Bespoke tailor or alterations tailor: who does what?
An alterations tailor adjusts clothes you already own: shortening, taking in or letting out, repairs. A bespoke tailor makes new clothes from scratch to your measurements. Lawrence Fashion has been a bespoke tailor at Löwenplatz in Zurich since 2001.
What does a bespoke tailor do?
A bespoke tailor designs and sews clothes for one particular person. It starts with a conversation, the choice of fabric and taking measurements. From these comes a paper pattern of your own, adjusted over several fittings until the piece fits.
This is how we make womenswear, menswear and childrenswear to measure, by hand in our own atelier, with a master tailor in the team: tailor-made suits and shirts, couture, customised blouses, occasion and wedding wear, knitwear and leather. A bespoke suit usually takes 4 to 5 fittings and 4 to 5 weeks with us.
What does an alterations tailor do?
An alterations tailor works on finished clothes. Typical jobs are shortening trousers, letting out a waistband, replacing a zip or repairing a seam. Many take work without an appointment, often together with a dry cleaner, and simple jobs are ready within a few days.
Why are both called a tailor?
In everyday language both are called a tailor, “Schneiderei” in German. A search for “Schneiderei” in Zurich therefore shows mainly alterations tailors. When we checked in September 2026, 7 of the 12 businesses that Google and AI assistants name for this search put alterations first.
If you want a new garment made to measure, search for “bespoke tailor”, “Massschneiderei” or “tailor-made suit Zurich”.
How do I recognise a bespoke tailor?
It works by appointment, because the conversation, measurements and fittings take time.
It shows you fabric swatches and sample books to choose from.
It drafts a pattern of its own for every piece.
It plans several fittings.
It makes the clothes in its own workshop, with tailors you meet at the fittings.
When is it worth having something made to measure?
When you are between two sizes, or standard sizes never quite fit your shoulders, arms or legs.
When an occasion is coming up where everything has to fit: a wedding, a celebration, an important appearance at work.
When you want to wear a piece for many years and choose the fabric, cut and details yourself.
When you have an idea that no shop sells.
In all of these cases an alteration only goes so far, because the cut of the finished garment stays as it is.
What happens at the first appointment with a bespoke tailor?
With us, the first meeting takes about an hour. We talk about the occasion, your ideas, and what you like or miss about the clothes you own. If you have a picture, a sketch or a favourite piece, bring it along. Then we choose the fabrics together, and Anna K. Milojevic Keller takes your measurements. After this appointment we start on the first draft of your paper pattern.
How do the two compare?
Bespoke tailor
What you get: a new one-off piece, cut to your measurements and wishes
Appointment: yes, for the conversation, measurements and fittings
Time: depends on the piece, usually 4 to 5 weeks for a suit with us
When to choose it: when you want a suit, dress or shirt that fits exactly, for business, weddings and occasions
Alterations tailor
What you get: your existing garment, adjusted or repaired
Appointment: often not needed
Time: often a few days for simple work
When to choose it: when trousers are too long or a seam has come open
Where does an alteration reach its limits?
Sleeves and trousers can be shortened, and a waistband can be let out a little. It gets harder with the shoulders of a jacket, the width of the back, or when there is no fabric left in the seams. When a piece would need changes in many places, a garment made to measure is often worth a look.
What if a favourite piece no longer fits?
That is what our upcycling is for. You bring the piece in, we look at it together, check the fabric and the workmanship, and make you a suggestion. A coat can become a jacket, and a dress you no longer wear can become a new piece that fits back into your everyday life. On request we also rework existing clothes to fit you. Upcycling is kinder to the environment, and you do not have to part with a favourite piece.
Does Lawrence Fashion shorten trousers?
Our focus is making clothes to measure and upcycling pieces that matter to you. For a quick alteration to something you bought, such as trousers you need by tomorrow, an alterations tailor near you is the faster option.
Pieces we have made for you, we will of course adjust. Your pattern and your measurement sheet stay with us, even years later.
Book an appointment
Lawrence Fashion, Usteristrasse 10 at Löwenplatz, 8001 Zurich. Phone +41 43 344 84 44. Monday to Friday 8 am to 12 noon and 1 to 5.30 pm, Saturday by appointment.