great. read more

I needed an urgent alteration to the suit for my wedding. Armando really came through in a pinch. I'd love to see what he can do if given appropriate time. Highly recommended read more

What a very nice man! I needed some pants hemmed before I left for Paris and brought them to Armando who had them ready, with a smile, the next day. I will definitely be back should I need any other alterations. Remember the entrance is up the back stairs to the top floor, turn left and follow the signs. read more

He does such a good job! His prices are super reasonable and he's honest when he doesn't think something will work. And he gets creative when he thinks there's a way!! read more

After reading the reviews on Yelp, I called Armando to arrange a time to bring my son in to get a suit we'd bought for his 8th Grade graduation adjusted. Armando offered to meet us on a Saturday morning and it only took ~5 minutes to take the measurements. We had the pants hemmed and the length of the arms shortened slightly. We picked up the suit yesterday and it fits perfectly! Armando is very proud of the quality of his work - and it's such a pleasure to find someone with his attention to detail. Thank you Armando! We will definitely be back! read more

Being a strong believer in "first impressions are lasting impressions," I take great pride in my attire and expect my tailor to do the same. Armando performs flawlessly and tailors my clothing to perfection every time; which is why I've been coming to him for the past 5 or so years for everything from whole suit alterations to simple hemming of slacks. He's a master of his craft. And on top of that, he's a great conversation! Give Armando a try, and you won't regret it. **I've only brought men's clothing to him, but I'm sure he does just as well with women's clothing. read more

Excellent, professional, friendly, reasonably priced, and I was saved money by being informed I did not need a repair I thought I needed. Armando cut a couple of things and handed it back to me. Voila. Very honest. Highly recommended. Thanks. read more

Always gives me great service and is very reliable. Will definitely be going back after COVID

Great guy, fast, reasonably priced. Simple alterations to pants but I'll be taking more complex stuff to him now.

Armando is the best. Perfect stitching and unbelievable knowledge of the way clothes are constructed-- he's even saved me a lot of money by advising me not to do alterations that just won't work. He's also friendly and easy to communicate with-- which is not the same experience I've had at other alteration places. I won't bring my clothes anywhere else! read more