Find a tailor in Washington, DC
A tailor alters clothes so they fit well, repairs damage, and in some shops makes garments from scratch. People need one for hemming pants, taking in a suit, fitting a wedding dress, or fixing a zipper. A good tailor pins the garment on you, explains what can and cannot be changed, and gives you a ready date.
How many tailors are in Washington?
The Census Bureau counted 7 tailors with employees in Washington, DC ZIP codes in 2023.
Countywide, District of Columbia has 11, or 1.6 per 100,000 residents: fewer than the US rate of 3.1, and 142nd of 163 large US cities per resident.
Another 61 self-employed businesses in personal and household goods repair (including tailoring) are based in District of Columbia, the kind of one-person operation the employer count leaves out.
The ZIP codes with the most: 20007 (4), 20003 (3).
| Businesses with employees (city ZIP codes) | 7 Census ZBP 2023 |
|---|---|
| Per 100,000 residents, District of Columbia | 1.6 US: 3.1 |
| Rank among large US cities | 142 of 163 county count per resident |
| Small businesses (under 5 staff) | 86% |
| Self-employed, District of Columbia | 61 Census NES 2023: personal and household goods repair (including tailoring) |
| Population | 672,079 ACS 2023 |
What do tailors in Washington help with?
- Hemming pants, skirts and dresses
- Taking in or letting out waists and seams
- Suit and jacket alterations
- Sleeve shortening
- Bridal and formal wear fittings
- Zipper and button replacement
- Patching and repairs
- Leather and coat alterations
- Custom or made-to-measure clothing
How do you choose a good tailor in Washington?
- Ask to be pinned or measured while wearing the garment and the shoes you will wear with it.
- For wedding and formal wear, ask how many fittings are included and when to start.
- Ask to see examples of work on suits, dresses or the fabric you have.
- Get a ticket with the work, price and ready date written on it.
- For special fabrics like silk, leather or beading, ask whether they do that work in house.
- Start with a simple hem to test their work before a big job.
Tailors are not licensed as a trade; they need only a normal local business license.
Questions to ask before you hire
- Can this garment be altered the way I want?
- How many fittings will I need?
- When will it be ready?
- Do you do the work here or send it out?
- What happens if it does not fit right at pickup?
- Do you work with this kind of fabric?
Red flags to watch for
- Taking a garment without pinning or measuring you.
- No written ticket or receipt.
- Promising big changes that are not possible, like making a jacket several sizes smaller.
- Repeatedly missing the promised ready date for an event.
What changes the price?
- Type and number of alterations
- Fabric, lining and special materials
- Construction details like beading or a vent
- Rush timing
- Number of fittings
- Custom work versus simple repairs
Get two or three written quotes for the same scope of work; prices vary a lot between businesses.
Questions people ask
How many tailors are there in Washington?
The Census counted 7 tailors with employees in Washington, DC in 2023, plus 61 self-employed businesses in District of Columbia.
How early should I bring in a wedding dress?
Many brides start fittings two to three months before the wedding. Busy seasons fill up, so ask your tailor when to start.
Can a tailor make clothes bigger?
Only if there is extra fabric in the seams. Many pants and jackets have some room to let out. Ask the tailor to check.
What alterations make the biggest difference?
Hemming pants and shortening sleeves to the right length, and taking in the waist of pants or the sides of a shirt, change how clothes look more than most people expect.
Tailors in nearby cities
Tailors in other cities
Sources: US Census Bureau ZIP and County Business Patterns 2023, Nonemployer Statistics 2023 and ACS 2023 5-year estimates. Census industry groups can include closely related businesses. Expert Helper is a free matching service, not a tailor.