Considering tailoring

So I probably won't do this anytime soon due to financial constraints, but in assessing my wardrobe it occurs to me that I would like to at some point locate and take advantage of the services of a tailor. I've been wearing my lovely new camel-colored wool coat quite a bit lately, and I love how chic and polished it makes me look. The only problem with it is the belt. On a size two coat, the belt is longer than I am tall. I have to wrap it twice around myself to make it fit, and the belt holes are so far behind that I can't really buckle it properly. I have no idea why anyone would make a coat with a belt like this. Heh, maybe it was a design flaw and that's why it was marked down fifty percent. But I would love to have it shortened so that the damn thing is a little easier to pull on and off.

That got me thinking about another item I have that could benefit from tailoring. Recently I inherited a beautiful rust-red suede blazer from my mother, a very stylish, classic piece that I would love to be able to wear. The gorgeous material alone makes me love it. Unfortunately it is a medium, and cut for a taller woman than your somewhat diminuitive friend Phoebe. It just looks kind of silly if I try to wear it as is. But if I found a good tailor that brought it in a bit, it would look absolutely fantastic on me and I would wear it all the time.

I've never had anything tailored before; it always seemed unneccessarily expensive or not worth having the item at all, but these things are nice enough that I think it would be worth it. I should go visit a good tailor and at least get an estimate. I remember Jared had a good experience getting his leather slacks hemmed by that little shop off of Moody Street just behind Asian Grill. I'm sure these services are priced on a piece-by-piece basis, but does anyone know from experience how much it might cost to have the belt shortened on a wool blend coat, or a suede jacket taken in?

No more cardigans

From the people who brought you the hate-on for Uggs, here's another rant on a bad fashion.

I hate cardigans. Nobody should wear cardigans.

Men mostly don't wear cardigans, but the ones that do are unbearable. I know old man sweaters are what all the hipsters are wearing these days, but they look so, so stupid. Because make no mistake, they look so dated on guys that even actual old men don't wear them anymore. Only hipsters who end up looking like dicks.

Women are the real guilty ones, though. On women, cardigans are dowdy and aging. I know people say they make you appear polished if you wear them in a twinset, or dressy for dressy occasions, or more appropriate in button-down situations like church or an interview or dinner with the new SO's parents. But all they really accomplish is to make you look boring and prudish. The statement they make is either, "I am a modest older woman who thinks they make me look neat and presentable when in fact they signal I have given up any idea that I am still attractive," or "I am a shy girl who is uncomfortable with myself, and probably dressed by my mom with the intention of keeping me a Good Girl." Even if you see a really attractive woman in a cardigan, it'you never think the cardigan does anything to make her look good, she's still pretty in spite of it. They only encourage you to look dull, dated, and unsexy. I don't care if they're modest or work-appropriate or even warm. There are so very many more attractive options that do all of those things. Hell, there are so very many more sweaters that are more flattering and just as warm and polished.

Please, people. Boys, you'll look like a hipster with no taste. Girls, you will become frumpy and old before your time. Do yourselves a favor. Don't wear cardigans.