Tailor

Tailors make a range of made-to-measure garments, particularly menswear. They measure customers and give advice about fabrics and designs. Tailors carry out all the tasks to produce finished items, such as pattern making, cutting, sewing, fitting and pressing.

Also known as

• Bespoke tailor

Work activities

Tailors produce made-to-measure, handcrafted garments to order. They also make alterations to items of clothing such as suits and overcoats. Menswear forms the largest proportion of the industry, although there is also a demand for some tailored ladies’ garments. Tailors advise customers on the range of fabrics and styles for a particular item of clothing and take measurements. Once decisions have been made, the tailor makes a quote for the cost of time and materials needed to make the garment. The customer may need to have several fittings before an item is finished. Once the garment has been made-up, it is then pressed. In small companies, tailors are responsible for the whole production process from first measurements to the delivery of a finished item. In larger firms, tailors are more likely to specialise in different areas.

Personal qualities and skills

To do this job well, you need:

• A steady hand.
• To pay attention to detail and be precise in your work.
• A thorough knowledge of fabrics and design.
• Pattern-cutting skills.
• Good eyesight. Your colour vision may be tested.
• Some business skills, as many tailors are responsible for their own book keeping.

Tailoring requires long periods of concentration and is more suitable for people who do not mind working alone for much of the time.

Pay and opportunities

The pay rates given are approximate. Self-employed tailors’ incomes may vary according to levels of work. Salaried tailors can expect to begin on a salary of around £19,000, rising to £40,000 with experience.

Employed tailors usually work 36-38 hours per week. However, they may be required to work overtime at evenings and weekends, especially during busy times. There may also be opportunities to work part-time.

Employers are clothes manufacturers. Opportunities for tailors occur in shops and factories in towns and cities throughout the UK, including tailoring companies in London.

Opportunities occur for experienced tailors to work independently as self-employed tailors, often in family businesses.

What’s happening in this area?

Employment has been in falling for many years within this industry. Women currently fill just over one in five of all jobs in this industry and so are underrepresented.

Where are vacancies advertised?

Vacancies are advertised on all the major job boards, and on the Government’s Find a Job and Find an Apprenticeship services.

Entry routes and training

Entry to this career is usually via applying for an apprenticeship position with a firm of tailors. This is a level 5 (higher) apprenticeship which typically lasts around two years. Another option is to apply to the prestigious Savile Row Bespoke Association (SRBA) apprenticeship scheme. These apprenticeships take much longer and vary according to specialism:

• Four to six years for those specialising in cutting.
• Three to five years for those specialising in coats.
• Two to three years for those specialising in trousers.

These programmes begin at level 2 (intermediate).

Training will be on-the-job with day- or block-release at college and will typically cover things like hand and machine sewing, pattern-cutting and garment construction.

It is very common for tailors to become self-employed. For people working for a company, progress will usually be towards supervisory positions.

Qualifications

For an intermediate or advanced apprenticeship, you need GCSEs in maths and English, although these can sometimes be completed alongside your apprenticeship. You will typically need two A-levels and GCSEs in maths and English to begin a higher apprenticeship. A GCSE or A-level in design and technology (textiles) would also be useful.

Adult opportunities

Age limits: It is illegal for any organisation to set age limits for entry to employment, education or training, unless they can show there is a real need to have these limits.

Practical skills gained using your hands in a skilful way are useful. Colleges will usually consider applications from candidates who do not meet their usual entry requirements. You should check the admissions policy of individual colleges.

Courses in tailoring are run throughout the UK.

Related careers

• Clothing alteration worker
• Costume designer
• Dressmaker
• Sewing machinist