Anyone who has ever attempted to make a garment quickly understands that the most important element of the final product is how well a garment fits. Tailoring is the art of designing, fitting, fabricating, and finishing garments. The word “tailor”, which first appeared in the Oxford Dictionary in 1297, comes from a French word—tailler—meaning “to cut.” The Latin word for tailor was sartor, meaning someone who patches or mends garments; the English word “sartorial”, for something related to tailored garments, is derived from this word.
The art of tailoring dates to the early Middle Ages. Some of the earliest tailors were linen armorers by trade, meaning they created custom, padded linen garments that were worn under chain mail to protect the wearer from the chafing associated with heavy armor. From this occupation, the earliest tailors guilds were born in Europe. Tailoring began to diversify in Western Europe, between the 12th and 14th centuries. Before this time, garments were generally made from a single piece of cloth and were created for the sole purpose of covering or concealing the body; individual style was of no particular interest to a garment’s maker or wearer.
During the Renaissance, the traditional loose robes worn by both sexes began to be shortened, gathered, tightened, and sewn together in shapes that resembled the actual human frame. Before this, clothing was not purchased; everything was made in the home, which meant that those who had more skill with needle and thread were well ahead of the game by the time that personal style began to emerge. Once people began to desire clothing in certain styles, for different body types, or in unique patterns, the demand for skilled tailors emerged. The fact that tailors existed at all reveals that attitudes about clothing were changing. Clothes were now more than necessities; they were a way for people to express themselves, project their status, and show off what they considered to be their best features. In other words, the emergence of tailors is proof that fashion was developing as a concept.
By the 1100s, a tailor was considered a legitimate occupation. King Henry I gave royal privileges to Taylors of Oxford in 1100. The London Guild of Taylors and Linen Armorers were granted royal arms in 1299. In France, the Tailleurs de Robes received a royal charter in 1293 and in 1588 all French tailors (from linen armorers, to robe makers, to hose makers) were united under the single banner of Maitres Tailleurs d’Habits.
From its earliest days, the trade of tailoring was taught by apprenticeship, where a master tailor instructed an aspiring tailor via practical experience. Apprentices were trained in molding woolen cloth to the shape of an individual’s body. Once this process was mastered, the apprentice tailors could show their style and skill by adding aesthetic elements—creating designs and silhouettes that emphasized the wearer’s best qualities.
Most shops were owned and run by a master tailor, who was the face of the business and who cut out most garments. The way each master tailor cut out those garments created his signature style. As tailor shops grew, more fabric cutters were hired and trained in the style of the master tailor; these cutters fell below the master tailor in the staffing hierarchy. Beneath the cutters were journeyman tailors who were responsible for some of the less exacting parts of garment making—like adding padding, sewing linings, and pockets and (eventually, after a bit of training) adding sleeves and collars to garments. At the bottom of the hierarchy were the apprentices, who were responsible for keeping the shop clean and running errands; once those tasks were complete, they could take time from their day to learn the basics of sewing. Before the adoption of the sewing machine in tailor shops, some garments might require more than one tailor to a garment, at the same time. Many would sit side-by-side or facing one another with legs crossed. In French, the cross-legged way of sitting is still called “assis en tailleur”, or “sitting in tailor’s pose”.
Because of this apprentice-style of teaching, no written manuals for tailoring existed for hundreds of years after the occupation appeared. The first English-language manual is The Taylor’s Complete Guide, which was published in 1796. After that, several influential guidebooks followed, including Compaing and Devere’s Tailor’s Guide in 1855 and E.B. Giles’ influential History of the Art of Cutting in 1889. This manual was reprinted for decades and is a kind of time capsule into the evolution of 19th century techniques.
Today, the word “tailor” generally refers to someone who creates custom men’s clothing. Bespoke tailors are among the most respected people in the garment industry. Bespoke, meaning custom, are garments made-to-measure for one specific client. The word “bespoke” indicates that the garment is “spoken for” and not for sale to the public. England emerged as a hub for bespoke tailors and, since the turn of the 18th century, Bond Street, Savile Row, and St. James Street in London’s West End have been known as places to find elite, traditional tailors. Though even traditional tailors continually update their looks to fit modern styles, the oldest labels famously keep their signature elements, developed by the original master tailor. (For example, Huntsman—founded in 1849—still favors a one-button suit; Bernard Weatherill—founded in 1910—has a house style with a fuller chest, a tribute to its history as a riding clothes outfitter to King George V.)
And although tailoring is now more closely associated with menswear than with women’s wear, top women’s designers were once trained in tailoring techniques, as well. Iconic fashion designer Alexander McQueen, who was known for his impeccable garment construction, began his career as a tailor’s apprentice on Savile Row. Modern garment construction, for both men and women, often cuts corners when it comes to more precise tailoring details, both for practical and financial reasons. That is the beauty of creating your own “bespoke” garment, tailored to your own body.
At Alabama Chanin, all of our garments are made to order. This process ensures that we produce only what is required, saving natural resources. A stock of base materials is kept on hand and through our manufacturing process, nothing goes to waste. Customization is among the many benefits of lean-method, or made-to-order manufacturing. We offer the complimentary service of adjusting hemlines along the sleeve and body up to 3” furthering our sustainable business model and expanding our guest services. Visit our Collections to explore our styles and note hemline adjustments at checkout. Connect with our team to learn more about opportunities to further customize fit and learn more about our commitment to responsible production, sustainable practices, and thoughtful design on AlabamaChanin.com.
Founded on the ideas of cultural preservation through education, The School of Making—the educational arm of the Alabama Chanin business—has maker materials, sewing notions, patterns, books, workshops, and resources available to support makers in developing their hand-sewn wardrobe. Become a modern-day tailor’s apprentice, using all materials available—including online tutorials on Craftsy and Creativebug, or the books in our Studio Book Series—particularly Alabama Studio Sewing Patterns. Learn more about The School of Making and its initiatives here.
P.S.: If you purchase a class from the links on our website, we will earn a small commission from the product purchased through that link. This commission supports our business and helps us stock our 100% organic fabrics, pay our employees a living wage, and allows our teams to continue to design and create the products that you love. What might seem like a small gesture can go a long way for our business, so thank you.
Wonderfully informative article! Thank you!
And in that vein … have you heard about Phoebe Gormley … http://www.gormleyandgamble.com … who has taken Saville Rowe by storm?!!! So much talent and beauty there! And the fabrics that line the jackets … all gorgeous!
Thank you as always for the in depth writing about so many subjects … always inspiring!
I took dressmaking, millinery and tailoring at Stephens College. What I should have also taken was pattern making. I am a plus size and though I have made some AC garments for my petite daughter-in-law, have been afraid to tackle tailoring the patterns for my own clothing. I have all four of your books and have purchased the Craftsy course for the Donna Karan embellished coat. I just can’t put my scissors to the fabric. This article is inspiring. Maybe I can make the leap.
At the top of this article are two large black metal handled objects, can you tell me what those are called?
Thank you,
Michelle
A most entertaining article, if somewhat inaccurate when talking about fashion and clothing before 1100. Are you really trying to tell us that Cleopatra and her court or Duke William of Normandy (better known as William the Conquerer in England) and his court, had no interest in fashion or style. In projecting their status by their clothes. In dressing to their best advantage. In addition to not buying clothes from traders who specialised in supplying such items. Human nature has always taken an interest in how we present ourselves to others, and to imply otherwise is to deny this trait. All clothes were unique and individually made until the advent of mass standardisation in the late 1850s.
Wow! Great info., thanks! I always loved the idea of the apprenticeship system. I think I would have enjoyed being an apprentice in tailoring or pottery or rug-making or tent- making!
Michell, those are tailor/dressmaking pattern weights. Professional garment manufacturers don’t use pins to hold the pattern to the fabric, they use weights. If you google ‘tailor/sewing/dressmaking pattern weights’ you’ll find a lot of different types. Those shown are commercial weights.
Thank you for sharing this. It’s interesting to think of the arrival of tailors as the actual beginning of fashion, but it makes a lot of sense. There was no need for people to professionally alter clothing until it was in high demand, and now there’s an entire industry behind it.
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Very informative
Well written article, an exposé of the art of tailoring.
Wow! I really admire the valuable information you have been able to share us through this post. Thanks for such post and keep it up.
Thank you, Declan! We also share the history of pattern making here: https://journal.alabamachanin.com/2016/05/history-of-patternmaking/ and the history of silhouettes here: https://journal.alabamachanin.com/2016/06/the-history-of-silhouettes/.
Well said and it’s all true I lived in it for the last 45 years
Great article! Both my mom and dad are tailors, however for some reason I didn’t pick up their passion. Still I’ve always had an interest in their world and its history, so I’m developing my master thesis around the topic of tailoring and bespoke tailoring. I’m having a hard time finding names of tailors that in some way left a mark in the history of tailoring and pattermaking, people that enriched this art and have shaping it to what it is today. I’m already looking into Juan de Alcega, Rose Bertin, Charles Frederick Worth and Vincenzo Attolini, but I’m wondering whether you could help me out on the search? Any tips or people from the past I should research on? Thank you very much.
Do you know who wrote The Taylor’s Complete Guide? I can’t find any reference to it other than this article.
Here is a link to more info from the Yale library: https://brbl-dl.library.yale.edu/vufind/Record/3445354
Says it was created by: Allen and West, bookseller.
Also, this https://www.amazon.com/complete-comprehensive-analysis-Containing-profession/dp/1170209432 and this https://books.google.com/books/about/The_Taylor_s_Complete_Guide_Or_a_Compreh.html?id=F4gtNQEACAAJ
Happy reading!
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I appreciate this history
Thank you, Gloire.
hello
Wow! It’s helpful
You are very welcome, Abisola. Happy sewing!
Hi all,
When talking about the Renaissance, which time period are you referring to? the Renaissance period is 1300-1600, but you then go onto talk about how it changed in the 1100.
I’m using the article to back up research for an essay and just need this clarifying.
Thanks!
This was exactly what I was looking for, thank you! Nicely written.
Thank you, Sue! Best of luck with your sewing projects.
Good
Thank you!
Good
Thank you, James.
Interested to know more…nice web site
Thank you!
In many written articles on tailoring similar comments are written, and they focus on London and the gentry, or on Paris the changing fashions.
My concern is with humbler folk, working men and women, tradesmen. from 1715-1815 I am researching a family of tailors from Birmingham who made a very good living from tailoring. Very few entries for them are found in Trade Directories, and no apparent membership of a tailor’s gild.
I suspect they made their money very nicely from the everyday needs of people like themselves – their neighbours included butchers, cabinet makers, coffin makers and the like.
Do you have any information about these types of people. Did they do all the work themselves or would they have employed piece-workers for all the component jobs like button holes, seams, etc.?
Thank you
Interesting – and useful, thanks (I am researching for a book on wool).
One point though… it is Savile Row, only one L in it.
rb
Hi Revel,
Thank you for the comment (and correction). Best of luck with your research!
I want to reference this article as I found it very interesting! Do you know the person/author that wrote this particular article, I can’t find it anywhere.
Hello,
Thank you for the kind words about this story. The article should be credited to Alabama Chanin and was written for the Alabama Chanin Journal in 2016.
Hi there,
are you able to cite academic sources on the historical info? That’s extraordinarily fascinating and I would love to learn more.
Interesting, will love to know more
It’s interesting to know that Alexander Mcqueen started out as a tailor which explains his expert craftsmanship in constructing perfectly fitted garments. Personally, I’d always like clothes that looked tailored to my body, so I’d like to try going thrift shopping and having my vintage finds altered. I wonder how much basic alternations cost these days.
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I like that you mentioned how the apprentices were at the bottom of the ranking, who was accountable for keeping the shop clean and running chores; once those tasks were complete, they could take time from their day to learn the basics of sewing.
We are looking for an alteration we can visit for our suits alterations project, and we want to ensure we choose only the most suitable ones. I’m glad I came across your writing and read tips about selecting a tailor.
I will show this to my partner to see how this can help us decide what to consider when choosing a suits shop.
Love 💕 the design my dear
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