You don't need Stacy and Clinton of "What Not to Wear" to tell you that expertly fit and wonderfully maintained clothing is one of the top secrets of the truly well dressed. But that doesn't mean that you should drop off your favorite clothes or shoes with just anyone.
That's why we've compiled a list of some of Seattle's finest wardrobe service professionals, based on the recommendations of local shopping experts and shopkeepers.
In our guide, you'll find expert tailors who can tackle a range of alteration needs, shoe repair shops to keep your favorite kicks kicking, and personal shoppers and wardrobe consultants, because it would be nice to have a little help looking your best without those two trashing everything in your closet on national television.
ALTERATIONS & TAILORS
Adam Tailoring and Alterations
206 S. Jackson St., Pioneer Square [0]
206-621-1171
For quick alterations done dependably well, consider Be Nguyen at Adam Tailor. Adam Tailor is the go-to place for drive-by sewing jobs, says Lei Ann Shiramizu, a local shopping writer and owner of International District boutique MoMo [0]: "See Be for fast, inexpensive hems."
Alterations & Reweaving Center
1601 N. 45th St., Wallingford [0]
206-632-8791
You won't find slipshod work at this shop. Stylish local writer Sheryl Wiser reports that the experienced proprietress Phyllis Brown was "very up front about what she can and can't do. I had a coat I wanted altered. She talked me out of doing anything because the cost would be exorbitant -- she's got a great eye."
Isaac Burstyn, Baby & Co.
1936 First Ave., Downtown [0]
206-448-4077
Isaac Burstyn has been a tailor for more than 60 years, and he's a wiz when it comes to complicated European design, as well as men's suiting. He does all the Baby & Co. alterations (his son is the owner), but he happily works for outside clients, too. According to Baby & Co. manager Jill Donnley, Burstyn is the quintessential "old world European tailor. There's no one like him. He is a master."
Judy's Custom Alterations [1]
720 N. 35th St., Suite 202, Fremont [1]
206-633-0406
If your jeans happen to be magical traveling pants that flawlessly fit everyone who wears them, then you don't need to worry about alterations. But if you're like the rest of us, there's Judy Laguerre, who can tailor almost anything, probably because she cut her teeth on the hard stuff: leather. She's particularly wonderful at altering denim. According to Wiser, "Not only did she hem my jeans to nirvana, she fixed my beloved leather coat. She's busy though -- so if you're in a rush, don't be!"
Superb Custom Tailors
323 W. Galer St., Queen Anne [1]
206-283-7777
I, a sew-less in Seattle shopping writer, once tried to hem my own pants with iron-on adhesive Stitch Witch. By the time I got to the office, my hems were dragging across the curb. I now bring all my tailoring to Misook Chung. In this past year, I brought an Armani cashmere shirt and Target track pants to Superb Custom Tailors, and Chung did a beautiful job on both, providing exceptional, friendly service and seams so perfect you'd think they were sewn by witchcraft.
PERSONAL SHOPPERS & WARDROBE CONSULTANTS
Cambria Cox
206-250-5467; cambriacox@comcast.net [2]
If you're new to the personal shopping experience and want someone who will gently walk you through the process, consider Cambria Cox. MoMo's [2] Shiramizu says Cox is "the nicest wardrobe person around, great one-on-one, and someone who will work with what you have and make it fresh and age-appropriate while steering you in a new direction."
Darcey Howard, Lifestyled [3]
877-862-7297; darcey@getlifestyled.com [4]
Darcey Howard is so darn likable and passionate about helping people discover their best look that even if she told you to chuck everything in your closet, you would. But she won't do that. She's a pro at helping her clients achieve their style goals using their existing wardrobe. Plus, she's happy to shop with you and for you. Oh, and guys, don't be scared to contact Howard. She offers a special consultancy for men, and promises not to "metro-size" you into a clone of Ryan Seacrest.
Darcy Camden [5]
206-349-3401; shopperdarcy@gmail.com [6]
Eric Dolan, sales floor lead at Oslo's [6], thinks personal shopper Darcy Camden, who works with clients all over the city, is the ultimate virtuoso. "She shops with clients; she shops for clients. Darcy is great at making her clients happy because she understands them so well. She's a true pro."
Rebecca Luke [7]
206-324-4851 (Seattle); 646-588-5846 (New York City); info@lesegoistes.com [8]
Oslo's [8] Dolan recommends personal stylist Rebecca Luke for several reasons. "She has impeccable taste, she knows the best local stores, and most of all, she seems to have great rapport with all her clients," he says. Luke happens to be an expert at eco-fashion, so if you're concerned about your carbon footprint, give this green stylist a ring. (Though perhaps as an eco-stylist, she's more chartreuse.)
SHOE REPAIR
Broadway Shoe Repair
815 E. Republican St., Capitol Hill [8]
206-328-9496
Hang around Broadway on Capitol Hill and you'll notice there are as many types of shoes as there are people. Likewise, Broadway Shoe Repair is the prefect place to bring just about anything that needs fixing. According to Seattle Bride editor Ali Basye, "The guys at Broadway Shoe Repair are the best. They are cheap, fast and do an awesome job. They reconstructed my ripped sandals! And they do the shoes for the Seattle Opera and different theater companies."
Johnny's Ballard Shoe Service
5510 22nd Ave. N.W., Ballard [8]
206-783-2991
The owner and sole employee of Johnny's, Tony Cunningham, is a serious perfectionist, so your shoes will look as good as new -- if not better -- after he's done. (No, you're not confused: Tony's place is called Johnny's.) Dog and shoe lovers will fall for this place even if they mix up the name. Local shopping writer Jen Harper [8] coos, "Tony's service is great, plus his Weimaraner shop pup, who's always sitting in the doorway, is so sweet."
Ramuta's
609 Stewart St., Downtown [8]
206-622-5800
John Lee, wizard of the well-heeled and Mario's [8] men's footwear specialist, likes Ramuta's because "they really specialize on servicing higher-end, great-quality product. Plus, they're very honest with their service: If they can't do it, they'll tell you upfront. And they always give 110 percent when it comes to servicing their clients."
Swanson Shoe Repair
2305 N. 45th St., Wallingford [8]
206-633-3434
Like good friends, good shoes you love are hard to come by -- and even harder to replace. Especially your favorite boots. Thanks to Swanson Shoe Repair, you won't have to. Courtney Packard of Belltown (and Bellevue) shoe boutique Shoefly [8] gives them a big thumbs-up. "They're one of the few places that will fix zippers on boots, and that's rare," she says.
Copyright © 2009 The Seattle Times Company
