Should You Tip Your Tailor? Here's What Experts Say
Tipping your tailor is an unwritten “fashion rule.”
Having your clothing tailored is one of those service fashion rule s that’s absolutely necessary, but often underrated. Broken zipper on your jeans? A thrifted dress that doesn’t fit quite right? A treasured favorite badly in need of repair? Tailors come in clutch for all the above scenarios and so many more. This begs the question: How much should you tip your tailor, and is a tip even required? The answer depends, but our handy guide on tipping tailors makes it a cinch.
Should You Always Tip Your Tailor?
Tipping your tailor isn’t mandatory or even expected in most cases, but that’s not to say it isn’t very much appreciated. Rhonda Marinoff, a personal fashion stylist based in New York City, calls it an “unwritten fashion rule” of sorts, and says that it’s often in good form to add a little extra on top of the standard fee. This is particularly true if it’s exceptional service—like when your tailor makes complex alterations or they come in clutch at the last minute.
How Much to Tip Your Tailor
It’s not a requirement to tip your tailor. However, if you'd like to tip then a good rule of thumb is to aim for 10% to 15% of the total alteration cost. You can also follow this simple tailor tipping guide:
Standard Tailoring: $0 to $20
This includes quick fixes like addressing hems, tears, zippers, and minor fit adjustments. If you want to show gratitude, a tip of $5 to $20 (or more for complicated work) is a nice gesture. Otherwise, a great review, word-of-mouth referrals, or bringing repeat business can be just as valuable.
Holiday Tipping Etiquette: “If you use a dressmaker regularly, an extra appreciation gift during the holiday season is a wonderful gesture,” Marinoff says. The amount is up to you, but anywhere from $25 to $100 is a great place to land.
High End Stores: $0 to $100+
Tipping a tailor is usually not expected when having your garment tailored at a high-end store since alterations are often baked into their pricing structure. However, if you receive exceptional service—like last-minute alterations, extensive custom work, or extra attention to detail—then tipping is a kind gesture.
Bridal: $20 to $100+
Tipping a bridal tailor is more common than tipping a regular tailor, especially for intricate gown alterations. While tipping your tailor still isn’t mandatory in this case, it’s a simple way to shows appreciation of their skill and effort. The more complex the work (or if it required a quick turnaround), the higher the tip.
Exceptions to the Tipping Rule
The only exception to these general tailor tipping guidelines is if you’re not happy with the work. “If services were not satisfactory and the dressmaker was not willing to try to improve on the service, no tip would be appropriate,” Marinoff says.
In this case, being honest with the tailor is important. Marinoff says, “The fit of a garment is almost as important as the garment itself. A poorly fit garment can ruin the most gorgeous garment. The right length of a dress, fit of bustline, waist placement, sleeve and shoulder fit, etc. should lay perfectly—every small detail counts.”
That said, if you find an exceptional tailor who always nails it or is a collaborative partner, then it’s worth keeping them around and showing them gratitude through tipping. Marinoff says, “A great dressmaker on your team is essential!”
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