Alterations Prices, Appointments, & Lead-times
Pricing Guide
Every dress, suit, or other item is unique – just like you! Prices depend on things like:
Fabric (satin, lace, tulle, silk...)
How it’s made (stitching, lining, boning, corsetry)
Embellishments (beads, embroidery, appliqué)
Suit structure (interfacing, padding, canvasing)
For an accurate price, email some clear photos of your item – front and back – and let us know what you’d like done.
For example, if it’s the hem you want changed, pop in a few extra pics of the inside and outside of the hem, plus the circumference around each layer (if it’s multi-layered). That helps us give you the most accurate price!
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Wedding Dress Alterations
Simple sleeveless satin dresses start from £75
Fully beaded, embroidered couture gowns can reach £1,000+
Taking in a dress averages £120
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Suit & Jacket Alterations
Shorten sleeves:
– Unlined: from £25
– Lined (e.g. Italian cuffs): £45–£200Take in back: £25–£100
Shorten jacket: from £45
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Trouser & Jeans Alterations
Shorten: £12.50–£40
– Based on circumference and finishTaper legs: £20–£50
Take in waist: £15–£50
– Varies by fabric, construction, and details -
Evening Dress Alterations
Hem Shortening (per layer)
From £15 (basic)
£20–£500 for outer layers (depends on fabric, circumference, pleating, and finish)
Average: £45 for outer layers | £65 for lined/structured dresses
Taking In (sides or bodice)
From £20–£150
Average: £35
Straps, Zips & Repairs
Strap adjustments: £15–£65 (average £25)
New zip: £25–£45 (average £25)
Repairs: £5–£100+ depending on detail and structure (average £15)
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Curtain & Upholstery Alterations
Please contact for a quote.
The price depends on the measurements of the curtains. You can email a picture with dimensions and what work you like to be carried out to: alma@brightonalterations.com -
Skirts
Take in waist: £15–£65 (avg. £25)
Shorten per layer:
From £15
Top layers: £20–£300
Average: £25 unlined, £35 lined
Zip Replacement: £15–£40 (avg. £15)
Wedding Dresses and Suits
Suit alterations typically take 2–4 weeks. For wedding dresses, we recommend booking 9–12 weeks in advance of your big day—though we're always happy to accommodate urgent requests whenever possible.
Any other clothing alterations
For other chic alterations, use our mini shed or book for a quick measure. Ready in 7-10 days, a bit longer for fancy tweaks.
Repairs
Got repairs? Drop them in my min-shed and give me a buzz. We'll sort it in 7-10 days, faster if it's super urgent. Happy styling!
Things You Might Ask
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Every garment is unique, so pricing varies based on the complexity of the work, the fabric, and the construction. As a guide:
General Repairs: Start from £5.
Trouser & Jean Hemming: Starts from £15.
Suit Alterations: Start from £40 for simple adjustments.
Wedding Dress Alterations: Start from £75, with most falling between £250-£550. For a precise quote, we recommend booking a free 15-minute consultation.
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All fittings are by appointment only to ensure we can give you our full attention. You can book a consultation by clicking here, or by calling us at 07955 751896.
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Timelines vary by service:
Wedding Dresses: 9-12 weeks is ideal to allow for multiple fittings.
Suits & Jackets: Typically 1-3 weeks.
General Clothing: Usually 7-10 days. We offer express services for urgent requests, so please contact us to check availability.
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To ensure a perfect fit, please bring the exact shoes and undergarments (including any shapewear) you intend to wear with the garment. This is the most critical step for achieving the correct hemline and silhouette.
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Yes please! Upfront payment helps us confirm your order and give it the care and attention it deserves.
Wedding & Formal Wear
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Certainly. As the official recommended partner for Wed2B in Brighton, we have extensive experience tailoring gowns from all retailers. We are experts at resizing dresses, even up or down multiple sizes, to achieve a perfect couture fit.
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Absolutely. We are experienced tailors and understand all bridal and formalwear fabrics, including French lace, silk, satin, chiffon, and crepe. We specialise in working with intricate details like hand-beaded bodices and fragile vintage materials.
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In most cases, yes. High-quality gowns typically have generous seam allowances that allow them to be let out by one or two sizes. Taking a dress in is also very achievable. We will assess your garment's specific construction during your consultation and advise on the best solution.
Specialist Alterations
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Yes, we specialize in this. We frequently adjust suits and trousers for clients who need more room in the shoulders, back, or thighs while maintaining a sharp, tapered waist and a clean silhouette that doesn't restrict movement.
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Yes, we offer an original hem (also known as a "Euro hem") service that preserves the factory finish of your jeans—so they keep their original character and value while being shortened to your perfect length. Just check with us first to make sure it's suitable for your garment.
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This is our special service where we transform a sentimental garment—perhaps a parent's coat or a vintage wedding dress—into a new, cherished keepsake. We can create memory cushions, christening gowns, or other beautiful items that preserve the emotional value of the original fabric.
Read more here
