Meticulous | Creative | Precise | Methodical
A Bespoke Tailor is a qualified artisan who produces tailored garments that are cut and made for an individual. They work with great precision to a high standard of excellence. Bespoke Tailors need to be precise, creative, and highly skilled in relation to garment construction.
What would you do?
A Bespoke Tailor works closely with a Bespoke Cutter, as a team they create the tailored garment stage by stage, conducting fittings with the client along the way. The Tailor is responsible for assembling the garment, preparing the garment for fittings, amending the garment construction, completing final alterations and hand finishing the garment.
Day to day tasks
- Basting and stitching garments
- Preparing garment for fittings
- Making alterations
- Pressing and hand finishing garments
Top Tip
A Bespoke Tailor can specialise in different areas for example trouser making or coat making.
Where would you work?
A Bespoke Tailor is usually based in a workshop within a tailoring house. The workshop is often attached to a shop where the tailoring service materials and accessories are displayed and business and fittings take place. The workshops are usually well lit, and contain specialist equipment, mannequins and a cutting table. There are many tailoring houses across the UK and some offer a travelling tailor service, giving employees the opportunity to work abroad, particularly in cities such as New York, Paris and Milan.
What would you be paid?
Typical working week
Average pay
For a typical working week of approximately 39 hours:
- A trained Bespoke Tailor salary is on average £24,000 to £30,000 per year
- An experienced Bespoke Tailor salary is on average £30,000 to £50,000 per year
Pay rates vary depending on experience, location and the size of the company. Additional benefits may include company discounts, pension and health care. Many companies offer overtime and bonuses in order to meet deadlines.
Will you need qualifications or training?
To become a Bespoke Tailor an intensive programme of training is required. This career typically starts at apprentice level and the length of training varies depending on specialisms, 3 to 5 years is recommended for those specialising in tailoring coats and 2 to 3 years for those specialising in tailoring trousers.
An Apprenticeship in Bespoke Tailoring and Cutting gives an excellent grounding and professional experience in bespoke tailoring roles.
Qualifications and short courses relating to this job role are offered by a number of awarding organisations and training providers.
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What are the career prospects?
With experience, a Bespoke Tailor could become a Head Tailor within a tailoring business, develop a new business or become self-employed, working on a freelance basis. Alternatively they could move into supervisory roles, production management or training.
Why work in tailoring?
The UK has a well earned reputation as the home of tailoring with British tailors dressing everyone from royalty to rock stars across the world. Tailoring is an industry steeped in tradition and heritage and in it’s nature is a part of the slow fashion movement.
Training to work as a skilled craftsperson is extremely demanding. There are many specialities within the trade from coat makers to cutters and hand finishers. Savile Row is a world renowned centre for tailoring but there are exciting opportunities across the UK.
Imagery with thanks to The Tailoring Academy, Kathryn Sargent & Samuel Brothers.
Wage information correct at date of editing, March 2023.