Luxury Clothes Alterations London
Hems, adjustments, re-lining, and tailoring by skilled hands — with in-house tailors at every studio and collection across London.
A garment that fits correctly lasts longer, looks better, and is worn more often than one that does not. BLANC provides clothes alterations and repairs in London carried out by skilled tailors who treat alteration as craftsmanship. In-house tailors are available at every BLANC studio for walk-in consultations, fittings, and direct drop-offs, handling everything from a trouser hem to a full jacket restructure.
The difference between a good alteration and a bad one
A cheap alteration takes a garment in or up and returns it. A good alteration considers how the change affects the whole garment. Shortening sleeves on a jacket is not just cutting and re-hemming — it changes where the button sits relative to the cuff, and if done without adjusting the proportion, the jacket looks wrong even though the length is right.
A skilled tailor assesses the garment as a structure. Taking in at the waist means redistributing the fit across the side seams, the back panel, and the darts so the garment sits evenly when worn. A tailor who takes in only the side seams creates a fit that pulls at the front. The work is invisible when it is done well. The mistakes are visible immediately.
Fit as maintenance, not vanity
A garment that pulls at the shoulder puts stress on the seam with every movement. A trouser hem that drags catches underfoot and wears through. Sleeves that are too long crease permanently at the wrist. Each of these accelerates the ageing of the garment. A proper alteration distributes the fit evenly, which means the fabric bears weight and movement without concentrated stress at any single point. Alteration is maintenance, not vanity.
Hems, sleeves, linings, and everything in between
- Hemming and lengthening. Trousers, skirts, dresses, and coats adjusted to the correct length for your height and the shoe you wear with them.
- Taking in and letting out. Waist, bust, and body adjustments. Letting out depends on the seam allowance the manufacturer left — some garments have room, others have almost none. We check before committing to the work.
- Sleeve and shoulder adjustments. Shortening, cuff rework, and shoulder repositioning on jackets, coats, and structured garments.
- Re-lining and structural repair. Worn linings replaced, split seams repaired, and the internal structure of tailored garments restored. A jacket whose lining has given up is not finished — it needs re-lining, not replacing.
- Zips, buttons, and fastenings. Replacement and repair. A coat with a broken zip is a coat that is not worn.
- Wedding and occasion wear. Specialist alterations for gowns, suits, and occasion wear — hemming, taking in, bustle additions, and repairs to lace and beadwork. Quoted individually because the construction varies enormously.
Cleaning and alterations under the same roof
Most tailors do not clean. Most dry cleaners do not alter. The client shuttles a garment between two services and waits twice. BLANC handles both. A suit can be taken in at the waist and cleaned in a single visit. A dress can be hemmed and returned freshly pressed. For garments collected from your address, the alteration and the cleaning happen together and the piece comes back ready to wear — adjusted, cleaned, and finished.
This is not a small convenience. It is a structural difference. The tailor who alters a garment and the team that cleans it work in the same operation, with the same standards, on the same timeline. The garment does not sit in a queue at a second provider.
Alteration consultations across all studios and at the Atelier
Every BLANC studio has an in-house tailor available for walk-in consultations and direct drop-offs. Bring the garment and the shoes you intend to wear with it — trouser and dress hems are set to a specific shoe height, and the fitting takes place on the day.
For bridal fittings and wedding dress alterations, the specialist Bridal Studio is at Chelsea, 85 Lower Sloane Street, SW3. Chelsea tailoring hours are Tuesday to Saturday, 10am to 6pm, but appointment is necessary.
For garments collected from your address, the work is carried out at the BLANC Atelier at 16 Gorst Road, NW10 6LE, which houses the largest tailoring room in the operation. Collected garments are altered and cleaned together in a single process and returned to your door ready to wear. Schedule a collection at blancliving.co or call 020 8004 2630.
| Repairs | from |
|---|---|
| Resew button | £3.50 |
| Replace button | £4.50 |
| Repair seam or tear (< 4 cm & no fusing) | £7.00 |
| Repair moth hole (small : 2mm max) | £7.50 |
| Repair moth hole (medium: 2mm to 5mm) | £12.00 |
| First Hole Invisible Mending | £49.00 |
| Invisible Mending (per Additional Hole) | £19.00 |
| Tops | from |
|---|---|
| Shorten Sleeves (no cuff) | £25.00 |
| Take in side seams | £35.00 |
| Elbow patches (supplied by BLANC) | £40.00 |
| Knitwear | from |
|---|---|
| Shorten Sleeves (basic finish) | £40.00 |
| Take in side seams | £40.00 |
| Repair moth hole (small : 2mm max) | £7.50 |
| Repair moth hole (medium: 2mm to 5mm) | £12.00 |
| Shirts | from |
|---|---|
| Shorten sleeves with cuff | £35.00 |
| Take in sleeves | £24.00 |
| Take in side seams | £32.50 |
| Take in back darts | £22.50 |
| Shorten hem | £25.00 |
| Jackets (suit jackets) | from |
|---|---|
| Shorten sleeves from cuff (no lining, no buttons) | £32.50 |
| Shorten sleeves from cuff (with lining + buttons moved) | £40.00 |
| Lengthen sleeves (with lining) | £45.00 |
| Taper sleeves (with lining) | £45.00 |
| Narrow shoulder | £55.00 |
| Lift shoulder | £60.00 |
| Take in centre back | £45.00 |
| Shorten jacket hem (with lining) | £50.00 |
| Shorten sleeves from shoulder | £70.00 |
| Coats | from |
|---|---|
| Shorten sleeves from cuff (basic, no lining) | £45.00 |
| Lengthen sleeves (without lining, no buttons moved) | £40.00 |
| Lengthen sleeves (with lining, no buttons moved) | £45.00 |
| Shorten sleeves from shoulder | £77.50 |
| Taper sleeves (with lining) | £50.00 |
| Narrow shoulder | £60.00 |
| Lift shoulder | £66.00 |
| Take in centre back | £50.00 |
| Shorten coat hem (with lining + vents) | £60.00 |
| Trousers alterations | from |
|---|---|
| Shorten/lengthen (basic) | £25.00 |
| Shorten/lengthen (with turn ups) | £27.50 |
| Take in/let out waist (no lining) | £30.00 |
| Take in seat | £25.00 |
| Taper to knee | £32.50 |
| Taper full legs | £42.50 |
| Repair pocket (full new) | £35.00 |
| Patch crotch (1 side) | £25.00 |
| Jeans | from |
|---|---|
| Shorten hem (topstitch) | £20.00 |
| Shorten with original finish (binding) | £25.00 |
| Take in waist (C/B only) | £35.00 |
| Taper full leg | £45.00 |
| Patch crotch (one side) | £15.00 |
| Dresses/Skirts | from |
|---|---|
| Shorten / lengthen hem basic (no lining and hem <1m) | £30.00 |
| — If delicate fabric (lace, silk, chiffon) | add £20.00 |
| — If dress or skirt opening | add £30.00 |
| — If wide dress or skirt (>=2m + per metre) | add £5.00 |
| — If dress or skirt lining (loose) | add £10.00 |
| — If dress or skirt lining (closed) | add £25.00 |
| — If uneven hem | add £5.00 |
| — If marked pleats | add £20.00 |
| — If very small pleats | add £20.00 |
| — If trim to be placed back | add £20.00 |
| — If zip to be removed | add £25.00 |
| Dress lengthening (add facing) | add £10.00 |
| Take in / let out side seams or centre back | £35.00 |
| — If delicate fabric (lace, silk, chiffon) | add £10.00 |
| Insert/ replace zip (basic) | £45.00 |
| Shorten straps (very basic) | £18.00 |
| Evening Dresses | from |
|---|---|
| Shorten /lengthen dress hem (no lining and hem <1m) | £45.00 |
| — If delicate fabric (lace, silk, chiffon) | add £20.00 |
| — If dress or skirt opening | add £10.00 |
| — If wide dress or skirt (>=2m + per metre) | add £45.00 |
| — If lined | add £30.00 |
| — If dress or skirt lining (loose) | add £25.00 |
| — If dress or skirt lining (closed) | add £30.00 |
| — If uneven hem | add £10.00 |
| — If pin hem | add £20.00 |
| — If marked pleats | add £50.00 |
| — If very small pleats | add £30.00 |
| — If trim to be placed back | add £30.00 |
| — If zip to be removed | add £35.00 |
| Dress lengthening (add facing) | add £15.00 |
| Take in / let out side seams or centre back | £35.00 |
| — If delicate fabric (lace, silk, chiffon) | add £10.00 |
| Lift shoulders (plain) | £40.00 |
| Insert/ replace zip (basic) | £45.00 |
"The best experience I have had in London for alterations! Such a lovely and accommodating team. Lumi did a fabulous job of altering dresses and trousers for my wedding extremely last moment, I can not thank her enough!"
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
"We have been a client of BLANC Marylebone since the first day and we have consistently been impressed with the high quality service, capable and friendly staff and going above and beyond to satisfy their clients. I cannot recommend Blanc highly enough and what's more to love than having a toxic-chemical free clean! 5 stars!”
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
"Couple of weeks ago, I went out with my boyfriend and a glass of wine ruined my dress. But guess what, Blanc proved me wrong! When I got there to pick up my dress it looked as good as new. The staff is always smiling and extremely polite. I recommend this place to all my friends.”
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
"Awesome! These guys do an amazing job, they are eco-friendly, not expensive and really convenient. I received an e-mail when my clothes were ready to be picked up. Good to go!"
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
FAQs
Simple work — a hem, a button replacement — is usually completed within three to five working days. More complex alterations such as re-lining a jacket, reshaping a structured dress, or adjusting a wedding gown may take one to two weeks depending on the garment and the detail involved. Turnaround is confirmed at the consultation. If you have a deadline, tell us when you book.
In most cases, yes. Taking in is straightforward because it works with the available fabric. Letting out depends on the seam allowance left by the manufacturer — some garments have generous allowances, others have almost none. A tailor assesses what is possible during the consultation and advises honestly before any work is agreed.
Bring the garment and, if relevant, the shoes you plan to wear with it — trouser and dress hems are set to a specific shoe height. If you want the piece to match the fit of another garment you own, bring that too. Wear the undergarments you would normally wear with the piece for an accurate fitting.
Yes. Wedding gowns and occasion wear are handled at the specialist Bridal Studio at Chelsea. Hemming, taking in, bustle additions, and repairs to lace and embellishment are all covered. Occasion wear is quoted individually after inspection because the construction and fabric vary significantly between garments.
Yes. Because BLANC handles both under the same roof, alterations and cleaning are combined in a single visit or a single collection. The garment is altered, cleaned, and returned ready to wear. For collected garments, the work takes place at the Atelier, where the tailoring room and the cleaning facility operate together.
