I came here because I needed to get my cheer uniform taken in after it stretched a little bit in…read morethe wash. I just needed it in around the waist and this place was recommended to me by another cheerleader who had the same problem. The service was excellent and the turnaround was really fast. I only had to wait a few days (though I think that I probably could have got it back faster had I told them I needed it; as it was I said I didn't need it for a few weeks so they could take their time). It wasn't particularly cheap (I think it was £18 to get it taken in) but it is something that I can't do and it's quite a skill so I wasn't too horrified.

I chose this tailoring company because I've read a good review on the internet. I was interested in…read moreknowing whether it is true or not. I needed to thighten a trousers on both sides from the knees. That cost me £30 which was a bit too expensive. Besides that the service was excellent, no mistake - I like that kind of work attitude.

Lulu Exclusive Tailoring is about to change hands. Lulu, is returning to Guinea having spent too…read morelong a time away from his family and friends. He has invested the last eight years of his life building up his tailoring business and is ready to sell it. Mrs Khira, a Gujarati in origin, is picking up the mantle, but stepping into Lulu's shoes isn't going to be easy. He's a very personable chap, and I'm sure that his loyal customers will miss him. But Mrs Khira is pretty charming too, and so it won't take forever to win the locals over. My only concern is that she doesn't intend to continue offering a full tailoring service, and instead wants to start off on a simple footing, only offering an alterations service. I guess that this has provided the bulk of the business for Lulu in recent years, or else why would she cut out the tailoring option? She's lived in Cardiff for five years, but has 20 years of tailoring experience under her belt... but I'm not entirely sure whether this is in a sales capacity rather than actually making garments herself... please fill me in if you ever use this shop. Thanks.

I'm not sure that Alterations For U warrants being housed in such a large retail space, but it…read morecertainly doesn't have a great deal of competition in the immediate area... and so may be it does? The fact that they actually perform a lot of the alterations at the shop itself means that a reasonable amount of space is available to them. One thing I love about this shop is that it doesn't beat around the bush. Instead of being coy about prices, they have mounted a comprehensive list of all of the alterations that they do along with the price for each. There are far too many options to mention here, but suffice to say the prices are very reasonable and the scope of what they can do is impressive. They perform alterations for both men's and women's clothing, and they are pretty quick about it too!

Waste of time arrogant staff obviously unknown to the owner, was asked to call back when I took…read moreclothes for alterations as the 2 woman staff were scoffing lunch. Shame on the owners employing staff that don't need/want the business, I had a lot of business to put your way, I went elsewhere

The Fancy Dress Shop on Clifton Street is, as far as I know, the largest shop of its kind in…read moreCardiff. I know of a coupe of others but they are only half the size. There may be one in the city centre that is larger, but I don't like shopping at chain stores and so I tend to give the main shopping streets a pretty wide birth if I can help it. I don't go a bundle on fancy dress parties, and tend not to bother unless I'm under some pretty heavy-duty duress to comply. I have only ever hired a costume once, and considered the whole episode to be a stress-inducing exercise. At least I didn't have to contend with the problem of choosing what kind of outfit to wear... the dress code was pretty strict, and so I was obliged to wear what I was told, (how much fun is that!?) Anyway, what I found stressful was the fact that I had to collect the darn thing and then not spill anything on it when I wore it and return it in mint condition to the hire shop... all very tiresome when you are working full time! I have had cause to use the Fancy Dress Shop however. I used to live and work at a visitor centre near St Hilary where we would regularly host weekend events that often involved performances of differing kinds. For one particular event I was tasked with delivering a number of costumes to the Fancy Dress Shop to be altered as I was one of the few people there that had a car. Once inside, curiosity got the better of me, and I couldn't resist having a good look round. I was really impressed by the stock and would definitely use this shop if I was ever invited to a fancy dress party again... although, if my friends get round to reading this review, I'm sure that the chances of this happening would be pretty slim!

Fancy dress party? Masked ball? Skirt shortened? Nettie will sort it for you…read more Netties fancy dress shop is a second home to circus people, musicians, artists and Cardiff's alternative scene. At night elves work and play here, lights flicker, laughter and music can be heard. Nettie is also the mother of Club Love. As well as being a seamstress she puts on club nights with her 'Spiral brothers' DJ lover in venues around Cardiff and beyond. The recent Clifton street renovations whilst causing a lot of upset seems to have really benefited some businesses and this is one of them. The new Fancy dress shop front looks sparkly and inviting and you can instantly see what's on offer - wigs, novelty, off-the-rail stuff, retro items, alterations and the custom made.

I've used A Pieri many times from simple to tricky alterations. I asked him if there was anything…read morehe could do to patch a very expensive leather coat I had bought with a sample cut out from the front seam. He managed to match the leather and cleverly replace the missing piece in such a way it looked good as new. He's also repaired delicate chiffon tops for me that I wouldn't entrust to anyone else. Very highly recommended.

Ah, dahling. This is where you go if you want to browse a fine selection of well-made suits…read more Set over two floors, Hawkes carries a wide range of suits, shoes, ties, and other accessories for the discerning gentleman. For such a posh shop, the service here is really friendly - I ended up chatting to a fresh-faced young 'in about studying in Tampa for a few minutes, after a gentleman who I presumed to be the manager happily directed me around the shop. If nothing here is to your liking, Hawkes will create a custom suit for you - all you have to do is come in and get measured. It's worth mentioning they've also just made the suits for the Cardiff City team, as well designed custom apparel for other well-respected men about town. Downstairs you'll find a collection of snazzy shoes, with one pair by Jeffery West in black and red leather that only a man with copious amounts of confidence could pull off. Strangely, they weren't priced yet, but the shop assistant told me they'd be priced between £350 and £500. Yikes.

I love Hawkes. To bits. J'adore le Hawkes…read more If you've ever seen How I Met Your Mother, you'll understand what a suit fetish is, and I must admit that I do have a slight one myself. There's just something about a well cut suit that causes all the other clothes to cower under the table in shame. And if Jack Donaghy has taught us anything, there is nothing that can beat a man in a mean power suit. Hawkes, then, is some kind of bespoke Mecca for those of the suit-ishly inclined. The off-the-rack suits are of a quality unmatched in Cardiff. You'll pay a high price for them, but you'll end up getting a suit that will last you until you die, with a fit that, for an off-the-rack suit, is almost perfectly matched to you. However, for the more tailored suit, Hawkes do offer a bespoke service, offering complete customisation of the suit from the measuring stage, to the material selection stage and through to the finished product. If you have a specific set of requirements, Hawkes are happy to provide. Again, you will end up paying a high price for it, but no one ever said style does come cheap.