I would like to share my recent experience with you about SF Tailors. Many of us who buy and wear high end designer clothing will surely understand and relate with me on this subject. Generally, when we purchase clothes of the rack, it will require some type of alteration whether it be shortening a hem or taking in or letting out a seam.
Therefore, it is crucial that it is in the hands of a qualified, skilled and experienced person who specializes in all aspects of tailoring and alterations.
I purchased a new Dior Homme black blazer in a lightweight wool suiting. It is a classic tailored blazer - single breast, notch collar and fully lined. It required some minor alterations, the sleeves needed to be shortened 1/4" and the blazer length by 5/8"
I called upon my tailor-alteration specialists who works at a reputable retail establishment only to discover that he had retired. He is in my opinion, the last of dying breed in this industry. He took pride in his work and it showed in his workmanship. So now the process of finding a new tailor of the same caliber becomes a challenging situation. Where does one begin?
As referred by a friend, I decided to take it to SF Tailors located in Union Square.
I brought my blazer in and introduced myself to a woman named Sally, (co-owner) and told her that she was highly recommended. She was busy with a customer who was being fitted for shortening a pair of jeans. I sat and watched Sally work on the customer, she seemed self-assured and efficient.
She made me put on my blazer and we both agreed that the sleeve and the blazer lengths needed to be shortened. She pinned, marked and noted the adjustments and wrote up the invoice and told me when it would be ready.
As scheduled, I picked up the blazer, paid Sally the 105.00 and said I would like to try it on. My immediate reaction was satisfying, the changes were subtle but it made a difference. I thanked her and left.
That evening, as I was dressing for a casual night out in jeans and a tee, I slipped my arms into the blazer and immediately felt something awkward rubbing against my forearms. I turned the sleeves inside out and was dismayed at the crude and amateur method they had used to finish the garment. One each sleeve lining, the forearm seam from the wrist to the elbow level, the seam allowances were folded together and machine stitched from the outside forming a stiff ridge. I checked the finishing on the jacket hem and it too was poorly executed. The hem of the jacket was not finished by hand as it was originally, instead it was sewn by machine except for the small opening which was sloppily tacked together.
The next day, I called Sally to express my dissatisfaction with the finishing of my blazer and that the sleeve lining seams felt uncomfortable on. She made a cynical comment about why I didn't wear a shirt with a jacket. I explained to her that the workmanship was not up to the original production standard and that she took short cuts to eliminate any type of hand work and had no regard for maintaining the original construction. It was not up to par for the amount she charged me and I wanted it repaired. Her response was I should have specified what I wanted and that is considered extra custom work. I told her it was not my position to tell her how to do her job. It goes without saying, that you don't make critical changes to a garment and it should have been sewn and finished like the original. I told her that I had similar work done before and it was perfect just like the way it was intended to be. Her voice became increasingly louder and telling me that I did not know what I was talking about and that in the 15 years of business no one has ever complained about them. (please refer to past reviews) Little did she know that I am a pattern maker by profession with 25 years experience. She began verbally berating me, repeating louder and louder that this is how its done, there is nothing they can do about it and that was it. I responded by telling her that her behavior was unprofessional and the next thing I realized, she hung up on me!
The purpose of a lined garment serves several purpose. First, it visually looks good from the inside out and it conceals all the seams and inner construction. Second, it should feel smooth and comfortable to the wearer. My main complaint is the shoddy workmanship and little regard for the integrity of the original construction that one expects from a well made expensive garment. They compromised the quality, while deceiving the customer to make a quick buck. This is unconscionable trade practice.
Therefore, my only recourse here is to post this review on Yelp. They are incapable of detailed work that requires true tailoring. Please reconsider doing business here. read more