No matter how cool or expensive your outfit is, if it doesn’t fit you properly, it can ruin the whole vibe. A jacket that’s too loose or trousers that bunch up in the wrong places can turn a great look into a total letdown.

That’s why getting the right fit matters. Sometimes, that means bringing in a tailor to work their magic.

If you’ve figured out your clothes could use a tweak or a full-on transformation but aren’t sure where to go, you’re in the right place. Our team explored tailoring shops across New Zealand to find the best of the best. 

Keep reading to know more about them.

1. Vinny The Tailor/Sabé Bespoke House

Vinny doesn’t rely on pre-set patterns or shortcuts. Every garment is hand-cut and hand-finished. Everything is built from the ground up to suit the client’s body, posture, and even personality.

His eye for proportion (especially in lapels, collars, and shoulder structure) is also impressive. We’re surprised he considers details like your jawline or how a certain tone of navy complements your skin better than another. 

It takes time, though. It’s about 4 to 6 weeks for the first fitting and another 2 to 3 weeks for the final result. So, no, this is not for someone who needs a suit by next Friday. 

He seems to move at the speed of craftsmanship, not convenience. But if you’re patient, the payoff is big. 

We also liked that he educates. Clients told us he walks them through fabric choices, explains how lapel styles work, and even gives tips on how to take care of their clothes.

His ability to breathe new life into older pieces is another standout area. We heard from clients who brought in vintage designer suits or garments and were amazed at how he reworked them into something current and flattering.

Highly recommended—I’m already looking forward to my next visit

“Until recently, I had never needed the services of a tailor, so I felt a bit of trepidation as I stepped into the hallowed halls of high-end gentlemen’s fashion. To my great surprise and delight, Vinny was the epitome of gracious professionalism. He made me feel genuinely welcome, offered expert guidance, and transformed my inherited bespoke Dolce & Gabbana three-piece into a beautifully fitted masterpiece. Highly recommended—I’m already looking forward to my next visit.”

Shane Clapson, Google review

My partner’s suit looks superb on him

“Stunning premises, just visiting is an experience in itself! I have not had clothing altered myself, but enjoyed popping in with my partner, who had a suit altered. It looks superb on him, and we enjoyed chatting with Vinny and drinking the beautiful coffee he served us. I will definitely be back!”

Marieke Esveld, Google review

2. Unstitched by Navi

Unstitched by Navi is run by Navi. She’s a certified fashion stylist with over 14 years of experience, and it shows in the way she approaches tailoring.

Her studio handles a surprising mix of stuff. From what we’ve heard, she’s big on altering wedding dresses, so we expected that’s all we’ll be seeing. But she also works on jeans, jackets, trousers, and even curtains.

People rave about how she’s able to tweak complicated dresses or vintage pieces with precision. One person mentioned how Navi altered a multi-layered wedding gown, and it came out looking like it was made just for them.

She’s also easy to work with. She listens, gives honest feedback, and doesn’t try to upsell you on stuff you don’t need.

Something we really liked is that she does walk-ins, but can also come to your place. It’s very helpful if you’re mid-event planning or just don’t feel like lugging five garments across the city. 

That said, we’d suggest booking early. She seems to get busy. 

If you need a reliable and talented tailor, Navi is the one!

“Navi is incredible! I’ve been going to her for all my tailoring needs for a while now, and she nails it every time. I first went to her to put the finishing touches on my wedding suit, and she really did a fantastic job of making it look perfect. Now she is my go-to, whether it’s hemming, altering, or any custom work; her results are always spot-on. She’s super friendly and makes you feel right at home. If you need a reliable and talented tailor, Navi is the one!”

Nico Lender, Google review

10/10 experience!

“10/10 experience! I’ve taken a few things there now, and the experience has always been wonderful. Navi has helped me with clothing alterations such as hemming, shortening, altering dress sleeves, and tailoring my partner’s suit jacket. Communication is always fantastic, and deadlines are always met. Can’t recommend more highly!”

Laura Adlam, Google review

3. LookSmart 

LookSmart is great with formal wear. Wedding dresses, suits, gowns—they handle it all, even the delicate, slippery fabrics most people won’t touch.

We came across someone who had a custom bow tie made for a wedding. The customer brought their own fabric, and they turned it into something worth keeping forever.

Speed is another win. Most standard alterations are ready within 24 hours. If you’re in a hurry, they offer an express service too. That’s a lifesaver if your pants rip the night before a work trip.

From what we gathered, this pace doesn’t come at the expense of quality. In fact, many people mentioned that garments are double-checked before pickup. They make sure invisible stitching, clean lines, and overall symmetry are up to scratch.

They also offer comprehensive consultations at the start. Their tailors talk through what’s needed, assess the garment’s structure, and suggest different ways of approach. 

That said, one area where they receive some criticism is pricing. Several people described the quotes as much higher than what other tailors in the area charge, even for relatively simple jobs. 

After searching far and wide, it was Looksmart that came through

“Looksmart Albany custom-made the bow tie for my wedding. After searching far and wide for a particular colour to match my theme, it was Looksmart that came through. Their ability to listen and take on board any and all ideas and then also make suggestions based on their expert knowledge resulted in a beautiful bow tie that I’ll hold onto forever. You just have to provide your own fabric 🙂 thanks again”

Nikita Hughes, Google review

They are very professional and the workmanship is great

“I have used LookSmart Albany always for my alterations; they are very professional, the ladies are all a delight to interact with, and the workmanship is great. I do not consider going anywhere else, I am a satisfied customer.”

Mate Paunovic, Google review

4. Wendy and Tom Tailoring and Clothing Alterations

Wendy and Tom Tailoring can create entire garments from scratch or even rework an old piece into something completely new. Think of it like wardrobe surgery, with a bit of style and soul. 

They also handle complex and delicate materials. We noticed several mentions of their work on lace, beaded detailing, and leather.

A customer talked about how they saved a wedding dress disaster just two days before a destination wedding. The bridal shop messed up the measurements, and Wendy and Tom pulled off a miracle.

They also offer a pick-up and drop-off service, which is super convenient. 

You send them photos of what needs work, they give you a quote, and then they pick it up from your place. When it’s done, they drop it back off. It’s a huge help for people who are caught up in their busy lives. 

But before you send them your entire wardrobe, their pricing can be on the higher end. If you need basic stuff done, you might find cheaper options elsewhere. Wendy and Tom shine when the job is complex or the garment is special. 

Kind, welcoming, and friendly and go above and beyond to help their customers

“Wendy, Tom and their staff are brilliant tailors; they have been altering my clothes for 7+ years. They are always kind, welcoming, and friendly and go above and beyond to help their customers. Their prices are very reasonable and I could not recommend them more highly!”

Henry Blackwell, Google review

Highly recommended!

“Highly recommended! I had a long maxi dress designed for someone much taller than me, and Wendy was able to shorten the dress from a couple of different places. You would not know it had even been altered. She did an incredible job.”

Ruth Holt, Google review

5. Luxura

Luxura is all about personal service, clean design, and getting the fit just right. They offer tons of services, including embroidery, alterations, and dry cleaning. But their made-to-order suits seem to be their biggest strength.

A customer had a groom’s suit that needed very specific adjustments due to a medical implant. They customised each sleeve differently to match his body. 

The cool part about Luxura is you’ll be paired with a stylist who helps you design your suit from scratch. You pick everything from fabric to cut, and they guide you through the process. 

There are over 3,500 Italian fabrics to choose from. It sounds overwhelming, but we’re told the team is good at helping narrow things down.

The tailoring process usually takes about five weeks. So, if you’ve got an event in two weeks, give them a heads-up. They can work fast, but miracles need some warning.

You can also scroll through their past work online. Their lookbook is very helpful if you’re not sure what to go for.

That said, their pricing is a bit on the higher end. But considering their quality of service and everything that’s included, we think it’s fair. 

Highly recommended and will come again for all future alteration needs

“Took in a pair of pants that needed altering and was super happy with the service! The tailor was friendly and patient and had my altered pants ready in less than a day. Highly recommended and will come again for all future alteration needs.”

Yvonne Ruan, Google review

Did an amazing job on my son’s suit

“Highly recommended, brought my son’s suit in to be altered without any material being removed. You did an amazing job & pricing was within my budget, very reasonable compared to other places – Thank you.”

Molly Letoa, Google review

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