The Origins of Tailoring – Do You Love Your Tailor?

Tailoring is one of those rare trades that has been around for hundreds of years and continues to be a go-to service for many fashion-conscious professionals. Tailoring is and has always been a vital service for the discerning fashionista, from the beautifully hand-crafted clothing of the 18th century to today’s red-carpet classics.

Let’s look at how this creative profession has played an important part in history, how technology has driven it to evolve, and why it remains such a crucial secret weapon today with Teeanime.

A Noble Craft

All apparel was hand-sewn before sewing machines. This was primarily by necessity, but tailors welcomed it by having their own secret patterns, which they considered their signature and guarded from competition. During this time, bespoke tailoring was considered important, artful, and noble. As ready-to-wear things weren’t available, almost everyone wore made-to-measure clothes.

Even a simple outfit took weeks to prepare. Each tailor kept his pattern secrets and took pride in the fit and quality of his work. Slow fashion?

The Industrial Revolution Changes Everything

The sewing machine was invented in 1790, and it revolutionized the textile business. The number of individual fittings was suddenly reduced, and mass-production of costumes began. Beginning with a French company that mass-supplied soldier’s uniforms, machine-based garment manufacturers began to emerge.

The concept of “department stores” existed even back then, with vast warehouses in 19th century London, for example, where tailors worked around the clock.

Because military uniforms had to be produced in big quantities, the tailoring business was compelled to learn how to be effective and efficient in mass production. Bespoke tailoring, on the other hand, evolved into a higher-class service, sought after by people who desired a really unique fit and had the money to spend on it.

As sewing technology advanced, ready-to-wear garments that appeared and felt like bespoke pieces became available. Tailoring was no longer a necessity in the 1900s, but it had become something of a luxury for the properly discerning man or woman. When you might expect, as factory-made clothing became more popular, bespoke tailoring became more of a specialized industry.

It fell even more in the 1970s, with the rise of more casual attire and the availability of apparel in a wide range of colors, patterns, and materials.

Tailoring in Today’s World

Tailoring follows the world’s trend cycles. Both men and women, especially executives, are adopting bespoke tailoring nowadays. Celebrities openly discuss their red carpet looks, praising both designers and tailors.

Tailoring hasn’t altered much since the 1900s. Cutting and manufacturing clothing by hand is still a delicate and individualized procedure, and making a bespoke suit can take over 50 hours.

GQ and Esquire have contributed to the popularity of bespoke tailoring, and people are seeing the slight, yet considerable impact a custom-made suit can make. The development of the body positive movement implies greater business for bespoke tailoring. Subtle tailoring on a suit jacket, designer dress, or anything in between may elevate a style and give it your own identity.

Opting for a made-to-measure garment – or something off-the-rack that’s been professionally changed – is the greatest way to get an outfit that’s unique to your style and form and helps you look and feel your best.