Do you alter your cloths after you buy them?

[Dirty Hipsters]

I really don't like most clothing styles these days, and clothing that I do really like, which fits me, tends to cost a lot, mostly because I'm too thin to wear "American cut" clothes. Because of this I tend to buy clothing that fits me, and then alter it in small various ways to make it more pleasing to my own tastes and sensibilities. For example today I found a jacket that fit me really well, but it was one of those jackets that has a huge collar that's meant to be worn with the collar popped, which I can't stand (the collar didn't even have a crease in it to fold it down), so I bought it, took it home, doubled over the collar and ironed a crease into it, then used a couple of pins to pin the collar onto itself. It was a very minor modification but it made the jacket look much better (and by "better" I mean much less douchey).

Anyway, I recently found out that no one else I know does this, and they think it's really strange to alter clothing once you've bought it off the rack. So here's my question to the escapist, do you guys alter your clothing to fit your sense of style better, or do you only buy clothing that exactly matches your style sensibilities to begin with?

 

[piinyouri]

I have friends, online and RL who do this extensively, but I've never been much of a DIY'er. : c

I'm too afraid if I attempted anything I would just ruin a new set of clothes.

 

[Danceofmasks]

Not really, if I don't like something I just don't buy it.
I may be skinny, but I do have a clothes-hangar build, so clothing of my size tends to fit almost perfectly.
Meaning that while there may be some brands of clothing that's difficult to find in my size, I'm never short of options - if I really have to, there's always the expensive shit.

I do occasionally alter accessories, though.
Etching designs into my own jewellery, switching out chains, painting my own masks, etc.

 

[Amethyst Wind]

Mostly I cut off the heels of jeans that I've stepped on and stretched. Haven't really done much altering beyond that. Though it does sound intriguing...

 

[Kasawd]

When I have the money to seriously shop for clothing, I tend to go for clothing that already jives with my style. Damn it, but do I love the designer, Zara.

 

[Goofguy]

Nope, can't say that I do. The only time I tinker with my clothes is to sew holes shut.

 

[Wadders]

Mostly I cut off the heels of jeans that I've stepped on and stretched. Haven't really done much altering beyond that. Though it does sound intriguing...

I don't mean to be rude, but how do you manage to step on the hems/heels of jeans? Are they too long?

OT: Yes, but I don't alter the style. I trust the designers and only buy stuff that suits me and how I like to dress in the 1st place.

Instead, being a tall skinny chap, I often ask my Mother to take button up shirts and polos in at the sides for me. I have wide shoulders but I'm not very broad in the body, so some tops can look baggy unless taken in.

Fortunately she works for Laura Ashley so she knows exactly what she's doing and it takes barely any time at all.

 

[CommanderL]

Nope why buy clothes if you just going to change them why not buy stuff you like I only alter jeans after they get friad

 

[thesilentman]

I don't see a need for me to change my clothes. I'm happy wearing the clothes I do. Just to patch up some holes maybe, but on the whole, I don't see a need for me to really "change" my clothes.

 

[Simonism451]

I sometimes wash them...

 

[Playful Pony]

I modify most of my clothing, mostly because I never seem to find anything 'perfect'. Well, I'm not THAT picky, but it seems every nice piece of clothing that I like has some detail that I don't like, or is missing something that I would like to add. I have a sowing machine so it's pretty simple for me to alter clothing. It's pretty nice to have a relatively unique wardrobe though, and especially nice to get compliments on clothes I've modified/made myself =3. I'm not that good, so I don't make a lot of clothes, but I do know how to make skirts so I have made a couple of those. They are pretty much store-perfect on the outside, because I tend to hide all the rough edges on the inside where they can't be seen X3.

 

[Techno Squidgy]

I frequently patch up my jeans when they start to wear out. I also ripped the sleeves off a hoodie so it fits under my bike jacket. I made a battle vest which I'm currently in the process of acquiring patches for. I also have my motorcycle/riding club kutte.

I tend to modify my clothes based on necessity rather than style, with the exception of the battle vest. I like my clothes to last, and to look lived in.

 

[Yopaz]

I punch holes in my belts sometimes, but that's it. Seriously though, this one annoys me. I have problem finding jeans with a waist size under 28 which means I need a belt to keep them from dropping. Then the belt sizes are usually even higher meaning I need to punch holes in them to make them fit.

Now I agree with most here that I buy clothes that I like thus I wont need any alteration and I suspect that any that I tried to do would ruin the clothes or at least make them look bad.

 

[Boris Goodenough]

Only because I wear it tirelessly until it falls a apart.

 

[Amethyst Wind]

Mostly I cut off the heels of jeans that I've stepped on and stretched. Haven't really done much altering beyond that. Though it does sound intriguing...

I don't mean to be rude, but how do you manage to step on the hems/heels of jeans? Are they too long?

OT: Yes, but I don't alter the style. I trust the designers and only buy stuff that suits me and how I like to dress in the 1st place.

Instead, being a tall skinny chap, I often ask my Mother to take button up shirts and polos in at the sides for me. I have wide shoulders but I'm not very broad in the body, so some tops can look baggy unless taken in.

Fortunately she works for Laura Ashley so she knows exactly what she's doing and it takes barely any time at all.

Basically. I'm reasonably short and I buy for waist size, not leg length. I like my comfort. The heels drag and I step on them. When they get ratty I cut them shorter.

 

[omega 616]

I wear jeans that are slightly too long and end up ruining the hem on the back, so it becomes it grey tatty mess ... does that count?

To be honest I don't put too much into care into what I look like and by extension wear. I like dark colours and black, so I buy only black/grey jeans, dark hoodies and t shirts.

I do have a bright orange hoodie and a red t shirt but that's about it.

The only "customizing" I kind of do, is that douchey thing of putting a t shirt over a hoodie.

I am not arts and crafty at all, too much like fucking around.

One thing I cannot be accused of is being too vain

 

[charge52]

I do occasionally alter certain parts of my clothes, mainly just the basics though, rolling up pants legs and cutting them when they are too big, you know, normal alterations.

Although there is one not so normal, I don't know why I do it, but whenever I get a hoodie, I have a tendency to cut of the entire right sleeve. Is that weird?

 

[sky14kemea]

I used to do it a lot more. I liked to put inside pockets in my coats, so I'd have more room to carry stuff. But I wasn't that great at it so I stopped...

I do sometimes edit minor things to make it fit better. Or add extra buttons

If I had the right fabrics, I'd probably start doing it again.

 

[Amethyst Wind]

If I had the right fabrics, I'd probably start doing it again.

I know what you mean but the price of otter flesh is just outrageous these days!

Always the artists who suffer first, no?

 

[sky14kemea]

If I had the right fabrics, I'd probably start doing it again.

I know what you mean but the price of otter flesh is just outrageous these days!

Always the artists who suffer first, no?

Is it too much to ask for a decent leather store where you can pick out your own animal before they skin it?!? ;_;

[sub][sub]Okay I may have gone too far with that.[/sub][/sub]